Lona McLelland Brown

Lona McLelland Brown, 92 of Albany, died Sunday, September 13, 2026 at the Willson Hospice House.

Her funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Mathews Funeral Home with interment to follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Mathews Funeral Home.

Born in Statesville, North Carolina, Lona lived in the Albany area for over 60 years. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Cecil Albert Brown until his passing in 2012 and worked alongside him and their son at C. A. Brown Construction Co.

A devoted Christian, Lona was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Vacation Bible School and Sunday School until the church closing in 2022. Later, she worshipped at Lakeside Baptist Church and Amazing Grace Baptist Church. 

She is survived by her son, Jeffery Cecil Brown, and his wife, Millie; grandchildren Caroline Braxton and her husband, Chad, and Katie Brown; great-grandchildren Charles and Henry Braxton; brothers Jack, Ron and Roger McLelland. Sisters Fran King and Brenda Rumple; and their extended families. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil; her parents, Lawrence and Madge McLelland; and brother Bill McLelland and sister Evelyn Dowell. 

Lona will be remembered for her faith, her loving heart, and her devotion to her family.