Jean Tyler Brown

Jeanne Tyler Brown of Colorado Springs, Colorado, went home to be with the Lord on April 29, 2025, at the age of 86. Jeanne was a source of joy and inspiration to everyone who met her. She was well-known for her loving faithfulness to Jesus, and her deep love for her family and friends. She brought light and laughter into every room she entered.

Jeanne was born in a log cabin near the Cumberland Gap in Virginia on July 1, 1938, to Ray and Veral Tyler. She spoke often of her tomboy childhood, climbing trees with her rowdy cluster of cousins. When she attended UT Knoxville’s nursing program, she established and conducted a women’s chorus which remains active today. Upon graduation, Jeanne began a nursing career that would span nearly 45 years. In the early days, she served on the team that established the first ICU at Baptist Hospital in Tennessee. Jeanne married her beloved husband, Julian Emerson Brown, Jr., on March 2, 1963, in the chapel at Atlanta’s Grady Hospital, where she worked as an ER and OR nurse.

When she and Julian became parents a few years later, Jeanne took time off from nursing to stay home with their two daughters, Molly and Mandy. The family moved from Atlanta to Columbia, South Carolina, and then Doylestown, Pennsylvania, before landing in Fresno, California in the late 70s.

Jeanne was an active member and deacon of every church she attended—St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta; Calvary Presbyterian and First Presbyterian in Fresno; and First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs. She was active in her churches’ Precepts Bible Study groups for decades. In addition to her duties as a deacon, she sang in the choir at Calvary, volunteered in the thrift store at First Pres Fresno, and served in the library and mailroom at First Pres Colorado Springs.

After several years as a stay-at-home mom, Jeanne returned to nursing at Madera Community Hospital and the VA Hospital in Fresno. Through her service as a deacon, Jeanne met Nancy Hinds, a pioneer in the Hospice movement. She soon joined Nancy in establishing the nation’s first hospice home, providing care for thousands of patients and families in the San Joaquin Valley. She also adored volunteering at Valley Children’s Hospital in Fresno.

After Julian’s death in 1999, Jeanne traveled extensively with her daughter Molly. Their travels included trips to England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and more. She loved reliving and retelling the highlights of each train ride, cruise, and safari.

Jeanne moved to Colorado Springs in 2006 to be near Mandy’s family. She loved being

“Granny,” and attended every play and recital for her granddaughters. She was a favorite audience member even among the kids who didn’t claim her as their own (though they did all call her “Granny”) thanks to her enthusiastic support and contagious laughter.

Jeanne joined First Pres immediately after moving to Colorado Springs, and spoke highly of their choir, Big Blue. She loved the local philharmonic, holding season tickets with her dear friend Karen Bodmer, and was a daily listener of Bill McGlaughlin’s show on KCME. This was a continuation of her lifetime love of classical music. She’d held season tickets to the Fresno Philharmonic as well and had always adored Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She was a big fan and patron of the Atlanta Master Chorale. One December in Atlanta, Jeanne and Molly enjoyed ten Christmas concerts in two weeks.

From Colorado, Jeanne continued her travels with Molly, even bringing the young granddaughters along on a Mediterranean cruise. When at home, Jeanne found joy in her garden, in classical and choral music, in books (especially mystery novels, biographies, and profiles of the British royal family), and in watching Jeopardy!, Palace Confidential, professional golf tournaments, and BritBox.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Brenda. She is survived by her daughters, Molly Brown and Mandy Houk (Peter), and her granddaughters, Emmy Duddles (Lucas) and Bethany Houk.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jeanne’s life on June 16, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be available via livestream at firstprescos.org.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to Hinds Hospice (hindshospice.org).