Mary L. Brownell

Mary Lou Brownell, 82, of 1428 E. Jefferson Street, Warsaw, went home to be with her Lord on April 11, 2012, after a short illness. She was born May 9, 1929 in Rochester, New York to Stanley and Muriel (Pettit) Brownell. She received her Registered Nursing degree from Highland Hospital in 1955 and her Th.B from Baptist Bible Seminary, Johnson City, New York in 1956. In 1958, she answered God’s call to minister in Bangladesh, where she served faithfully for 27 years under Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), retiring from the mission field in 1985. During her years in Bangladesh, she nursed in jungle clinics and later became the Director of Nursing at Malumghat Hospital, Chittagong, as well as the hospital dentist. She also established Heart House, a center of loving care and training for destitute, war-damaged women. She was a teacher and taught Bangladeshi, American, and Canadian children and later became the principal of the national high school. Following her return from the mission field, she worked at the ABWE home office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where she was director of the ministry to ABWE singles. After retiring from ABWE in 1992, she moved to Martinsville, Indiana, where she attended the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle. In 2012 she moved to Warsaw, Indiana to be close to her sister, Nina Kendrick, Warsaw, who survives. Also surviving is her sister, Betty G. Rockwell, Indianapolis, two sisters-in-law, Betty Brownell, and Fran Brownell, two nieces Suzanne (Robert) Miller, Pamela (Jeffery) Cook, five nephews, Steven (Jane) Rockwell, Thomas (Sharon) Rockwell, Terry (Alpha Russell) Brownell, Pete (Debbie) Kendrick, Paul Kendrick, and eleven great-nieces and nephews, two great-great nieces, and her beloved cat Bitsy. Her parents and two brothers, Walter Brownell and Stanley Brownell preceded her in death. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Oswego, Indiana. A 6 p.m. memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, April 19, at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, with Pastor Kirk Barger officiating. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 21 at New South Park Cemetery, Martinsville, Indiana. Dr. Mark Pondexter of First Christian Church, Martinsville officiating in Martinsville.No calling in Martinsville is planned. There are no memorials.