Mary Frances Brown  6/24/1917 -3/14/2007

Mary Frances (Frankie) Gordon Brown passed away in the early morning hours of March 15, 2007, she was 89. Services are scheduled for Monday, March 19, 2007 at 10:00 AM in the Autry Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Bruce Webb officiating. Burial will be Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 10:00 AM at East View Cemetery in Vernon, Texas.

The family will receive visitors on Sunday, March 18, 2007 from 4 to 6 PM at the funeral home.

Born in Bush Knob, near Throckmorton, Texas on June 24, 1917, she was the fourth child of six children belonging to Frances Niles and Julia Jane Cole Gordon. She married Paul James Brown on October 15, 1939, in the pastor’s study of First Baptist Church of Throckmorton, Texas. For over twenty years, they lived in Vernon, Texas, where Paul worked for the Texas Highway Department until his death on December 8, 1972. After his death, Frankie worked one year as a dorm mother for San Marcos Baptist Academy and then moved to Jacksonville, Texas, to be near two of her sisters. For eleven years, she worked as a teacher’s aide for remedial students and as a substitute teacher in the Jacksonville Independent School District. She was patient and persistent in helping others develop their abilities and achieve their potential. She was also a member of the Mary Martha Sunday School Class of Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

Known in her family for her intense loyalty, unwavering faith, and a quiet determination to make the best of what life brings, Frankie was totally devoted to her family and her church. She was a fervent prayer warrior and was often called on by members of her family to pray for specific needs. In Vernon, during the 1950’s and 60’s, she served in various roles for the First Baptist Church including president of Women’s Missionary Union, superintendent of the Junior Sunday School Department, Director of the Junior Department for Vacation Bible School and several church committees.

Along with her husband Paul, her greatest role was the raising of her two boys—Randell Grant Brown and James Michael Brown. Throughout their lives, she was their greatest fan and encourager. She instilled a strong faith in God along with the values of honesty, determination and perseverance in their journey to become responsible men. When they married, she accepted their wives, Judy Baird Brown and Kay Nowlin Brown, as her own daughters.

In addition to her husband, Paul James Brown, those preceding her in death include her parents; Francis & Julia Gordon, one sister, Lois Gordon Thomas, and two brothers, Clifford Raymond Gordon and Harrell Edwin Gordon.

Surviving are her two sons and their wives Randell & Judy Brown, Ft Worth and Dr. James Michael & Kay Brown, Clear Lake two sisters, Virginia Offord and husband Roland and Ethelyne Sparkman, both of Jacksonville. Also surviving are two grandchildren, Daniel Paul Brown and wife Amanda of Houston and Kathryn Brown Horner and husband Mitchell of Waco, and two great grandchildren, Madeline Carole Brown and Karoline Kay Horner, one niece, Julie Owen and three nephews; Hamlin Offord, David Gordon and Lynn Sparkman.

Information from Autry Funeral Home