Betty Jane Crittenden Brownlee

BROWNLEE, Betty Jane Crittenden In Loving Memory 1-13-1929/5-19-2011 We celebrate the life of Betty Jane Crittenden Brownlee, whom Jesus called home on May 19, 2011. Born Jan. 13, 1929, in Struthers, OH, Betty was the daughter of Lester Crittenden and Ester Blakeslee Crittenden. Betty attended Struthers High School, and worked as a comptometer operator (the first commercial key-driven mechanical calculator) in Strauss's Department Store. She married Merrel Frank "Curley" Brownlee, Jr., often saying, "From the minute I laid eyes on him, I knew he was the one for me." They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary April 6, 2011. Betty worked part-time as a hairstylist while raising her family in Struthers. She liked spending summers in lakeside campgrounds, where she relished the time with family and friends, participating in card games, Bingo, campfires, hall dances, potluck dinners, Christmas in July, and watching children play on hayrides. She and husband Frank camped every year with their children, and later their grandchildren. During winter, family camping began in Palm Harbor, with summers in Salem, OH. Betty and Frank moved permanently to Hudson, in 1997. Betty enjoyed various activities at her community clubhouse in Florida. She lived the art of giving from the heart, often cooking meals and sending them to ill neighbors. Happy moments were watching reruns of "Three's Company" and she ended her nights with laughter while watching "The Golden Girls." A woman of faith, she loved the Lord and attended The Church of God. Living in appreciation of everything in life, one would often hear her say, "I'm so lucky." Truly an inspiration to all who knew her, Betty's greatest gift to the world was her love and compassion for others. Acknowledged as God's greatest blessing to her family, Betty bestowed a lifetime of joy, humor, selflessness, and love without restrictions. Betty Brownlee is survived by her loving husband Frank; son Terrel Brownlee (Jackie) and daughter Patricia Brownlee Sansosti (Richard), Tampa; sons Mickey Brownlee and Brady Brownlee (Gerrie), Struthers, OH; sister Patricia Crittenden Naples (Philip), Struthers, OH; brother Claude (Henry) Crittenden (Carol), Youngstown, OH; brother Lester (Dutch) Crittenden, Poland, OH; grandchildren Mickey Ray, Cassy Lynn, Bradley, Brandi, and Jade; step-grandchildren Rusty (Rhonda); Darlene (Ronn), and great-grandson Caiden; step-great-grandchildren Russell and Rose; and 11 nieces and 11 nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her father Lester and mother Ester, and nephews Philip (Tingo) Naples, Randy Naples and Michael Quattro. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to HPH Hospice for Betty's loving care, and requests a monetary contribution be made to HPH Hospice, 6807 Rowan Rd., New Port Richey, FL 34653, in honor and memory of Betty Jane Crittenden Brownlee. A private service was held at Florida Mortuary in Tampa. Words of comfort may be expressed at floridamortuary.com 813-237-2900