11/23/2025
Elizabeth Joan Williams Brown was born on January 8, 1937, to Ellen Gantt Williams and Marion Edward Williams; she went to be with her Heavenly Father on November 20, 2025, at the age of 88.
Joan spent her life explaining to people that her name was pronounced Jo-Ann instead of the normal pronunciation of Joan. She graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1954, where she was the editor of the yearbook and was named Miss DAR, Most Intelligent, Hardest Worker, and Most Likely to Succeed.
Joan married Lamar Porcher Brown on January 8, 1955, after he proposed to her on their second date. Since she married on her birthday, it greatly reduced the likelihood of Lamar forgetting their anniversary. Two daughters were born to them, who always knew how much she loved them and was proud of anything they did. This trait continued later to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her great joy.
In 1999, Joan retired as a tax auditor with 25 years of service at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, where she was named the 1991 Employee of the Year. She was best appreciated there for the delicious cakes she baked to celebrate the birthdays of her co-workers.
Joan was a homebody who lived a simple life and was most content staying in the house she lived in for 55 years, with an occasional fall trip to the North Carolina mountains. Dedicated to her family, Joan wanted to be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was at her happiest when spending time with her grandchildren, cooking delicious family meals, and working in her immaculate yard. If she was cooking for your birthday, the menu was customized to be just your favorite foods and was served on the red “You Are Special” plate. Digging in the dirt, trimming shrubs, and tending to colorful azaleas and begonias led to her yard being among the most beautiful in the neighborhood. Joan loved sunflowers, hummingbirds, and the quilts made lovingly by her mother, but had less than kind thoughts towards the pesky squirrels that dug up her lovely flowers.
Joan was a loyal member of Eau Claire Baptist Church and First Baptist Church. During recent years when she was unable to attend church, she was blessed by the television ministry of FBC. Her daughters feel blessed to have inherited their mother’s work ethic, analytical skills, and strong Christian beliefs. They only wish that she had passed on to them her awesome cooking skills, flawless complexion, and beautiful white hair. They will miss the thoughtful Easter baskets and Christmas stockings she filled each year for each child and grandchild.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brother Marion Durant Williams, and several special friends. Joan is survived by her brother Ray Williams (Gale); daughters Ellen Henderson (Mike) and Barbara Wagers (Woody); grandchildren Christina Sitter, Dr. James Sitter (Kimberly), William Wagers, Dr. Charles Wagers (Anamaria), Anna Catherine Moody (Nick); and great-grandchildren Liam Sitter, Emily Sitter, and Noah Moody. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
The family is most appreciative of the care provided to Joan in the last two years by Eva Robertson, the many compassionate aides at Caring Healthcare, and Amedisys Hospice. Their care allowed Joan to remain in her home even as her health declined, as she so wanted. Special thanks also to Margaret Webb and Tonya Wallace for their thoughtfulness.
Visitation will be held from 10 AM – 10:45 AM in the parlor of First Baptist Church on Monday, November 24, 2025. A celebration of life service will follow at 11 AM in Boyce Chapel. Burial will be private at a later date at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the First Baptist Church TV Ministry, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
