Salata Marie Brown

Salata Marie (Tucker) Brown, 98, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 30, 2025.

Born on October 22, 1926 in the Chaney Community to Richard A. and Eura Mae (Melton) Tucker, Salata lived a life of faith and devotion. She was a cherished and longtime member of the Mesquite and Rusk Street Church of Christ in Ranger, TX where her love for God and community touched all who knew her.

Salata graduated from Alameda High School in 1944 where she enjoyed playing volleyball and basketball. She later went on to Ranger Junior College where she proudly played on the school's very first women's basketball team and received her Associate's Degree. When asked why she chose to pursue college as a woman in the 1940s, she would smile and say, "I knew there had to be a better life than hoeing peanuts and cotton."

On May 31, 1946, Salata married the love of her life Joseph Kenneth Brown in Eastland, Texas. Together they shared 69 wonderful years and raised six children. Raising a large family was no easy task, but Salata embraced it with strength, love and even a touch of preaching - often quoting scripture to guide her children, whether in encouragement or correction. Dr. Luther Gohlke once remarked to one of her children, "Salata has a true gift for raising kids and not everyone has that talent or ability." Her greatest joy came when her children and grandchildren gathered back home in Ranger, filling her house with laughter, stories, and love.

For many years, Salata poured her heart into caring for her family as a devoted homemaker. In 1972, she began working as a paraprofessional for Ranger I. S. D. She found great joy in supporting students and helping them discover confidence in reading, writing, and math. Her nearly 20 years in the school system brought her tremendous joy, lasting friendships, and countless memories of students whose lives she touched.

Salata is survived by her six children: Sharon (Brown) Rogers of Brownwood, TX; Dwaine Brown and wife, Sharon, of Lamesa, TX; James Brown and wife, Keitha, of Granbury, TX; Carole (Brown) Little and husband, Doug of Gorman, TX; Dorothy (Brown) Johnston and husband, Chuck, of Midland, TX; and Jerry Brown of Carrollton, TX. She was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren: Scott Rogers, Jennifer Hutchins, Jeffrey Rogers, Marla Bales, Kyle Brown, Jamie Hamrick, Haley Brown, David Little, Joe Little, Jana Stewart, Lori Butler, Collin Brown and Cailin Brown. Her legacy also continues through 19 great-grandchildren and one precious great-great granddaughter. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Gilbert Edward Tucker; her loving parents Richard and Eura Tucker; her dear in-laws, Shirley and Pat Brown; her beloved husband, Joseph Kenneth Brown; and her son-in-law, James Douglas Rogers.

The family is profoundly grateful to Pat Walker and Pat Proffitt for the kindness, care, and support they have shown over the past seven years.

Funeral services will be at 11:00am, Monday, September 1,2025 at the Mesquite & Rusk St. Church of Christ officiated by Gary Montgomery, with interment to follow at the Alameda Cemetery. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service at 10:00am at the church. Funeral Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Ranger.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alameda Cemetery or the Ranger Fire Department.