Mary Brown Conaway

Mary Brown Earnhardt Conaway, 87, of Jackson, Tennessee, formerly of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2015.

Born in Hartselle, South Carolina to Very Brown and Mary Lillian Earnhardt, Mary Brown grew up in Alexander City, Alabama. In addition to completing degrees at Montevallo and Alabama, she studied at Juilliard in New York City and Auburn before moving to Jonesboro in 1965. She and her husband were long-time members of First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, where she was organist for 34 years, until her retirement. They then moved their membership to South Caraway Chapel to support this new church plant of First Baptist, where she was pianist for several years. In addition, she taught many students of all ages piano and organ lessons from her home thru the years.

Mary Brown was a member of the Faculty Women's Club at Arkansas State University and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society of teachers. She was a member of the Treble Clef Music Club in Jonesboro and Kappa Delta Pi. Among her fondest associations were the FBC Ladies’ Ensemble, whom she accompanied, and her biweekly bridge club, with whom she played for years.

Mary Brown was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James Earnhardt, and her husband, Dr. Baron D. Conaway.

Survivors include two daughters and son-in-law: Dianne and Brad Green of Jackson, Tennessee, and Amanda Conaway of Plymouth, New Hampshire; and
three grandchildren: Caleb, Daniel, and Victoria Green.

A memorial service will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bruce Venable and Don Martin officiating. Visitation will be in the chapel from 12 noon until service time on Thursday. A private graveside committal service will be held at Jonesboro Memorial Park prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Emerson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers include: Jim Earnhardt, John Earnhardt, Bill Hansard, Buck Langlois, John St. Clair, and Mark Young .

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to her grandchildren’s school music fund: Augustine School Music Fund, 1171 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson, TN 38305.