Obituary for Ann Schmidt Brown Print Ann Schmidt Brown, 73, of Wilson, NC died Wednesday, February 20, 2019. She was born in Buncombe County, NC on June 15, 1945 to the late Howard and Natalie Schmidt. In addition to her parents Ann was predeceased by her, step mother, Marie Schmidt, step sister, Emilie Young, and brother-in-law, John T. Monteith.
Ann was a 1964 graduate of Brevard High School. She was a US Army veteran serving as a nurse during her enlistment and received a letter of commendation in the latter part of her enlistment while working as NCOIC in the OB-GYN Clinic from 1968-1969 at William Beaumont General Hospital, in El Paso, Texas. When Ann took the Hippocratic Oath, she meant it with all her heart.
She was an advocate for her patients and those that couldn’t speak for themselves. She was not one to turn a blind eye when she saw an injustice being done. She was instrumental in obtaining the correction of deficiencies regarding conditions and patient care she and the NC Department of Human Res found to be evident in one of the elder care facilities she worked at in Snow Hill in 1978.
While working as an LPN at the Veterans Administration in Durham in 1986, Ann, along with RN Karen Ann Croyle and RN Rebecca C. Spears, found a need for teaching ophthalmology patients, which wasn’t available at that time. They proceeded to meet this need through their clinical practice, collaborating with other health professionals and brought about change. The artwork from the slides were drawn by Ann.
The result, “Teaching Aid for the Cataract Surgery Patient”, an educational aid/method was a precursor for current day education. She continued her career in the health services industry and serving as a nurse for 30 years. She was a member of the D.A.R. and American Legion Post 13.
She was an activist and avid reader. She felt preserving our history was important and would often clip “Today in History” articles from The Wilson Daily Times and send them to David Lyndon, Executive Director of Secondary Education, who would in turn share them with the various schools. It brought tears of joy to her eyes the day she received a package from Mr. David Lyndon, full of thank you notes from the children.
Ann also loved animals. She often submitted articles to the Wilson Daily Times about childhood memories of her dog, Spot and the squirrels that would raid her bird feeder hanging outside her window at the nursing home. Sometimes the articles were of a more serious nature, as in regards to something dealing with veterans or the handling of funds put aside for the building of a new animal shelter.
Many times her articles got published. Ann was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her daughters, Natalie Durrett Newcomb and her husband, John of Lucama, NC and Susan Durrett of OK and fiancé, Bill Fraley; sons, John Michael Durrett and wife, Paige of St. Augustine, FL and Mark Durrett of TN; sister, Barbara Monteith of Brevard; step sister Joyce Young Hrynciw and her husband, John of Monticello, FL. Also surviving are her grandchildren, John Allen, Alexander, Joshua, Joseph and wife, Kayla, Evie, Bree, and Boone; great grandchildren, Peyton, Josie and Lonnie. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home at 2 PM on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory with military graveside rites conducted by the Transylvania County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 13, Wilson, NC, the Daughters of the American Revolution, or animal shelter or animal support group of your choice.
Online condolences may be left at www. moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com Moody-Connolly Funeral Home, 181 S. Caldwell Street, Brevard, NC 28712. To send flowers to the family of Ann Schmidt Brown, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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