Obituary for Mary Brown
Mary Ingrid Brown
March 3, 1940 - May 9, 2022
Mary Gnauck Brown (born March 3, 1940) of Greenville, SC passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022. Not
one to sleep often due to having too many things to do, she ironically departed this world peacefully
during a morning nap. She never really cared for Mondays that much.
Born in El Paso, Texas, she was the daughter of Bob Gnauck--a Navy man and World War II veteran--and
his adoring cowgirl wife, Myrl. Mary spent her youth in El Paso as well as the family ranch in Hillsboro,
New Mexico where she learned to rope and ride. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in
Mathematics and English at The University of Texas at El Paso, where she was a Duchess in the Sun
Bowl. She then earned a Masters in English and Counseling at Furman after moving to South Carolina to
start her family. Her professional life was devoted mainly as an educator teaching math and as a
guidance counselor beginning in the 1960s at high schools Wade Hampton, followed by Christ Church,
and Riverside, and then on to Bryson Middle School after which she retired.
We are quite confident Mary came into this world riding a tornado. She spent her 82 years on this earth
with an efficient vigor. The final 30 years were with her loving husband and companion Andy Brown of
Chattanooga, TN to whom she was married for 20 years. Andy and Mary spent most free moments
touring the world, but the last 15 years touring North America in their motor home, affectionately
named The Queen Mary. The list of where they did not go was quite short. Her time always included
adventure whether touring model train museums or finding the funniest name in a Coon Dog Cemetery
in Alabama. During their travels they spent much of their time doing volunteer work, ranging from
building homes for Habitat for Humanity or spontaneously heading to the devastating tornado recovery
in the Midwest. Both voracious readers, Andy and Mary never missed an opportunity to return to
Greenville to help with the Friends of the Library sales at which time they fit in time for family and
annoying doctors appointments.
Surviving Mary are her husband, Anderson (Andy) Brown Jr. of 20 years; sister, Gretchen Frasier (Cline)
of Vancouver WA; brother, John Gnauck (JoAnn, decd) of El Paso TX; sons Erik Busby (Emily) and Leif
Busby (Mary Claire) of Greenville, SC from prior marriage to Joseph (Joe) Busby; five grandchildren,
whom she adored, Leif Wilson Busby, May Busby, Joseph Busby, Cecily Busby and Julia Busby; stepson,
Andy Brown III (Lisa) and step granddaughter, Savannah Brown of Charlotte, NC; and nephews, Fred
Frasier, Walt Frasier, and Cliff Frasier.
Mary took an interest in nearly everything and everyone she encountered, whether it was friend (of
whom there were many) or foe (of whom there were none claimed). With her grandchildren, she was
intentional about teaching life lessons and sharing moments of levity, and to them she leaves a great
legacy. They always knew when she pulled in that there were jellybeans in their future and a well-embellished
story of days of yore. With her sons, she was a mother whose wooden spoon was not to be
tangled with in the early years but later appreciated for the strong, independent woman she had always
been. She was indeed a role model to them by any standard.
She will be missed, remembered, and forever part of those that knew her. Her family is planning a
celebration of life for a later date. In place of gifts or flowers, donations may be made to the Greenville
County Friends of the Library.
The Standard Cremation & Funeral Center is serving the Brown family and a message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.standardfuneralcenter.com.
March 3, 1940 - May 9, 2022
Mary Gnauck Brown (born March 3, 1940) of Greenville, SC passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022. Not
one to sleep often due to having too many things to do, she ironically departed this world peacefully
during a morning nap. She never really cared for Mondays that much.
Born in El Paso, Texas, she was the daughter of Bob Gnauck--a Navy man and World War II veteran--and
his adoring cowgirl wife, Myrl. Mary spent her youth in El Paso as well as the family ranch in Hillsboro,
New Mexico where she learned to rope and ride. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in
Mathematics and English at The University of Texas at El Paso, where she was a Duchess in the Sun
Bowl. She then earned a Masters in English and Counseling at Furman after moving to South Carolina to
start her family. Her professional life was devoted mainly as an educator teaching math and as a
guidance counselor beginning in the 1960s at high schools Wade Hampton, followed by Christ Church,
and Riverside, and then on to Bryson Middle School after which she retired.
We are quite confident Mary came into this world riding a tornado. She spent her 82 years on this earth
with an efficient vigor. The final 30 years were with her loving husband and companion Andy Brown of
Chattanooga, TN to whom she was married for 20 years. Andy and Mary spent most free moments
touring the world, but the last 15 years touring North America in their motor home, affectionately
named The Queen Mary. The list of where they did not go was quite short. Her time always included
adventure whether touring model train museums or finding the funniest name in a Coon Dog Cemetery
in Alabama. During their travels they spent much of their time doing volunteer work, ranging from
building homes for Habitat for Humanity or spontaneously heading to the devastating tornado recovery
in the Midwest. Both voracious readers, Andy and Mary never missed an opportunity to return to
Greenville to help with the Friends of the Library sales at which time they fit in time for family and
annoying doctors appointments.
Surviving Mary are her husband, Anderson (Andy) Brown Jr. of 20 years; sister, Gretchen Frasier (Cline)
of Vancouver WA; brother, John Gnauck (JoAnn, decd) of El Paso TX; sons Erik Busby (Emily) and Leif
Busby (Mary Claire) of Greenville, SC from prior marriage to Joseph (Joe) Busby; five grandchildren,
whom she adored, Leif Wilson Busby, May Busby, Joseph Busby, Cecily Busby and Julia Busby; stepson,
Andy Brown III (Lisa) and step granddaughter, Savannah Brown of Charlotte, NC; and nephews, Fred
Frasier, Walt Frasier, and Cliff Frasier.
Mary took an interest in nearly everything and everyone she encountered, whether it was friend (of
whom there were many) or foe (of whom there were none claimed). With her grandchildren, she was
intentional about teaching life lessons and sharing moments of levity, and to them she leaves a great
legacy. They always knew when she pulled in that there were jellybeans in their future and a well-embellished
story of days of yore. With her sons, she was a mother whose wooden spoon was not to be
tangled with in the early years but later appreciated for the strong, independent woman she had always
been. She was indeed a role model to them by any standard.
She will be missed, remembered, and forever part of those that knew her. Her family is planning a
celebration of life for a later date. In place of gifts or flowers, donations may be made to the Greenville
County Friends of the Library.
The Standard Cremation & Funeral Center is serving the Brown family and a message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.standardfuneralcenter.com.