Mary Lou Brown

Our hearts are mourning the loss of Mary Lou
(Porter) Brown,
She was born February 21, 1931, and went to be Jesus
August 12,2023 in Evansville, Indiana where her daughter
Amy, and son in law Mike Cunningham reside. She told
Mike, Amy’s husband, many times that she was ready to go
home to the Lord. She was a fighter! She suffered for many
years with a Huge hiatal hernia, and osteoarthritis.
She was a daughter, Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma,
Aunt, Sister, Sister-in-law, and a friend to many.
She was born to James and Olive Porter of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mary Lou and
her late husband Donald were married nearly 70 years and lived in Terre Haute all
their married life.
I would like to thank Kandi Rutledge a neighbor of ours who when I was a preteen
took me along with her daughter Tammy to Agape Christian Church. It was there
that Dad, Mom, and I gave our hearts to Jesus! Years later Mary Lou and Donald
attended Maryland Community Church until both of their health issues became a
problem.
Mary Lou was a hard worker and had various jobs until retirement. Mary Lou had
A lot of great friends throughout her life from growing up to working various
places in town, as well many great friends at Providence Housing where she lived
for over ten years with her late husband Donald.
Mary Lou’s servants’ heart led her to volunteer at the 14th and Chestnut
Community Center where she helped others in preparing meals for needy children
in the community. In summer, on Saturday mornings Mary Lou would set out to
search for bargains along with her daughter Amy, Granddaughter Ashley, as well
as her late Great Aunt Wanda who all loved yard sales! Mary Lou also loved
sitting on her front porch with family, and longtime friends, Myra Hild, and Sherry
Sheretz. She took pride in her summer flowers and loved being outside.
She enjoyed cooking, baking, and sharing with friends or helping those in need.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Donald W. Brown, her parents
James and Olive Porter, brother James and Sister-in-law Joan Porter, her brother
Bill Porter and Granddaughter Toni Bernstein, and Great nephew Mitchell Pullum.
She is survived by daughter Amy, and husband Mike Cunningham of Evansville,
Indiana (who Dad and Mom both loved as a son). son Gary Brown and daughter-
in-law Ann of Terre Haute, Sister-in-law Lynn Porter of Minnesota (Lynn was so
good to Mary Lou and Don and they both thought a lot of her), previous Sister-in-
law Carolyn Porter of West Terre Haute, Granddaughters Ashley Griffith of
Evansville, and Lori Brown of Terre Haute. Great granddaughter Rebecca D’Auria

of Terre Haute, Kristi Cheesman of Terre Haute, Kimberly Cheesman of Terre
Haute, Katie Cheesman of Terre Haute, and grandson Anthony Cheesman of Terre
Haute. Nieces Eleanor Rodie of West Terre Haute, Megan Miller of Texas, Karie
Porter of Florida, Jamie Porter of Arizona. Nephew Doug Porter and wife Cindy of
West Terre Haute who she enjoyed weekly phone calls So much. Nephews Dennis
Porter of MO, Great Nephews Eli Porter of Bicknell, Adriann Spencer of Arizona,
and Wesley Pullum of Terre Haute.
A special thank you to Intrepid Hospice Care in Terre Haute, Heart to Heart, and
Deaconess Hospice of Evansville. Adrianne Phillips is an in-home aide who
touched all our lives. Cathy Nossett a Very compassionate Hospice home health
nurse.
Katie Duncan, one of Mary Lou nurses at Majestic Care, went the extra mile in
showing compassion to Mom, as well as her family. Jalynn Williams and Chrissy
Bass both nurse aides at Majestic Care, and Viola Morris a cleaning lady at
Majestic Care of Newburgh. In lieu of flowers it would be greatly appreciated if
donations were made to 14 th and Chestnut Community Center in Terre Haute, IN
Mary Lou held 14 th and Chestnut Community Center close to her heart.

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