Audrey "Nan" Brown

Audrey Anne Nan Young Brown August 17, 1934 April 28, 2013 Audrey Anne Nan Brown, born August 17, 1934 to Margaret and R. Audrian Young, passed away early Sunday morning, April 28, 2013 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer's disease. Visitation with the family will be 5:00 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX. A cremation service will be held at a much later date. Nan was a West Texas girl who found she preferred to be surrounded by trees. She was born and spent her early childhood in San Angelo, TX, later moving with her family to Pampa and then McLean, TX. She attended McLean High School, where she was a cheerleader and loved attending the local country western dances. When her family moved to Ballinger, TX, Nan stayed with friends to finish her senior year at McLean. Nan skipped a grade in elementary school, which meant she began her freshman year at Baylor University a month after turning 17. Nan called Waco home for the rest of her life. While still a student at Baylor, Nan married Rodney L. Brown, Sr. on August 8, 1953 in Ballinger Texas. Rodney, the brother of her college suitemate, was stationed at James Connolly Air Force Base at the time. Nan would tell the story of how she and friends headed into the damage after the 1953 Waco tornado, receiving a horror-stricken upbraiding from Rodney for stepping over live wires. They still were married almost 60 years. Nan graduated from Baylor University in 1955 with a degree in Education, and taught at Hillcrest and Kendrick Elementary School before raising three children and devoting time to community and church. At Seventh & James Baptist Church, Nan taught children and college students, served in numerous ministries and was honored to be elected as one of its first female deacons and deacon chairs. In 2012, she was selected as the church's third Deacon Emeritus. She participated and served as a leader in a number of community organizations, including PTA, Waco Cotton Palace, Junior League, Brazos River Festival, Planned Parenthood and especially Waco Family Counseling and Children's Services, where she served many years on the board of directors. Nan was a lifelong learner, participating in bible studies, Thursday Book Study Club and continuing education classes, joining historical and wildlife travels, and becoming an avid birder. She believed strongly in equality and justice, and supported religious and political causes accordingly. Favorite trips included cruises, family reunions in Colorado, and a final trip to Paris. She delighted most in time spent with family, children and grandchildren. Nan had a gift for building family and community. She had a warm, generous and joyful spirit and made her home a nurturing place that reflected it. She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Ray E. Young and an infant brother, Weldon Victor. She is survived by her husband Rodney L. Brown, Sr. of Waco, TX; children, Rodney L. Brown, Jr. of Seattle, WA, Lyn Brown Kent of Tulsa, OK, and Kevin L. Brown of Chicago, IL.; their spouses, Catherine Conolly, Paul Kent, and Harriett Kelley; grandchildren, Andrew L. Kent of Kampala, Uganda, Abbey C. Brown of New York, NY, Collin L. Kent of Washington, DC., and Benjamin K. Brown of Chicago, IL. The surviving siblings are Sue Hovey, Lyle Young, Eugene Young, and sister-in-law, Vera Dean Day, and many cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Waco Foundation Brown Family Fund for Alzheimer's Research, a Waco Foundation operated fund, or to Seventh and James Baptist Church, 602 James Avenue, Waco, TX 76706. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey