Dr. Stephanie Sullivan Brown

July 21, 2022

CHARLOTTE – Dr.  Stephanie Sullivan Brown, longtime resident of Rocky Mount NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 21, 2022 at the age of 84 in Charlotte, NC.  

Stephanie was born in Windham, NY to Marie and Maurice Sullivan on October 16, 1937.  She was one of two children along with her brother Philip Sullivan.  She graduated from Windham Ashland Jewett school and then proceeded to Nazareth College.  She had a love for learning which propelled her to get her Masters of Education degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC followed by her doctorate degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC.  

Stephanie and her husband Donald moved to Rocky Mount, NC in 1969.  She began working for the Nash County school system in 1971 and her career spanned over 40 years as an educator for special needs children and later as director of the program.  Her dedication to the school system and the needs of special education were recognized by Gov. Roy Cooper with the Order of the Longleaf Pine award.  After retiring from the school system she continued her dedication to the underserved by volunteering with the Down East Radio Reading Center in Rocky Mount, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for local visually impaired citizens.  She was also an active member in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and a member at Benvenue CC for over 40 years.  

Stephanie was predeceased by her husband Donald Fravel Brown and her bother Phillip Maurice Sullivan. She is survived by her two sons, Kevin John and his wife Kathleen of Gainesville, GA and Brian Dalton and his wife Wendi of Charlotte, NC; her 6 grandchildren Carson, Parks and his wife Mary Cameron, Davis and Grace Brown and Zachary and Jacob Brown.

To honor Stephanie there will be a celebration of life on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Benvenue Country Club in Rocky Mount from 2 to 4 PM. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Down East Radio Reading Center in Rocky Mount, NC.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Larry Lugar

    If there were ever an angel on earth it was Stephanie! I worked with her for years in Nash County. We both started graduate work at NC State initially to start a mentor program in the county. It was my great pleasure and fortune to have worked and known her. She had unending enthusiasm which she carried over to everything she did. She was super intelligent and wonderfully caring. She was also a funny lady and great cook. I was fortunate to receive one of her famous cheesecakes one Christmas. I will never forget a potluck meal we had at the office. Stephanie brought in an ice cream freezer with some of the most delicious ice cream anyone had eaten. It wasn't until years later that a confidant of Stephanie told me that she had taken Bryer's Ice Cream and put it in the freezer. I think I laughed for days. While I have been gone from Nash County for many, many years I have thought of her now and then. I sent her birthday cards and called her a few times. A couple of years ago her card came back so I lost track of her. Again, I thought the world of her, and I had hoped she had just moved which I guess she did. While I am so sad about her death, I know the Lord is pleased to have his angel back! Love you, Stephanie.

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  • Laura Durham

    Stephanie was a wonderful neighbor for many years! I always enjoyed talking with her and appreciated her care and concern for all. I know her passing leaves a void but recognizing her faith, you must know she is exactly where she journeyed to be ❤️

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  • Mary Ward

    Stephanie I will miss your ever giving, generous heart and love for Exceptional Children like my adult son with Autism, and your desire to meet the needs within the community that required a special touch. My time sharing with you at Down East Radio Reading Service and the open invitation to your home surrounded by an Oasis of plants, books galore and always, always special treats that were delicious are precious memories I will cherish. Stephanie would always tell me to "Take this sweet bread or that loaf of something great. You could never just leave empty handed. She introduced me to German made cookies that I could only find at Aldi's. Stephanie was the vision behind Down East Radio and I miss that connection to an amazing team of volunteers. I truly did love this wonderful lady in multiple ways across multiple venues. What a joy and blessing to have known here. Mary extending love from Chapel Hill NC.

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