Mrs. Jo Ann Hembree Brown, 86, of Race Street, Hartwell, passed away Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Hartwell Health & Rehab.

Born on November 2, 1931 in Lavonia GA, she was the daughter of the late Lev Hembree and Naomi Wood Hembree.Mrs. Brown was a graduate from the University of Georgia with a BS degree in education.She was a retired teacher from Mt. Olivet Elementary School and former member of the Hart County Retired Teachers Association and Madora Garden Club. She also was a member of the Hartwell Church of God.

Survivors include one daughter: Bonnie Lynn Brown of Durham, NC; and one grandson: Noah Brown of Hartwell. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband: Clay Leonard "CL" Brown, Jr; one son: Van Brown; one grandson: Jason Herman Brown; one sister: Virginia Johnson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Lonnie Bennett officiating.Burial will be in the Nancy Hart Memorial Park.

The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell, where the family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon prior to the service. The family is at the home of Mary Elizabeth Poole, 55 Glenn Street, Hartwell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hart County Friends of the Library, Passport to Adventure Program, 150 Benson Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.