Ethel Allen Brown

Ethel Allen Brown “Miss Kitty," 79, of Hendersonville, passed into eternal rest on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 9:20 AM at her home, surrounded by her daughter and granddaughter. She was born on May 15, 1945, in Asheville, NC, to the late Charles Allen and the late Eliza Allen.

Ethel was a loving mother, grandmother, and a woman of great faith. She was known to many in the community, especially the children, as the “hard cup lady” for her generous habit of giving out rainbow hard cups. Ethel dedicated much of her life to serving others and was deeply involved in her church. She founded the Girls in Action program and served as a Superintendent at Union Grove Baptist Church. She also contributed to the Children’s Choir and sang in the church choir for many years. 

An avid seamstress, Ethel loved to sew, and her talent was evident in the clothes she created for her late husband and grandchildren, including Easter outfits and other special garments. She could often be found in her sewing room, creating everything from clothes to bedspreads and pillows.

Ethel was a no-nonsense woman who spoke her mind openly, but those who knew her well also knew that her love for family was deep and unwavering. She was fiercely loyal and loved even harder.

She was preceded in death by her husband Willie C. Brown, her sisters Lois Allen, Ada Jones, Lillie Howard, Mary Ware and Bernice Mickler, her brothers Richard Allen, Jimmie Allen, and Charles Allen, Jr., stepdaughter Odesa Young, and granddaughter Carolyn Clark

Ethel is survived by her daughter Francine Freeman (Charles), stepdaughter Sallyann Hawkins (Leslie), stepson Jeffery Brown, brothers William Allen (Roberta) and Sam Allen (Sheila), and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service to celebrate Ethel’s life will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Hill Street Baptist Church (135 Hill Street) at 11am. The family will receive visitors at her home, 642 Cherry Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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