Bernice Brown

Bernice Brown (nee Beckwith), age 90, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2018 at Brittany Pointe Estates in Lansdale, PA.

Bernice, known as Becky, and her husband, Russell Brown, were commissioned as American Baptist missionaries to Myanmar (formerly called Burma) from 1951 to 1959.

Becky was an active volunteer and leader in her church, Calvary Baptist in Norristown, and community while raising four children. One of the many activities was volunteering weekly at the Monday WELCOME lunches the church provided for low income individuals in Norristown. In the 1960’s, Becky and Russ volunteered in a project to identify racist practices in real estate. Becky was active in 4-H and organized a 4-H sewing club in Norristown at New Hope Baptist Church teaching sewing to teenagers.

Becky served as the Director of the Forteniter’s Club through Volunteer services at the Norristown State Hospital for 21 years. In 2003 after retiring, she received the “Distinguished Community or Programmatic Leadership” award from the Montgomery County Mental Health Department.

Becky is survived by her four children: Deborah McWee, Carol Ward, Larry Brown and Susan Trencher; 7 grandchildren: Andrea, Allison, David, Beth, Adele, Ashley and Justin and 10 great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Norristown on April 21, 2018.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 801 W. Marshall Street, Norristown, PA 19401, or to the Forteniter’s Club, PO Box 962, Norristown, PA 19404.