Waynetta Joyce Brown

Waynetta Joyce Brown (Lawson, Rude), 90, of Mount Vernon, Washington, joined her heavenly father, Lord and Savior on June 26, 2026. Waynetta was born on July 10, 1935, in Spokane, Washington. She is now reunited in heaven with her parents Vera (Barton) and Wayne Lawson, and her siblings Dean Kincaid, Wayne Lawson, David Lawson and Marilu Malott (Lawson). She is survived by her sister, Eilene Zachry (Kincaid), and children: Steve Rude (Christin), Terry Rude (Lindsey), Tami Dugan, and Brett Rude (Jennifer). She also leaves behind seven grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, friends and students. Waynetta is proceeded in death by her former spouses, the late William Albert Rude and the late Patrick Brown.

From early childhood Waynetta loved music, becoming the pianist at her local church at age nine. Her passion to impart her love for music led to a 50+ year career teaching piano, accordion, guitar, and ukulele at Cascade Music, in Marysville, Washington.

Her experience was extensive and includes being the keyboardist and vocalist with the "Tulalip Gospel Singers and Band" for 30 years. Vacations were spent traveling to Alaska and the southern states performing at conventions. She was privileged to accompany world renowned gospel song writer, TBN personality, and performer "Bill Gaither". She was invited to be the piano accompanist for the congregation of the local "Kroeze Brothers" - who were also featured weekly on TBN.

An Honorary Member of Tulalip Tribal Nation, Marysville, [2000] her life’s work blended music education, gospel performance, and cultural preservation, making her a respected figure in both the music and community sectors of the Pacific Northwest. Her inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who underscores her lasting impact as an educator and cultural contributor.

She found her true purpose in life growing in the Lord, loving her family and guiding them on their own spiritual journeys. Waynetta was very young when she lost her daddy to an early death. She tells the story of how she prayed, telling God that He would now have to be her new father. She attended Mission Bible Institute, in Maryville, graduating in 1954. Later in life, she served as a church leader at the Tulalip Church of God, Christian Family Center, on Camano Island, and The Father’s House, in Mount Vernon. She was proud to report that she almost never missed Sunday worship and participated in many weekly events and extracurricular activities at church, throughout her life. She had a remarkable gift for encouraging others through prayer, wisdom, and genuine love. Countless people have shared that her words, her prayers, and her steadfast faith left an unforgettable mark on their lives.

A celebration of Waynetta’s life will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Grove Church in Marysville.