BROWN, Winnie Edward

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Published Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - Winnie Edward Warren Brown, 87, completed her earthly journey, joining her Lord, family and friends in eternal glory on Jan. 20, 2011. Winnie was born March 29, 1923, near McCaskill, Ark., to Clark and Julie Thompson Warren. She was the youngest of five girls born into the Warren family. Winnie chose to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of 8. She and two of her sisters formed the Warren Sisters Trio, traveling and singing in churches in neighboring towns. Following graduation from Blevins High School in Blevins, Ark., Winnie moved to Texarkana. There she found work at the Lone Star Defense Plant making artillery shells during World War II. Within two years, she had saved enough money to move to Bethany, Okla., where she began her studies at Bethany-Peniel College as an English major. She graduated cum laude in 1948, and began her career as an elementary school teacher. Winnie was always proud of the fact that she worked her way through college and graduated not owing a penny. Winnie met the love of her life, Alvin Brown, in high school, and they corresponded during the war years. They were married Aug. 13, 1949, in Oklahoma City, and spent 61 happy years together. Winnie taught in the Oklahoma City School District before taking a leave of absence for a few years to start her family. She later returned to teaching in the Putnam City School District at Rollingwood Elementary where she taught third grade until her retirement in 1984. Winnie and Alvin were charter members of Lakeview Park Nazarene Church, and later became members of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene where they were involved in the Kumjoynus Sunday School class. They especially enjoyed providing musical entertainment for many of their class parties. They also enjoyed many trips taken with members of the class. Winnie was preceded in death by her parents and her four sisters. She is survived by her two sons: Dr. Kent Brown and daughter-in-law, Susan, and their children, Richard, Madeline, Savannah and George, of Scottsdale, and Dr. Dean Brown and daughter-in-law, Joni, and their children, Carrie and Averie Brown, of Bethany, and Ryan Curtis, his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Creed, of Oklahoma City; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Clara Raath, Joane Candelaria, the Thompson family and the Bellevue staff for their exceptional love and care. We are grateful for the long, full, rich and happy life that our mother lived and the example she set for her family. Although her earthly life is over, we rejoice in knowing she lives in perfect peace and harmony forever with her Lord, whom she served well. Services were Monday at Bethany First Nazarene Church, Bethany, Okla., with interment in Bethany Cemetery. To share a memory or condolence, visit www.mercer-adams.com.