Barbara M. Brown

1953 - 2012

Barbara M. Brown

LAFAYETTE - Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Barbara M. Brown, 59, who died on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at Lafayette General Medical Center in Lafayette surrounded by her family.

Reverend Steve LeBlanc will officiate the Memorial Services. Karen Broussard, organist and soloist, will sing for the services, "Amazing Grace," "On Eagles' Wings," and "The Lord's Prayer."

She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband, Bruce Brown of Lafayette, LA; her parents, Earl and Ethel Leger Mayfield, Sr. of Jennings, LA; one sister, Patricia Mayfield of Lafayette, LA; one brother, Earl Mayfield, Jr. and his wife, Marilyn of Woodstock, GA; one niece, Beth Gearheard and her husband Nall of Sandy Springs, GA; one great niece, Ella Grace Gearheard; and two great nephews, Eli and Walker Gearheard.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents.

Barbara was born and raised in Jennings, where she developed an early love of reading nurtured by frequent trips with the family to the Carnegie Library. She also enjoyed a love of sports, tagging along with her umpire father to the ballpark and to football games. Both interests would prove formative in her adult life.

She attended USL (now the University of Louisiana), majoring in English education and library science, and was a member of Honors Seminar. Barbara received her BA degree in 1975 and taught for three years at Paul Breaux Middle School before spending the remainder of her 37-year career in education at Acadiana High. While at AHS, Barbara taught English as well as directing the school's yearbook for a successful 18 years. She has been an AHS librarian for the last 5 years, bringing modernization and innovation to that task and relishing the chance to share her love of reading with others while teaming with Lori Fangue.

Fellow educators knew her as a dedicated professional who put students first and was always willing to help other teachers. She was active with the school's honors night and graduation programs, and never shied away from added duties.

While attending USL, Barbara met and fell in love with Bruce Brown, The two became inseparable almost from their first date in 1972, and they married on Dec. 20, 1975. Joining her sportswriter husband on many assignments, Barbara became a skillful statistician and helper as they attended football, basketball, baseball, softball and soccer games and became fixtures at track meets.

Theirs was a pairing made in Heaven, heightened by her fierce loyalty, devotion, gentle humor and undying affection.

Addressing life's challenges piqued Barbara's interest in solving puzzles, and she typically threw herself into such tests with zeal, whether for the family or for friends. Throughout her life, Barbara was always concerned with the needs of others above her own.

She found peace in her garden, joy in Sunday morning walks around the USL campus with Bruce and their dogs Sophie, Minnie and Buddy, contentment snuggled with warm toes and a good book, and humor in the little gems life offered.

Barbara was smarter than she would admit, stronger than she realized and braver than anyone knew, a noble heart now silenced.

The family requests that visitation be observed at Martin & Castille's DOWNTOWN location on Saturday, January 5, 2013 from 10:00 AM until time of services..

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille - DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA. 70506. 337-234-2311