Mildred Brisson

Mildred Newton Brisson, 89, of St. Pauls, passed away June 13, 2013 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Sunday June 16, 2013 at 3:00 PM at St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, St. Pauls with Rev. Sue Hudson officiating. Visitation will be Saturday June 15, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 PM. at McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls. Born July 18, 1923 to the late Marshall and Cleva Newton of Hoke County, Mrs. Brisson graduated from Hoke High School in 1941. She attended Louisburg Junior College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. She held a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in counseling. After teaching English and journalism for many years at St. Pauls High School, Mrs. Brisson retired in 1989 as a counselor with the Cumberland County School System. She remembered with great fondness her many students. Mrs. Brisson moved to St. Pauls in the 1950s. She is remembered as an active public servant, especially in the role as a strong advocate for persons with disabilities. She successfully chaired the St. Pauls Mayor's Committee which was charged with the task of making the town's public and private facilities handicap accessible. Along with her husband of more than 60 years, Edward Brisson, she was an active member of St. Pauls Presbyterian Church. She served as an elder of the church and received the designation as an honorary life member of the Presbyterian Women of the Church. A beloved wife and mother, Mrs. Brisson was a woman with many talents and interests who possessed great humor, warmth, compassion and grace. Mrs. Brisson was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, and an infant son. She is survived by a daughter, Lisa Brisson and husband Scot Whitfield of Newport; sons, Michael "Eddie" and wife Lynn of Reidsville, Richard of Goldsboro and Jeffrey of Hope Mills; two grandsons, Mark and Stephen; and a brother, Edwin B. Newton and wife, Edith, of Raeford. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, POB 283, St. Pauls, NC 28384; O'Berry Center Foundation, 400 Old Smithfield Rd, Goldsboro, NC 27530; Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Ct., Goldsboro, NC 27534 or favorite charity. Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls.