surrounded by her loving family, at her home in Spring, Texas, on September 5, 2023. She was born October 4, 1931, in Burleson County, Texas, to Mary Elizabeth and Elbert C. Smith.
In 2008, she married her true love, James (Jim) Brown, in Shepherd, Texas, and he survives her. She is also survived by four daughters, Gail Bevill, Pamela Bennett and her husband Darrell Bennett, Joni Lunsford, Nancy Dexter and her husband Edward Dexter, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Through her marriage to Jim, she is survived by his children David Brown, Denna Rhoden and Daniel Brown, with their spouses and families. Also, continuing to be blessings to her are Willa Mae Dupuis, Vicki Brinkley, Donna Ramos, Elaine Reitz and Herve Pendleton, along with their spouses and families.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her son Terry Lunsford, baby Peggy Ruth Lunsford, her son-in-law Glenn Bevill and her two brothers, Billy Smith and Albert Smith.
Demple attended Caldwell High School, where she was a twirler and played clarinet in the marching band. For her senior year, she transferred to Killeen High School, where she was the drum major, and graduated in 1949.
She began her family in Houston, and spent her days and nights raising her five children, going to church, studying the Bible, teaching Sunday School, sewing baby dresses and blankets, Easter dresses, and Halloween costumes.
She loved being Granny to her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. The little ones loved her and loved knowing they were always welcome at Granny’s, where there was always a box of toys waiting, and their Granny as a fun playmate. Everything she did was done with her whole being, whether it was sitting on the floor playing with the babies, pretend snowball fights with the kids, weekly Bible classes for the great grandchildren or card games and dominoes with family and friends.
After her children were older, she began her career in the insurance business, working 25 years for State Farm agents in Friendswood, before retiring to enjoy more time with her family.
Demple was a sweet, beautiful and very generous lady, of strong faith and devotion to God and her family. The love she shared with her husband, family and friends is already missed, but lives on with each of us. Her little great great granddaughter Penny added “We miss you, Granny, and we love you. Kiss, kiss.”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cashnerconroe.com for the Brown family.
