Reverend Barbara Carlene Brown's Obituary
REVEREND BARBARA CARLENE BROWN
Barbara Carlene Brown of Tacoma, WA was born July 11, 1950 to the union of Carl Rueben and Lillie Ruth Brown of Waco, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents. She was the youngest of two children. On Thursday, July 23, 2020, Barbara slipped into the waiting arms of her God.
Barbara graduated from A. J. Moore High School in Waco, Texas and later earned a B.A. in Government Administration from Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX and a M.A. in Public Administration from Webster University, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Her many talents distinguished her throughout her life, and early in her career those talents were the basis of her selection for the U. S. Army Material Command (AMC) Internship Program. After fifteen most productive years of civilian employment functioning as a Program Analyst, Management Analyst, Budget Analyst, and Program Integration Specialist, she left federal service to prepare to answer the call on her life to preach the gospel.
Four years later in 1990, Barbara graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma with concurrent degrees, a Master of Divinity (M Div) and a Masters in Christian Education (MACE). In 1996, The Oklahoma Conference of The United Methodist Church ordained her as Elder.
Stepping into full time ministry, she embarked upon the most challenging and the most rewarding time of her life. Always a people person, Barbara was in her element. Whether her ministerial appointments were for Associate Pastor or Senior Pastor, she drew upon her God, her call, and her abilities to develop each parishioner fully.
During Barbara’s assignment in Hugo, Oklahoma, she identified a need, took the initiative, and resolved the issue. She started with writing a grant to fund the building of a new a three-bedroom, two-bath parsonage. She oversaw its construction and shared with the Hugo St. Paul’s Chapel family in the delight at its completion. It was one of several projects which brought her great pleasure.
Over the years, she wrote and had approved individual grants that provided curriculum and musical instruments for her churches, and created a community multi-generational, multi-cultural swim program which provided free swimming lessons for 100 people from ages 6 months to 90 years old. Many felt she served well.
Working with and through The United Methodist Church and community organizations, she gave the gospel hands and feet to those who were the lost, suffering, homeless, and hungry. It delighted her no end to lead lost souls to Christ. She never tired of telling His Story.
For approximately 20 years, Barbara provided pastoral ministry at small membership congregations in Oklahoma. She retired from ministry in 2017.
She leaves to mourn her passing her only brother, Bruce Brown of Waco, TX; step-mother, Irene Brown of Tacoma, WA; nephews, Charles D. Brown; Charles Brown, Jr; and Marcus Brown, all of San Antonio, TX; nieces, Nicole Brown and Aramani Brown, all of San Antonio, TX; cousins, Jewel Marie Brown, Leslie Brown, Kortynd Brown, Andrea M. Brown, U. L. Waits, Billy D. Waits, and Loretta Sargent, all of Waxahachie, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.
To anyone fortunate enough to be her friend, she offered her listening ear, positive (upbeat) attitude, hilarious sense of humor, encouraging voice, compassionate heart, keen, analytical mind, and ready helping hands. She always told the truth. Her friends appreciated that most because her compassion prevented her from hurting their tender feelings at the moment of their ridiculous acts. When their wounds were healed and they could see the error of their ways, together they laughed at that ridiculousness. She was our faithful, dependable friend.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?