Dr. Etienne Roman Brown

Dr. Etienne Roman Brown

Dr. Etienne Roman Brown died at home while surrounded by family on January 23rd. Dr. Brown lived a life truly devoted to his wife and his family, to God and His church, and to the practice of medicine in his beloved community.

Affectionately known as "Lu" to friends, he was born to Cavignac and Julia Brown on May 7, 1926, in Eunice, Louisiana, the youngest of six children. Lu grew up there until his teen years, when his family moved to the Lake Charles area. In 1943, he enrolled in the pre-medicine program at McNeese Junior College (now McNeese State University), but interrupted his college years when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 during World War II. Lu completed epidemiology training at Bethesda, Maryland and was assigned to the medical corps in the Philippines, where he served until 1946.

Following an Honorable Discharge from the U. S. Navy, Lu returned to his studies at McNeese under the G.I. Bill. He transferred to Louisiana State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in biology. He began medical school at L.S.U. School of Medicine in New Orleans in 1948. He graduated in 1952 with his Doctor of Medicine Degree. Dr. Brown trained at Shreveport Charity Hospital (which later became part of the L.S.U. Medical Center) prior to beginning his medical practice in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Dr. Brown met his future wife, Jean Jennings of Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1949, while she was in New Orleans for her clinical training for a nursing degree from Louisiana College. Married in 1951, they enjoyed 60 years of marriage, celebrating the births of their four children and twelve grandchildren.

In 1953, Dr. Brown moved to DeRidder and began practice as an associate at the DeRidder Clinic with Dr. Floyd Beckom. Following Dr. Beckom's death in 1957, long time friend Dr. Henry S. Carter joined Dr. Brown in the medical practice, and the two physicians practiced together for 24 years until Dr. Carter, recently having completed an internal medicine residency, began a separate practice in that specialty. Dr. Brown retired in 2000 after practicing family medicine for 47 years. Dr. Brown considered the practice of medicine as both a calling and an art. His healing touch was appreciated by his patients from delivery through infancy and thereafter at every stage of life. He became a Diplomate in the American Academy of Family Practice and served on the Board of Directors for the Sixth District of the Louisiana Academy of Family Practice. He remained active in L.S.U. Medical School's Alumni Association and was a founding member of its Committee of 100, a group that began the tradition of annually dedicating a chair for the school. Dr. Brown also served as the coroner for Beauregard Parish from 1971 until his retirement in 2000.

Dr. Brown was a man of deep spiritual faith and conviction. He was an active member of First Baptist Church-DeRidder for nearly six decades. He considered two of his greatest honors to serve others as a deacon and as a Sunday School teacher. Under the Lord's guidance, Dr. Brown served as chairman of the deacons, as well as chairing other committees for both church and community. He was a member of the DeRidder Lions Club for more than five decades, serving as a past president. He also served as the medical director for the Beauregard Heart Association, as well as Chairman of the Board of Beauregard Memorial Hospital and president of its medical staff.

Dr. Brown also loved and was active in farming for nearly five decades. Most of these years were devoted to breeding and raising beef cattle, but he also farmed row crops and operated a dairy. He was a past president of Beauregard Cattlemen's Association. Dr. Brown was elected as a director of City Savings Bank of DeRidder in 1971, where he served until being named Director Emeritus in 2003. Dr. Brown, along with nine other persons, was instrumental in recapitalizing the bank in 1985. He became a member of the owner-board thereafter and served as its chairman from 1991 until 2003.

Dr. Brown was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Cavignac Brown; his brother, Horace Brown; his sisters, Mattie Meek, Elsie Ellson McLean, Lassie Pinney, and Anna Lee Gremmel. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Jennings Brown; their four children, Dr. Stephen Brown (Pamela) of Texarkana, Texas, Meredith Brethe' (Serge) of Austin, Texas, Dr. David J. Brown (Cynthia) of DeRidder, Elizabeth Hilburn (Frederick) of Pineville, Louisiana; and twelve grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Dr. Brown's life by way of a memorial gift may make a contribution in his name to the Building Fund of First Baptist Church, DeRidder, Louisiana or to the Alumni Fund of Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Visitations will be at Labby Memorial Funeral Home, DeRidder on Tuesday, January 24th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and the following morning, Wednesday, between the hours of 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will continue, at the church beginning at 12 noon until the time of the service on Wednesday.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25th, at First Baptist Church with Rev. Lindsey Burns and Rev. Jerry Masters officiating. Brief concluding remarks will follow at the pavilion of Beauregard Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jim McKnight, Wade Miller, Richard Morton, Steve Newsom, Edley Hixson, Jr. and Ronnie Young. Honorary pallbearers include the deacon body of First Baptist Church; members of the Derouen Sunday School Class; the directors of City Savings Bank of DeRidder; and friends Lynn Clayton, Lindsey Heard, Dr. David Jones, Joe Joslin, and Dr. Arthur Rockett.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.labbymemorial.com