Mary Frances Brown

Mary Frances (Tinsley) Brown passed away on February 15, 2014 in Midland. She was 86 years old. A rosary vigil will be held Wednesday, February 19, at St. Ann's Catholic Church at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Ann's Catholic Church with Fr. Warren, III officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Mary Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Warren, Jr. She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Anne Hobby and fiancé Wallace H. Craig of Midland, and Melanie Elaine Young and husband Scott of Dallas; two sons, Paul Tinsley Brown of Midland, and Rev. Warren A. Brown, III, OMI, of San Antonio and Rome, Italy; five grandchildren, Sarah Hernandez and husband Jason, Andrew Hobby, Taylor Young, Audrey Young and Mitchell Young; two great grandchildren, Warren and Harvey Hernandez; and by numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Frances was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 15, 1927 to Shelley Scott and Jewel (Cook) Tinsley who have preceded her in death. Mary Frances' only sibling was her older sister, Margaret Leschper who also predeceased her. When she was eight years old, the family moved from Shreveport to live near Ruston, Louisiana in the community of Cooktown, where everyone was related to Mary Frances and members of the Cook family. The family was involved in farming, and their social activity revolved around Cooktown Baptist Church. She said that one of those who made the biggest impression on her was her grandmother, who everyone called "Ma Fish," a woman with a lot of style. Mary Frances graduated from Ruston High School in 1945 and later from Louisiana Tech University (then Louisiana Polytechnic Institute) in 1949 with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education. She had several teaching assignments in small towns near Ruston where she taught a variety of children from different backgrounds. She traveled to New Orleans with some teacher friends for summer work in department stores in 1952 and got a job with the California Company where she met her future husband, Warren Austin Brown, Jr. Mary Frances and Warren married in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 19, 1953. Warren was working for Texaco and they lived a few years in New Orleans and New Iberia, Louisiana, and then Fort Worth, Texas, before they were finally transferred by Texaco to Midland in 1959. Mary Frances was an active member in the community, including St. Ann's Parish and school, participating in many church activities and ministries; she was a member and president of the St Ann's Altar Society, volunteered in the gift shop, taught CCD and sang for many years in St. Ann's Choir. After all her children had begun school, she taught elementary school with the Midland Independent School District at DeZavala, Travis and Jones elementary schools from 1969-1990 and organized the planting of trees at Anson Jones elementary school prior to her retirement. She was active in scouting, serving as a den mother for Cub Scouts and a Girl Scouts leader; she served many years on the Midland County Child Welfare Board, and participated in the American Association of University Women, Texaco Wives, and the Midland Teachers Retirement Association. Mary Frances found joy in corresponding with Warren's large family and enjoyed working with her hands sewing, painting ceramics, quilting and scrapbooking. She and Warren enjoyed many years of traveling after they both retired and spending time with family and friends at their beautiful cabin home in the David Mountain Resort. The family wishes to thank her doctors that were so caring, especially Dr. James Carrell, DDS, and the loving staff at Manor Park that cared for Mary Frances over the past years keeping her active and supplied with arts and crafts, dominos and bingo games. We wish to thank the St. Ann's and St. Stephen's staff and parishioners for providing a way for her to continue to practice her faith with weekly masses and communion. Pallbearers will be Scott Young, Mitchell Young, Andrew Hobby, Jason Hernandez, Scott Bowman and Terry Blair. Memorials can be made to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 327 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78216 or to the Village at Manor Park, 2208 N Loop 250 West, Midland, Texas 79707, or to your favorite charity. Services are entrusted with Ellis Funeral Home. Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.