Sadie Gertrude (Fagan) Brown-Peele

Williamston, NC

Sadie Gertrude Fagan Brown Peele, 88, peacefully slipped away on Sep 6, 2020, surrounded by her daughters and her dog Gertie. Ms. Gertrude, affectionately known by anyone who ever met her, was born July 6, 1932 in Martin County to the late Lena Knight and Simon Fagan.

Ms. Gertrude was a hard working woman and later became a home maker. In Dec 1951, she married Almer Brown Sr. Although their marriage was short lived, Ms. Gertrude blessed this world with twelve wonderful children.

Years later, she found love again and in March 2000, she married Henry Peele. Although they were both much older in age, they held on to each other until his passing in 2007.

Ms. Gertrude was a lifelong member of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Russell Shaw Sr. and Leading Lady Dr. Brendolyn Shaw. She sang in the choir and was recently appointed as an Honorary Deaconess of the Church. Ms. Gertrude faithfully served until her health began to decline. She never met a stranger and was infamously known for blowing her horn when driving and saying’ “Hey Dollbaby.”  She might not have known your name but she never forgot a face but you were still her dollbaby.

Ms. Gertrude was the last surviving child of Lena and Simon Fagan. Not only is she preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings; her only brother Raymond Fagan and nine sisters Martha Fagan, Janice Fagan Hampton, Mary Rawls, Idell Carroll, Donnie Ann Smith, Carrie Maybell Brown, Virginia Turner, Fannie Jane Moore, and Ella M. Hines, she is also preceded in death by three of her children and one grandson; Gloria Jean Austin, Rudolph “BoBo” Brown, Almer Brown Jr and John “Squirt” Purvis Jr.

To continue her legacy of love and family, Ms. Gertrude is survived by her daughters, Cora Purvis, Mary Sherrod, Eva Norfleet (Tony), Ann Wiggins (Delmus) and Cleo Horner (Mike) all of Williamston, NC.  Her sons, Larry Brown (Wanda) of Charlotte, Leo Brown (Dena), Joseph O’Neal Brown all of Williamston, Donnell Brown of Raleigh NC and William M. Brown (Vondra) of Greenville. One brother in law, Walter Brown (Thelma) of Williamston, NC. Thirty-five grandchildren whom God has allowed her to see adulthood. Over 40 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Special nephew, niece and daughters in her life that affectionately loved her like a mom; Tommy Fagan, Diane Smith Peele, Corene McIntyre Lloyd, Keisha Speller, Angelina Knight and Alicia Keyes and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Her walk through viewing will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Manson Mortuary in Williamston, NC.

Masks and temperature checks will be mandatory.

Her PRIVATE funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 12 noon at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, Warren Street, Williamston, NC, with Pastor Russell Shaw officiating.

Her interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery Williamston, NC.

Please check with the family before attending the funeral. 

The funeral will be live streamed from this website. 

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