Grace Helen Brown

Grace Helen Brown, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mentor, and friend, died Wednesday, March 29, 2017. She was born in Spencer, Indiana on June 21, 1942. She was the daughter of Frank and Dorothy Martin who preceded her in death and sister Eloise Masten, recently deceased. She is survived by her husband, Clyde L. Brown, her loving daughter, Jessica Rich (Johnny), and two granddaughters, Helen Elizabeth Rich and Lucy Grace Rich and brother David Martin (Beverly).

An educator for thirty-seven years, she received her bachelor's degree from Olivet Nazarene University, a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. She was an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church.

Helen served on the Board of Directors for the March of Dimes, Metropolitan Nashville Community Services Agency, Institutional Review Board (Saint Thomas Hospital), Harding Academy, Calvary Young Children's School, WDCN-ITV, Nashville Children's Theatre, Nashville Institute for the Arts, Junior League Advisory Board, the Centennial Club, a member of the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, and was an alumna of Leadership Nashville. Helen served in many leadership roles for International Reading Association at the local, state, southeast region, and international levels. She served on editorial review boards for several major publishing companies. During Helen's tenure in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, she held many titles- teacher, Special Education Consultant, Director of Programs and Staff Development including the Encore program, Director of Elementary Schools, and Assistant Superintendent for Elementary and Middle Schools. Believing that the Arts are basic in education, Helen became an advocate for opera in the schools. This was the beginning of a long commitment to the Nashville Opera. After retiring in 2000, Helen was an active volunteer for the Nashville Opera Guild including three years as President. In 2010, Helen received the highly prized Partner's in Excellence Award from Opera Volunteers International and in 2015 the Francis Robinson Award for outstanding service to the Nashville Opera.

Helen is especially remembered for her loving and generous spirit and for her smile that brightened every room. Her perseverance and effective service as a lifelong teacher touched so many lives. She was especially devoted to her husband, daughter and granddaughters.

A memorial service to celebrate Helen's life will be held on Tuesday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church with visitation prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Nashville Opera Guild Memorial Fund or Calvary United Methodist Church.