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RUTH MARIE WILCOX BROWN
1919 - 2009

In Loving Memory - by daughter, Connie

I am so very grateful to GOD for giving to me, Ruth Brown, as my mother. In my eyes, no one could ever have a better mother. She unconditionally loved me, unceasingly prayed for me, and set a wonderful GODly example for me to follow. Mother had already planted many seeds in my young heart about the LOVE of GOD by the time my precious Daddy started serving the LORD. She began training me as a child in the way I should go according to Proverbs 22:6 and I have not departed from it because of her faithfulness to the LORD. She was the one that first introduced me to JESUS and told me about HIS loving-kindness, redemption, and peace. I have so many sweet memories of the Bible devotions we had as she instructed me in the Scriptures and of the hymns and songs of praise and worship that we would sing together unto the LORD. Throughout my life I have witnessed first-hand Mother’s steadfast faith in GOD. During the best and the worst of circumstances and all the times in between she never wavered in her strong affirmation of the goodness of the LORD. Her trust in HIM only became deeper. It was a common sight for me to see her daily down on her knees praying, during the night and early morning hours as well as during the day. She also regularly fasted, many times for days or even a week or more, as she interceded in prayer on behalf of her family and others. Mother was never ashamed of the good news of JESUS. She was always ready to tell others about HIM, no matter who it was, whether it was a doctor or a restaurant server. Many in her immediate and extended family came to know the LORD because of her prayers and bold testimony.

I can never talk about one of my parents without also mentioning the other one, too. They were a team, united in JESUS' LOVE. When one of them comes to mind I soon start thinking about the other one, also. I always knew that I was deeply loved and cherished by Daddy and Mother. They expressed it regularly with their words and actions. Daddy went home to be with the LORD in 1994. He was a sweet and tender-hearted family man who loved and served GOD faithfully for many, many years. He strongly influenced my life for the LORD, just like Mother. My parents finished the race here on Earth and kept the faith and now a crown of righteousness belongs to them (II Timothy 4:7, 8). They both passed on to me a rich inheritance in the LORD, for which I will be forever thankful. I am eternally blessed. I love them and miss them greatly, but the sweet HOLY SPIRIT of GOD comforts my heart and I know I will be reunited with them some glorious day.

The following is an updated version of the obituary that appeared in the local paper:

Ruth Marie Wilcox Brown, 90, of Pensacola, went home to be with the LORD on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Mrs. Brown was born Monday, October 20, 1919 in Bonifay, FL and she lived most of her life in Pensacola. She was a GODly woman with a passion for JESUS and she boldly shared HIS message of love. She is dearly loved and greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, W. Frank and Lillian (Mattox) Wilcox, Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alton S. Brown; two sons, Jerald and Donald Land; grandson, William Rodney Land; sister, Monette Andrews; and brother, W. Frank Wilcox, Jr.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Geraldine Land, Michael S. and Lorraine Brown, and Lance A. and Vicky Brown; two daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and Bill Jones and Connie and Chuck Strickland; three sisters, Dorothy Culver, Hazel Y. Vanlandingham, and Muriel Hallford; daughters-in-law, Hazel Land and Mary Land; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert C. and Jill Brown. She is also survived by ten grandsons, thirteen granddaughters, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A loving celebration of Ruth's life was held Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael S. Brown and the Rev. Jeff Oettle officiating. Visitation with the family began one hour before the service. The graveside service followed at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Pallbearers were three grandsons, Jeremy Brown, Justin Brown and Timothy Strickland; a great-grandson, Stephen Holzinger; and two nephews, Stephen Vanlandingham and Earl Harrison.