Helen Muse Brown

Helen Muse Brown, 99, died peacefully and went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 4, 2019. A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Winnie Muse and was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert Clifford Brown. She is also preceded in death by her brother, Fred D. Muse, Jr., sister, Ruth Henderson, and sister, Melba LaManna. Helen developed a love for music at an early age which led her to play piano for concerts, church, and later for many services at WNC Baptist Retirement Home. Helen was Valedictorian of her high school class. After graduating from junior college, Helen continued her education at UNC-CH, UNC-A, and in later years the Continuing Education program at UNC-A. Helen was a life-long Methodist and an active member of Central Untied Methodist Church for 62 years. She was a 50 year member of the Chancel Choir, member and officer of United Methodist Women, a life-long member of the Administrative Board, pianist for her Sunday School class, and a member of the Deborah Circle. Helen and her husband were members of WNC Methodist building teams in the Caribbean area. Helen was the Spanish interpreter. They served in Paraiso, Panama; Monterrey and Acapulco, Mexico; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bahrona, Dominican Republic. Also after retirement she and Cliff traveled to many foreign countries. While in Egypt she climbed the steep steps inside the tallest pyramid in Egypt. One of her most memorable experiences was being baptized in the River Jordan. Helen was a member of the National Society Daughters of American Revolution, serving as Regent, Vice Regent and Chaplain. Helen was a past PTA president, she was an active member of the International Toastmistress Club and was Council 5 President of the North and South Carolina Blue Ridge Region. She was a President of Zonta Club, and member of Asheville Community Theatre and Old Buncombe Co. Genealogy Society. She received the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Assn. Distinguished Member Award. She worked for the Federal Government for 38 years. Helen will long be remembered for her kind and gracious spirit. She openly professed many times that God had blessed her with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends. She instilled in her children good moral values, and taught them the value of perseverance, independence, compassion and charity. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on January 15, 2019 in the Patton Avenue Chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Rev. Billy Honeycutt officiating. Burial will take place at Green Hills Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends 6:00 - 8:00 PM January 14 at Groce Funeral Home.