Faye Brown

Faye passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, at Harmony Memory Care Facility, in Conroe, Texas.  Faye was surrounded by her loved ones and two of her caregivers at the time of her passing.

Faye was born on January 20, 1930, to James F. and Cara B. Wright, in Fox, Oklahoma.  She was the youngest of five children.  When Faye was eleven years old, the family moved to Levelland,Texas, where she attended school, played on the volleyball team, and graduated high school.  She went on to work at Hatch’s Pharmacy for several years after high school, where she loved working behind the counter, cooking the burgers and preparing milkshakes and fountain drinks while visiting with people from town.

Faye married Fred A. Brown on May 31, 1951, with her sister, Christine, serving as Matron of Honor, and Fred’s brother, Meadow, as Best Man. Fred and Faye enjoyed many activities together, such as fishing, camping, and traveling. They also enjoyed entertaining friends and family whenever possible and were always ready for an impromptu game of dominoes along with coffee and homemade desserts after a Sunday evening church service or weekly choir practice. The Brown family moved to Nederland in 1967 where they eventually joined the First Baptist Church.  Faye began volunteering at the church library to assist her friend, Pola Bailey.  Initially, Faye was to catalogue the audio-visual items for Ms. Bailey, but Faye knew she could do much more and ended up being a long-term volunteer, editing and even repairing all audio-video items.  She often assisted in audio-taping and later video taping the sermons then splicing & editing each service, so the tapes were available for those unable to attend services in person.

Faye always had an entrepreneurial spirit, selling Tupperware and other products over the years.  However, once her two daughters married, she ventured into small business in a big way, opening her own frame shop, Faye’s Frames at 108 31st Street, Nederland.  Faye’s framing business kept her engaged with the public and allowed her creativity to be put to use in practical ways.  Her shadow boxes and the many ways she managed to beautifully display and frame unusual keepsake articles for her customers was always received with exclamations of joy and appreciation.

Faye’s creative endeavors included jewelry making, crochet, stained glass, sewing, painting, and gardening, where her green thumb was a delight to all who received her delicious produce. In addition, she delved into genealogy, researching her family’s roots and traveling to the Carolinas to meet distant family members and attend reunions. She loved coca-cola, card games, spending time with her family and friends, traveling around the country to National Parks, and going on cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean.

Faye is survived by her daughter, Paula, her husband Ralph Thornell; daughter Deborah Evans, her fiancé, Don Nobori; grandchildren, Laura and Roger Ferrell, Vanessa Evans, John and Madeline Thornell, and James Evans along with his fiancé, Rebecca Barry; great grandchildren, David, Bryan and Tyler Ferrell, Jacob and Sadie Thornell, and Annaliese Kuykendall.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and sister.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 15, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and a service will be held on Friday, May 16, at 2:00 PM., with Pastor Emeritus Ray Meador of First Baptist Church, Nederland, attending. Arrangements are by Broussard’s Mortuary, Nederland, Texas.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the many caregivers at Harmony Memory Care of Conroe, Tx, and to Hospice 365 for their combined devotion and compassionate care for our mother.  You are all amazing and we love you!

A gathering of Mrs. Brown’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May, 15, 2025, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12^th Street, Nederland. A funeral service for Mrs. Brown will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2025, at Broussard’s 505 North 12^th, Street, Nederland, with her interment to Memory Gardens of Jefferson County, Nederland.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 620 Sea Island Road, Suite 324, St. Simons Island, GA, 31522.

Charity #CH38127

alzheimersresearchfoundation.com