Bessie K. Brown

BROWN, Bessie Kathleen – of Flint, passed away at the age of 82, Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Genesys Grand Blanc Hospice. Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the Brown Funeral Home, 1480 E. Hill Road, Grand Blanc, Michigan. Bessie was born August 23, 1932 in Mt. Morris, Michigan. She was the youngest of eight children born to Russell and Grace (MacDonald) Beckwith. Bessie was the last of her generation and was preceded in death by all of her seven brothers and sisters and their spouses, and her husband of 55 years, Robert W. Brown. She married Robert on September 30, 1950. He passed away August 13, 2005. Robert and Bessie had six children: Ralph Brown of Flint, Peter Brown of Alpena, Michael Brown of Flint, Carol Brown of Midland, David Brown of Burton, and Kathy Brown of Ann Arbor. The family also had several cats and dogs over the years that became part of the family. As her children grew, Bessie developed interests in being a volunteer, city politics, and furthering her education. She served several terms on the Flint Zoning Board and the Flint Tax Review Board, as well as memberships on citizen’s councils such as the City-Wide Advisory Committee. Bessie attended Flint Schools from Kearsley Elementary to her 1950 graduation from Flint Central. She than began enrolling in college classes. She continued with great determination until she earned an Associate’s Degree from Mott Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan-Flint. Bessie enjoyed time spent with family and friends, working in her yard, reading mysteries, long walks, and motorcycle trips with Bob. She will be sadly missed by her children, granddaughters, Tina and Tammy, great-grandsons, Anthony and Christopher and nieces and nephews who can all take great comfort in knowing that she loved them from the bottom of her enormous heart. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a Veteran’s organization, East Village Magazine or the National Parkinson’s Foundation. Share your condolences with the family at www.brownfh.com