Melva Jean Brown was born Jan. 19, 1954, to Carroll Mack Brown and Josephine Rickman Brown. She graduated from Rabun County High School in 1972 and continued her education at Brenau College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 1976 followed by a master’s degree in 1988. She began her teaching career in Hall County at Sardis Elementary, where she taught from 1976-82. From there, she moved on to Redan Elementary in DeKalb County, where she taught from 1982-99 and was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 1998. Melva retired from her 30-year teaching career in 2006 after spending her last seven years at Rabun County Elementary.

During her career, she was involved in strategic planning for school improvement, school restructuring, student support, the SACCS steering committee, crisis intervention, mentoring, cultural diversity and conflict resolution. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International, Alpha Chi Sorority, Georgia Retired Teachers Association, Georgia Educators Association and an Eastern Star with Rabun No. 164. She volunteered her time with the Rabun County Historical Society and Rabun County poll voting.

Melva is survived by: her brother, Joe Brown and wife Joan; her nephew, Jake and wife Crystal; her nephew, Justin and wife Jessie; a great-nephew, Hunter; and two great-nieces, Ansley and Jolie; along with extended family and friends.

Funeral services were held Nov. 8 at Beck Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tom McElroy officiating. Burial followed at Pickett Cemetery.

Beck Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. An online guestbook is available at http://www.beckfuneralhome.com.