BROWN, Mabel (Babe)

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Tuesday, January 28, 2003 Mabel Brown, 86, of Tempe, AZ, died Jan. 25, 2003. Services will be held at a later date. Contributions to the American Cancer Society, 2929 E. Thomas, Phoenix, Az., 85016. ---------------------------- Mabel Acton Brown, 1916-2003. Time closed the door to another era of Arizona history on January 25, 2003, with the passing of Mabel(Babe) Acton Brown. Born on the old Acton Ranch south of Winkelman Arizona on October 25, 1916 to George and Bertha Acton, Mabel was the youngest of four children and granddaughter of John Tewksbury, one of the "Fighting Tewksburys" of Arizona's Pleasant Valley War. Mabel's fondest memories were from her youth on the ranch. She often spoke about taking the horses across the flowing San Pedro River with her sister Ella, hanging onto their tails while the horses swam the current. It was on the ranch where she learned to cook the meanest biscuits and gravy Arizona has ever known. Her peach cobbler was second only to her Mom's. Mabel attended and graduated from both Winkelman Elementary School and Hayden High School, before attending beautician school and then Lamson Business College in Phoenix. She worked as a hairdresser and later as a bookkeeper for different companies including Producers and Hughes and Ganz cattle companies. She is survived by her son Bill, grandchildren Robert and Julie, and great-grandson Derek. The family extends thanks to relatives, friends and caregivers who meant so very much to Mabel. Please contact the family with remembrances, especially of her youth in beautiful Arizona. Donations may be directed to Arizona First Families in care of the Phoenix Museum of History. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/15/2003.