Marta Lee Brown

Marta was born December 24th, 1938, in Whittier Ca. and passed away September 14th, 2021, at the age of 82 at Warr Acres Nursing Home of natural causes. Marta moved to OKC when she was 7 years old. Mom grew up on an acreage off NW 42nd and Lincoln, where she had many horses and loved to ride them. Mom was the only daughter and had four brothers. Mom graduated from Northeast High School. Mom was a championship roller skater at The Rocket Skating Rink where she met the love of her life Gerald “Wayland” Brown. Mom and dad were married September 20th, 1957. They had two children Kelly and Tammy. Mom worked as an executive secretary for Caston Lumber Co., Classic Motors and her last job was TG&Y Headquarters. Mom and Dad’s absolute favorite place to go was New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi. We always went every spring and fall. This tradition carried on after we grew up, usually ending up with the entire family, kids and grandkids going. Mom was a planner, so we always had new adventures on our trips. Once she talked a caretaker of an uninhabited plantation to let us in and take a tour. When Mom married Dad, he was already into car racing. She supported him and his hobby, he built race cars from the ground up and they were car owners, we literally went to the races every Friday at State Fair Speedway since we were born. Dad taught us how to build and tear down engines and work on cars, when we were old enough, we were on the pit crews alongside Mom. We raced across Oklahoma and other states. Later her two grandsons Jimmy and J.W. followed the family tradition and raced at State Fair Speedway where she would go watch them every chance she could, sitting on the handicapped ramp in front getting slung with mud and she loved it! In 1975 at the age of 37, tragedy struck when Mom went in for a thyroid surgery and was injured due to a doctor’s negligence. Mom spent 95 days in ICU and had brain damage. Her speech was also affected, and she never walked again. After two years of having a nurse at home and many rehab specialist she regained her memory and IQ however her speech was still greatly affected. In 1975 dad opened Wayland Brown’s plumbing, working out of the home. In 1980 Mom and dad bought a plumbing shop and opened Brown & Taylor Plumbing, Heat and Air. They also owned Nava Tech an Asbestos abatement company. Dad would bring Mom to the office, and mom would type on her typewriter and do what she could to help the business. Tammy took care of mom every day and ran the company business for 20 years. Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer October 2000, soon after dad passed away in 2001. Mom went to live with Tammy with hospice helping and Mom’s cancer disappeared. In 2004 Mom went into various nursing homes, and the last 4 years she lived in Warr Acres Nursing Center. Some things about Mom, she loved to garden, game shows, shopping, jewelry, fashion and loved taking care of our home. She was member of Nichols Hills Baptist Church Now Quail Springs Baptist Church and sang in the choir, she had a beautiful voice, she was a devoted to her Christian faith. She was a lifetime Eastern Star. More than anything she loved her family, everyone called her Mema. She was an absolute wonderful kind and caring Mother. She very seldom felt sorry for herself and always had a smile on her face. She absolutely cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Although our heart breaks for her not being with us we rejoice knowing she is no longer suffering with being in a wheelchair for 46 years and can now walk and talk and dance with her “Way”. Mom was predeceased by her husband Wayland Brown and infant son Danny Linn. Parents Mack and Genny George. Brothers, Bob Williams, Gene Hartman, David and Jeffrey George. sister-in-law Benna Pappin. Survived by her two daughters Kelly Brown Taylor and Tamara Lee Brown Schnorr. Grandchildren: Mandy and Steve Griffin, Jimmy and Tiffany Taylor, Jacqueline Lee Schnorr and James Wayland “J.W.” Schnorr. Great Grandchildren: Austin, Josh, Tyler, Dylan, Kaden and Andrea. Sister-in-laws: Mary Hartman, Cheryl George and Flo Williams. Nieces and Nephews: Bill and Fran Pappin, Ryan, Tracie, Aubrey, Christopher, Angie, Mike, Lucy, Nathaniel, Trent, Ashley, Liam, Will, Lisa, John Henry, Tony, Marcella, Mark, Chris, Valerie and Melanie.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.billmerrittfuneralservice.com for the Brown family.