Mary Evelyn Minnick began her time here on Earth May 5, 1948. She didn’t know it yet, but that Wednesday entrance was the start of a lifetime of being a blessing. She was a product of the union of Iva Howard and Ina (McBride) Minnick. Her siblings and herself grew up at a time when you had to be resourceful, tough and content with the things that you had. Those years growing up in the bonafide Minnick community would help make Mary into one of the hardest working, best house keeping, master of chocolate gravy and fried potatoes, family spoiling, big hearted, and possibly a little stubborn people you would ever have the privilege of meeting.
On August 31, 2024, she left this crazy place and is now better than she’s ever been. Her celebration of all that made her amazing will be conducted11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home. Pastor Justin Hiens and Brother Dale True will officiate. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery near Hornbeak.
The family will receive friends at Edmaiston-Mosley Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and after 10:00 a.m. Wednesday until time of service.
Pallbearers will be ones who were able to claim her as Nanny-Ben Hardin, Kendrick Hardin, Katie Palmer, Matthew Hardin, Amy Harris, Sara Migliazza, Claire Capps, Emma Capps, Wade Capps, Quentin Brown, Douglas Brown, Jonathon Brown and Keaten Brown.
April 11, 1982 was the day that she married her partner for the next nearly 31 years- James Wilbur Brown. Not only did she gain the man she loved-she also gained 4 kids who she treated like her own. Vickie (Scotty Olds), Lorie (Michael Hardin), Jimmy (Michele Brown), and Amanda (Chris Capps). The final touch on the Brown family that claimed Hornbeak as home came when the baby, Stevie (Beth Brown), finally made his appearance after several hard days of labor.
Mary was the chief weed eater operator, wood worker, pickle maker, flower grower, snake killer, meal maker, house manager, parade float creator, baby spoiler and many more things. She could work harder than a man in the sun, go in and make a meal in no time, clean it up and go back out to work some more. She just did what needed to be done and didn’t ask for help if she could get away with it.
Eventually Mary was upgraded to ‘Nanny’ and she had a hand in raising several grandchildren. They learned things like fishing, sewing, crafting of all kinds, dress up, that chocolate gravy is good and that Nanny would always have your favorite snacks love you even when you were being a brat. Amy (Bradley Harris), Sara (Josh Migliazza), Ben Hardin (Nikki), Kendrick Hardin (Adrienne), Katie (Devin Palmer), Matthew Hardin, Quentin Brown (Kathryn), Douglas Brown, Claire Capps (Ty), Emma Capps, Wade Capps, Jonathon Brown and Keaten Brown had one of the best Nanny’s there was.
In addition to her kids and 13 grandkids and 13 (14 in October!) great grandkids, Mary is survived by sister Linda Davis, sister Sherrion Walton, brothers Charles Minnick, Herschel Minnick and Bobby Joey Minnick.
Waiting for Mary anxiously at their eternal home is husband James, her parents and siblings Martha Lamb, Hison (Buddy) Boswell, Troy Lee Boswell, Thelma Laverne Beasley, Wannetta Boswell, William Calvin Minnick, Violet Louis (Sis) Reynolds, Johnny Floyd Minnick, Wanda Faye Lynch, Billy Nathan Minnick, Esther Geraldine Hall, Iva George Minnick, Viola May Bogan and Robert Minnick.
James Brown was not always know for patience and I imagine he has been pacing around the pearly gates waiting for Mary to show up. Mary no doubt heard two things right off on August 31 at 8:45 pm. The first was ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’
The second might have been something along the lines of ‘Mary Brown, where have you been? I’ve been waiting on you….can you make me a glass of YOUR sweet tea? This stuff ain’t no good!’
The hole in our family is now wider and deeper than it was before. Cancer is a thief, but we have the victory.
Donations honoring Mary can be made to The Legacy Campaign at Second Baptist Church, Union City.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.””
Revelation 21:4-5 NLT
Amen.