Hortense Evelyn Brown, 79 of Shepherdstown, is now rejoicing with her Lord and Savior. She quietly and peacefully departed this life on Jan. 18.

She was born on May 30, 1931 in Shepherdstown. She was the daughter of the late John Dewitt and Sara Jane Staley Jacobs.

She retired from Shepherd University after 26 years of service. She was a faithful member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she served as a member of the Sanctuary Choir, Communion Stewards and Pastor Parish Relations Committee. She was a member of the Rose Hill Cemetery Board. She also served as Yifwanda “Mamy” Ndjungu’s host mother, demonstrating compassion and kindheartedness for the African Cultural Exchange Program for the Multicultural Leadership Program under the direction of the Rev. Ernest D. Lyles, Sr.

She leaves to mourn three sons, Joseph William Jacobs, of Kearneysville, daughter-in-law Sandra “Dee” Jacobs; Bruce Anthony Jacobs, of Shepherdstown, daughter-in-law Valerie “Annette” Jacobs; John DeWitt Brown, of Shepherdstown, daughter-in-law Lynette Brown; a brother, DeWitt Joseph Jacobs, of Shepherdstown; a sister, Jane Jeanette Busey of Shepherdstown, brother-in-law, Bailey Busey, Jr.; an uncle Clifford Branson of Martinsburg; seven grandchildren, Latasha Bush, Nicole Jacobs, Anthony Jacobs, ShaLinka “Na” Jacobs, Evelyn Jacobs, Tayelor Brown and Jayedon Brown; seven great grandchildren; a great-great nephew, Christopher Richardson, Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a special friend and “phone buddy” Kim Holmes.

Services to be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, Route 480, Shepherdstown on Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Rudolph Bropleh officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg, WV.

Friends will be received at the church on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society-Jefferson County Relay for Life, c/o Patricia Ott, 145 Donald Dr., Charles Town, WV 25414.

Please sign the online guestbook and view her obituary at www.mtstrider.com.