Judy Brown

Judith Kay Petering was born on June 5, 1941, in Albion, Michigan, and was the second of four daughters born to Earl F.C. Petering and Helen Taylor Petering. Judy spent her formative years on Louisiana Avenue on Signal Mountain, graduating from Notre Dame High School in 1959. After high school, she attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Nursing School in Knoxville. It was during her time there she met the love of her life, Dr. Hugh “Bucky” Brown. Judy and Bucky were married on Signal Mountain in December 1963 while he was on Christmas break from UT Medical School. Their marriage soon became a family, raising young children at Air Force bases in San Antonio, TX and Fort Walton Beach, FL, as well as homes in Los Angeles, CA, New Orleans, LA, Jackson, MS, and Signal Mountain, TN, where she and Bucky would reside together for over 47 years while raising their children and engaging in the community. As a long-time member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church with Bucky, Judy was actively involved in worship, Sunday School, lay groups, and weekly meal deliveries to those in need. Her fellow SMPC congregants will miss her weekly presence in her favorite pew.

A woman of unwavering Christian faith, Judy was a beacon of Christ’s love for His church and His people. Her home is filled with Bibles, countless books on the Christian life, devotionals, meditations, and numerous notecards containing scripture and inspiration, each of which guided her days. Her Bibles were footnoted, underlined, highlighted and well-worn, and her life reflected her love of God’s Word. She was a woman of Proverbs 31:28, in which we read, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also; and he praises her.” Truly Bucky praised her, and he’ll miss her daily presence as he counts the blessing that she was in his life and in the life of their five children, who are all filled with gratitude for the gift that she was. Her children are Carol (Paul) Schoner of Signal Mountain; Hugh (Betsy) Brown of Walden; Laura (Jeff) Clark of Chattanooga; Sara (Drew) Fowler of Signal Mountain; and Michael (Renee) Brown of Atlanta. Bucky and the children look forward to that great day when they’ll see their beloved wife and mother again, for we are assured by Jesus Himself in John 14:2 that He has prepared a room for us in His Father’s house.

She was known as “Grandmommy” by her nine grandchildren: Peter Clark, Andrew Fowler, Caroline Clark, Lizzie Brown, William Fowler, Henry Clark, Hugh Brown, Catherine Fowler, and Hudson Brown, as well as her 10th grandchild, who is due in early 2027 (Michael and Renee). They could always count on Grandmommy having warm chocolate chip cookies at the ready when visiting, which was often.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sisters Joan Roberts, Janis Sisson and Jeannine Arnold. She is survived by her husband, her 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Judy’s life will be held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 8th. A reception and visitation will follow the service. Judy will be laid to rest at a private family burial in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Chattanooga Funeral Home East has been entrusted with her arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Bible in the Schools, Chambliss Center for Children, Ronald McDonald House Charities, or Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, each of which Judy loved and supported.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 South Moore Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.