Janet Louise Pauley Brown of Ranson, WV, 81, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Fairfax INOVA Hospital.

Born on December 7, 1943, Janet was the daughter of the late Keith and Marie Pauley of South Charleston, West Virginia.

Janet grew up in South Charleston and graduated from South Charleston High School. She graduated from West Virginia University with a B.A. degree in speech and English and taught school for three years in Winchester, Virginia. She then put her teaching career "on hold" during which time she married and had two children. When her daughters were in elementary school, she resumed her teaching career in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

It was at this time also that Janet enjoyed one of the most memorable experiences of her life, and that was being the leader of a Brownie Girl Scout troop. For three years, Janet, her co-leaders, and their 18 Brownies worked on badges, took monthly trips to various places, and went on spring and autumn camping adventures to Camp White Rock in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. Janet said, "It poured rain nearly every camping trip we went on, but the more it rained, the more we laughed, and the more we laughed, the more fun we had tramping through the woods with our wet clothes, our muddy boots, but smiles on our faces." Being a Brownie leader was truly a wonderful experience.

After teaching for six years at Harpers Ferry Jr. High School and 17 years at Jefferson High School, Janet retired in 2006. Before retiring and during her retirement years, Janet enjoyed family outings and traveling. Many holidays were celebrated by family get-togethers, and the Browns enjoyed annual summer beach trips with their children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As an avid traveler, Janet enjoyed both domestic and foreign adventures. Traveling with family members or friends, Janet visited 47 states, many countries and islands, and all seven continents.

Janet was also a passionate volunteer in her retirement years. One week after retiring from teaching, she became a weekly volunteer at the Eisenhower National Historic Site in Gettysburg, PA. She served as an oral interpreter (tour guide) for 14 years. She also volunteered at Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Ranson, WV and Community Ministries in Charles Town, WV. In addition, she was a story reader at His Little Lambs Childcare Center in Kearneysville, WV and she enjoyed playing Bingo on a monthly basis at Countryside Assisted Living in Martinsburg, WV.

When the Covid 19 outbreak began, Janet's volunteering paused for a while, but later she became a member of Sister Acts based in Martinsburg, WV. Janet also enjoyed helping with Operation Christmas Child at her church and welcoming guests on Sunday mornings as part of the Greeter Ministry.

Janet is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert; two daughters, Laura Gilmer and husband, Eric, Lisa Foley and husband, Ty; three grandchildren, Sydney Gilmer MacDonald, Coryn Gilmer, Jordan Brown; one sister, Alice Pauley Miller; twin great-granddaughters, Jordyn and Ashtyn; and several cousins and nephews.

Services will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Fellowship Bible Church, 160 Daniel Road, Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442.

The family will receive friends Monday, February 17, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, 256 Halltown Road, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.