Zenas B. Z. B. Brown

ZENAS B. Z.B. BROWN Zenas B. “Z.B.” Brown passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2003 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center with family and friends by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 27 at Highland Baptist Church with Rev. Barry Camp officiating. Private burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 26 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Zenas was the twelfth and last child born to G.W. and Elizabeth Casey Brown on November 7, 1926 in Marlin, Texas. He spent most of his Depression Era youth helping to support his once affluent family, while at the same time trying to complete his education. He later met the former Imogene “Gene” Davidson of Mart, Texas, while traveling by bus to a USO dance during World War II. They later married, and spent their lives together from February 2, 1946 until her death on July 25, 1977. During their short time together, they were given the opportunity to travel the world extensively thanks to his leadership, competitive spirit, and dedication to excellence in the life insurance industry. Many of his clients remember him more as a friend than a salesman, who made a practice of paying a client’s premium out of his own pocket if their funds happened to run short that month. From 1963 to 1983, at the time of his retirement, Z.B. was one of the most accomplished, award winning agents in the history of Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company. Starting out early in his career, he managed to hold a consistent position in the Top 10 in sales for the entire country. By the 1970’s, he had pushed his way all the way up to Number 2, maintaining this position for several years before reaching the coveted title of Number 1 Salesperson in the Country, first in 1976, and then again in 1978. Zenas holds a permanent position of honor as one of the all-time top salesmen in the company’s Hall of Fame. Brown was a devoted member of Highland Baptist Church, where he served as head of the church’s Personnel Committee, as well as Head Usher, a duty he proudly performed, all the way up until the time of his passing. He led a very full and rewarding life, often missing the presence of his wife, Gene by his side, but forever thankful for the life he cherished as a Christian, which he felt made his life complete. Survivors include his daughters, Donna Brown Salome of Waco, and Janet Brown Jones and husband Mike of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Rell Salome, Stanton Salome and Renessa-Renee Sharp; great granddaughter, Morgan Sharp; and nieces, Rosalis Tyboroski of Marlin, Frances Miller of Dallas and Mary Agnes Dimotsis of San Antonio. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Parkinson Foundation. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our ''Memorial Guestbook'' at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY