Elaine R. Brown

Elaine R. Brown of Athens, GA died on January 9, 2013, at the age of 93. She was born in Hornell, NY to Earl Richtmyer and Hazel Kreason Richtmyer. She grew up during the depression helping on her grandparents' farm and in the family grocery store, Richtmyer's Food Mart. Elaine graduated from Alfred University in 1939 with a degree in Business and worked for the Erie Railroad until 1942. At Alfred, she met Robert H. Brown who had come to teach and study for an engineering degree. They were married in 1942 and traveled the country while Bob served in the U. S. Navy during World War II. She and Bob moved to Athens, GA in 1948. The Browns were members of Athens First United Methodist Church where Elaine served as President of the UMW on two different occasions, sang in the choir and served on the Administrative Board. She also served her community as Regent of the Elijah Clark Chapter of the DAR, President of the University Women's Club and member of Kiwanis. She believed in staying active and was still attending yoga and Jazzercise classes and mowing her three-acre lawn into her 90's. Elaine was not famous in the worldly sense thru career or financial portfolio. She was famous in the spiritual way for her love and care for other people. She filled her days helping her husband, family, church and community friends as well as strangers. Her smile showed that she loved others without judgment or condition. Mrs. Brown is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents, Earl and Hazel Richtmyer, her sisters Velma Richtmyer and Rene Robinson, and her brother Bill Richtmyer. She is survived by her three children, Rev. Mari Lane Brooks of Gainesville, GA; son, Wendell Brown of Arlington, VA; and her daughter Becky Tolbert of Marietta, GA; daughter in law, Alice Brown and son in law Fred Tolbert. She has seven grandchildren, Patrick Craig, and wife Karen, Katy Daniels and husband Jeff Daniels, Jeff Brown, Greg Brown and wife Becky, Sharon Brown, Anna Tolbert and Claire Tolbert. She has one great grandchild, Benjamin Daniels. A Memorial service will be held at Athens First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2013. The family will greet guests at a reception afterwards in the church fellowship hall. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are requested for Dr. Robert H. Brown Scholarship Fund.