Barbara M. (Hamilton) Brown, 85, of Whitman died Wednesday, Dec. 28 after a period of failing health. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles H. Brown.

Born and raised in Brockton, she was the daughter of the late Augustus and Mary (Whitcomb) Hamilton and a graduate of Brockton High.

Barbara continued her education, earning her Bachelor’s Degree from Wheelock College. Before her retirement in 1992 she had worked for over 24 years as the head coordinator for Head Start.

She had been an active resident of Whitman for more than 55 years, having moved to town in 1956 and where she raised her large family. She was a familiar face as a volunteer at the Whitman Library and at SHINE of Brockton.

She leaves her children Mary E. Bowie and her husband Earl of Brockton, Helen B. Brown of Whitman, William A. Brown of Lakeville, Robert W. Brown of Whitman, Barry M. Brown and his wife Amy of Middleboro, and Paul E. Brown and his wife Paula of Whitman, as well as 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Annette Brown of Abington She was the mother of the late Charles and Stephen Brown.

Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4 in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel (Route 58 at the rotary) Whitman.