BROWN, Barbara Gail

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona Barbara Gail Brown (November 28, 1941 - November 25, 2012) Barbara Gail Brown of Flagstaff passed away on November 25, 2012, surrounded by her loving family after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A lifelong Christian, her final words to family were, “I’m OK.” Memorial services will be held Saturday. Barbara was born October 28, 1941, in a country hospital in Socorro, New Mexico. Her parents, Lee and Lorane, moved the new family to a ranch in Bingham Flats. There, the one-room schoolhouse was in danger of shutting down due to low attendance, so her parents enrolled Barbara in the first grade to keep the school open even though she was only 4. As it would turn out, Barbara’s commitment and contribution to education would be a lifelong calling. In July 1945, the first Atomic bomb was tested at the Trinity site in New Mexico just 18 miles south of the family ranch – without any notification from the U.S. government to nearby residents. Later, the federal government bought out all of the ranch owners in the area. Barbara’s family used their proceeds to open The Eagle Guest Ranch in Datil, N.M., west of Socorro, at the intersection of U.S Route 60 and New Mexico State Road 12. Barbara and her brother Kenneth grew up working in the crossroads establishment, which consisted of a gas station, country grocery store, butcher shop and five-room hotel. More importantly, The Eagle Guest was a restaurant and bar frequented by ranchers and neighbors from around Catron County. Young Barbara already was known as “an angel” waiting tables at her parent’s restaurant – always friendly and smiling, taking time to chat with customers. The business is still run by Barbara’s family members. Barbara attended Magdalena High School, where she met her soul mate, Joe Brown, during her freshman year. She was passionate about her extracurricular school activities that included cheerleading, the National Future Homemakers of America and as editor of the school newspaper. At age 17, Barbara graduated from high school in 1959. Later that September, the couple wed. Barbara and Joe attended Western New Mexico University in Silver City, N.M. One year later their son, Charles Lee, was born. The young parents worked very hard to put themselves through college – Joe as a gas station attendant and Barbara as an evening waitress at a local diner, where Joe and little Charles Lee would have supper most times. After their second child, Kyra, was born, the couple graduated from college and found opportunity in Quemado, N.M., where Barbara became the physical education teacher for K-12 students. She still traveled twice a week to Datil, by contract, to do the same task in her hometown. In 1969, the family moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where Joe found a teaching job in the Flagstaff Unified School District. Barbara started tenaciously applying for a teaching position with the district to help support the family, which would include a third child, Felina, born in Flagstaff. School Superintendent Sturge Cromer’s secretary, Roma Butcher, would watch as Barbara visited the school district job board almost daily. Roma finally insisted that Assistant Super Attendant of Personnel Don Clark find a way to hire this determined woman. The only position available at the time was in the area of special education. Though this was not Barbara’s early specialty, she went on to thrive in this position for 26 years in four different schools that included Marshall, South Beaver, Weitzel and Killip/Mount Elden. Over the years, she brought out the best in these special children and helped the community understand they bring out the best in us. Barbara was instrumental in starting the Special Olympics program in Flagstaff. She continued to administer the award-winning program for 23 years with unconditional love and tireless support from Joe, who would become principal of Flagstaff High School and Athletic Director of FUSD. Barbara and Joe retired from the district in 1996 and began devoting their time to travel and spending time with their children and grandchildren. They fished all over the United States and enjoyed amazing adventures in Canada and Mexico. Barbara’s greatest joys in life were her kids and grandkids. She and Joe supported them in all that they did, traveling to watch basketball, soccer, football and volleyball games from Page to Tucson, being there for every school program and doing whatever they could to show their love and support for family. Their son, Charlie, would follow in their footsteps and become a teacher in Flagstaff, as well as their daughter Felina who teaches in Peoria. Inseparable through life, the amazing couple was an inspiration to all. Joe and Barbara celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, enjoying a piece of their original 50-year-old wedding cake. The family was blessed to enjoy this past Thanksgiving dinner together, where Barb said “I want a little bit of everything.” The most important things in Barbara’s life were her family and her Lord. Barbara was a very active member of First Southern Baptist Church. Family and friends will attest she always made sure to give the best birthday and Christmas presents. For expectant mothers, this meant handmade baby blankets. Above all, Barbara was a bright light that touched every soul she encountered. She was never “just a friend.” Instead, she always became a “best friend” who would do anything to share her love, joy and zest for life and people. She will be greatly missed, as will her memorable stories, her unforgettable jokes, her engaging conversations, her sincere interest in others and other points of view – and her everlasting care and kindness for everybody she encountered. Curiosity and courage were her oars in the river of life. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Lorane Coker, and her brother, Kenneth Coker. She is survived by her husband, Joe Brown; her children, Charles Brown, Kyra Brown, and Felina Torres (Tony Torres); her grandchildren, Jessica Garard (Patrick Garard), Leigh Call (Blake Call), Lucas Brown, Carlee Brown and Jace Torres; and her great grandchildren, Talia and Tegan. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. December 1, 2012, at First Southern Baptist Church, 951 N. Switzer Canyon Blvd. An open house will follow at the home of Joe and Barbara Brown, in Flagstaff, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.