- Date Of Birth: March 13, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 31, 2016
- State: Georgia
For 91 years Mary Lingard Martin Brown enjoyed a wonderful life of adventure, discovery, love of nature and dedicated service to her friends, family and community. Life for her began on March 13, 1924 in Montgomery, Alabama as the daughter of the late Reese and Mary Roquemore Martin. Her father worked in a local store and her grandmother was an Irish immigrant, having been born in Cork. Mary Lingard soon came to be known simply as Lin, the name that would follow her all through her life. She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and was awarded the “Good Citizenship Girl” honor. She was also the editor of Lanier’s newspaper “The Oracle”. It was only natural that she would attend The University of Alabama and major in journalism and achieve a bachelor’s degree. After college, she accepted an executive position with the Girl Scouts in Gastonia, North Carolina. When a similar opportunity presented itself closer to home she took the same position with The Pine Valley Girl Scout Council in Newnan. She became roommates with a number of young professional women in Newnan at the time in a home in The College Temple Historic District. It was after moving to Newnan that she became acquainted with a gentleman neighbor through the First United Methodist church. His family owned and operated a thriving greenhouse on their property down the street from her apartment that specialized in African Violets. On September 2, 1951 they were married and shared 37 years together. Lin loved her work in Girl Scouts and the opportunity to be a positive force in the lives of so many young girls. After her retirement, she and her best friend Betty Boylston saw a real need in the community for a resource for families who were having difficulty in obtaining supplies and medical equipment to allow them to help their aging relatives maintain their independence and deal with their physical limitations. Thus was born Smart Solutions Medical Equipment Supply Store in downtown. It soon evolved into a one stop shop for anyone dealing with geriatric care. There was another side of Lin that was mesmerized by the call of nature. She loved fishing and relished the days she spent with her granddaughter Lauren as she taught her the many facets of the great outdoors. On the days she could not be outdoors, nothing suited Lin as much as a good book to read and she devoured them voraciously. Her community service included her beloved Pilot Club, which she served as President, The Relay for Life and Chi Omega Fraternity. Her faith found its resting place in Newnan Presbyterian Church. Lin was predeceased by her husband Bobby in 1988. She is survived by her daughters Margaret P. Brown and Anne Brown Bell. She loved her role as grandmother to her only grandchild, Lauren. She is also survived by her lifelong friend and business partner Betty Boylston.
