Obituaries

Helen M. Brown

Photo of Helen M. Brown
Helen M. Brown, a long time resident of Fayetteville, Ark., passed way at age 95 of heart disease, on Dec. 5, 2016, in San Marcos, Calif. She was born in New Mexico near Roswell in 1921. Her parents were Joseph Morosi from Pistoia, Italy and Eva Long from Sky Took, Oklahoma Territory. Siblings (all deceased) were J. William Morosi, Margaret V. Roberts from Monterey Park, Calif., and Mildred Ann Hollis from San Luis Obispo, Calif. She was married to Dr. Donald A. Brown Sr,. for 51 years. Dr. Brown was a Professor Emeritus of Soil Science at the Univerity of Arkansas, Fayetteville. From the early 60's through the 80's, she worked as a secretary at the University of Arkansas in the Music Department for Mr. Ballenger and in the Legal Clinic founded by Hillary Clinton. Helen graduated from the Univerity of Arkansas in 1978 was a BA Degree in Journalism and English. She was a charter member of the University of Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. When she was a young woman, she attended New Mexico State College in Las Cruses, N.M., for a year and a half before she married Don. She was a charter member of the Chi Omega Sorority. She was an acomplished violinist and majored in Music at that time. She also worked as a secretary in the Agronomy Department. When she married Don, she paused her education and career to have three children (Donald A Brown Jr., deceased; Kenneth Lynn Brown, deceased, and Jocelyn E. Brown.) She was like a second mother to her nephews, Greg and Mike McDonald and her niece, Lauwana Hollis Elliott, when they lived with our family. Immanuel and Beatriz Nzambi and their four children fondly call her 'Mama Brown' because of her care for them when she and University Baptist Church sponsored them to the USA. As a consummate hostess, Helen was an accomplished baker and amateur gourmet cook. Her Italian spagetti sauce was famous. She enjoyed Bridge Club, Garden Club, Rural Builders Club, Laubach Literacy, the International Student Christian Association founded by Phil and Shirlee Lasse and other volunteer work. For many years, Helen and Don were active members of First Baptist Church. When the Nzambi family arrived, she and Don became active members at University Baptist Church. We love and miss her. We acknowledge the many people she influenced who still remember her fondly. Her love of people and her acts of kindness and generosity are memories that we hold dear. Surviving family members: Daughter: Jocelyn E. Brown, San Marcos, Calif.; Donna Pike Brown, Widow of Kenneth Lynn Brown, Bella Vista, Ark.; Grandsons: Michael Winston Brown, Fayetteville, AR (spouse: Ana Romero); Joel Donovan Brown, Chesapeake, VA (spouse, Sarah Hollinger). Brown Family Great Grandchildren: Joy, Faith, Hope (deceased), Paz, Hanna, Bethany, and Josiah. Nieces and Nephews: Mark Hollis, Lauwana Hollis Elliott, Donna Misterly, Kathy Clark, Bill Morosi, Dennis Roberts, Brian Roberts, Laura Huntington Davis, Keith Huntington, Connie Huntington, Laura Wright Seek, Rory Wright, David Brown, Shannon Marie Brown, Mike McDonald, Greg McDonald, Terrance McDonald, and Shannon McDonald. Life Celebration Service is on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016 to be held at Moores Chapel Funeral Home, 206 West Center St, Fayetteville, Ark. Visitation at 1 p.m. and Life Celebration Service at 2 p.m. Graveside gathering to follow. Donations may be made in memory of Helen M. Brown to the University of Arkansas or Ecclesia College in Springdale, Ark., or University Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Ark. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.

Published December 11, 2016

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