Clara Kearley Brown

Clara Kearley Brown September 8, 1923 - August 24, 2010 COLUMBUS, GA— Clara Kearley Brown, 86, of Columbus, GA died Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Columbus Regional Medical Center.Ê Clara was born in Monroeville, Alabama on September 8, 1923, daughter of the late Alice and John Kearley.Ê ÊShe married her husband of 53 years, the late Francis R. Brown, on New YearÕs Eve 1947.Ê Clara devoted her life to care and service.Ê She graduated from Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1947, and was a member of the Nurse Cadet Corps.Ê She was a Registered Nurse. ÊShe was serving as assistant director of nursing at St. Francis Hospital when she co-founded the Pine Manor nursing home in 1967. Under her leadership as administrator of Pine and Oak Manor from 1967 to 1990, Pine Manor became the first nursing home in Georgia to accept patients in the Medicare program. ÊIn 1982, she was among GeorgiaÕs first certified nursing home administrators.Ê During her time with Pine and Oak Manor, Clara served as Secretary on the Georgia State Board of Nursing Home Administrators. ÊShe became a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Administrators in 1972, and later served as its National Secretary. ÊÊShe served as President of American College of Health Care Administrators and received the Georgia Nursing Home Administrator of the Year honor in 1973.Ê She served on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Health Care Association for many years.Ê Clara was instrumental in organizing Columbus Hospice in 1979 and served on the Board of Directors for 20 years. In 1999, she served as one of the three co-chairs that raised four million dollars to build Hospice House and help ensure no costs to the patient for hospice care in our community. ÊÊClaraÕs dedication to caring for the elderly touched many families of Columbus. ÊShe was a member of the Georgia Gerontology Society.Ê She organized the first AlzheimerÕs Support Group in Columbus, and received the Area Agency on Aging Phillip Batastinti Award for her care and service to the elderly. She has served tirelessly in many civic organizations, to include service on the Board of Directors for Goodwill and service as President of the Soroptimist Club of Columbus as well as all board positions in the organization.Ê Clara received recognition and government appointments for her service:Ê Letter of Commendation, Governor Zell Miller; appointed by Governor Busby to serve as delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, Washington, D.C.; appointed by Governor Jimmy Carter to the Master Planning Commission on Nursing and Nursing Education in Georgia. For all of these acts demonstrating her lifelong dedication in service to others, the Gracious Ladies of Georgia honored Clara in 2000 with the Ruth Schwob Service to Mankind Award. ClaraÕs passion and dedication to the church followed her throughout life.Ê She was the first woman elected as elder at Edgewood Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for many years.Ê She has been a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church since 2003, and since that time has been member of Fellowship Class and member of the Board of Respite Care, and the Older Adult Council. Clara was known for constantly being on the go.Ê She was an avid tennis player and was the Georgia Super Senior Championships WomenÕs winner in the Seniors 70Õs Division in 2003.Ê She was an avid bird watcher and member of the Wildlife Garden Club for many years. ÊÊClara was a member of Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. ÊÊShe was an active volunteer in the current mayoral campaign for her son-in-law, Wayne Anthony.Ê Clara is well known for her caramel cake and fig preserves across the city. Survivors include her son Harry L. Brown (Kathy) of Birmingham, daughter Frances Sue Anthony (Wayne) of Columbus, and daughter Alice Kay McFarland of Columbus, brother Neal Kearley of Niceville, FL, brother Melton Kearley of Ulysses, TX, and seven grandchildren, Pamela, Mark, Tyson, Lesley, Scott, Allison, David, one great granddaughter, Atali, and beloved nieces and nephews. Clara was preceded in death by her devoted husband Francis R. Brown, her parents Alice and John ÊKearley, brother John Kearley, brother Leslie Kearley, and sister Eloise K. Lambert. Visitation will be at Striffler Hamby on Friday, August 27 6:00 ET - 8:00 ET.Ê Interment will be at Parkhill Cemetery on Saturday morning, August 28, at 9:30 ET.Ê The celebration of her life will be at 11:00 ET Saturday morning, August 28 at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Instead of gifts, donations can be made in memory of Clara K. Brown to Columbus Hospice or House of Heroes. Clara was a devoted Christian, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. ÊShe had many friends and endless energy to enjoy life to its fullest. ÊÊIn her final hours, Clara told her family, "ItÕs been a wonderful life."