Anna Frances Brown

1949 - 2024

Brown, Anna Frances

July 18, 1949 - November 23, 2024

Anna Frances Brown, a lover of education and newspapers and a former long-time Tulsa Public Schools employee, died Nov. 23, 2024, in her daughter's Porter, OK, residence after a long illness. She was 75.

Anna was born July 18, 1949 in Montgomery County, VA, graduated from Corona (CA) Senior High School in 1967, received her journalism degree from San Jose (CA) State University, and moved to Oklahoma to become a VISTA volunteer in 1972.

In Wewoka, OK, she edited the Wewoka Times newspaper and met her future husband, Michael Brown of Tulsa, OK. They were married in 1975.

Love of publishing and devotion to family occupied great equal portions of Anna's life. She was proudest of her daughters, Nassus Brown of Porter, OK and Emily Brown, of Tulsa (deceased), and her grandson, Addison Brown of Sapulpa.

Her professional life was varied and hectic. She often wore multiple hats. In addition to reporting and editing stints with the Southwest Tulsa News and other Oklahoma papers, she spent a decade in the Tulsa Public Schools public relations department. She also edited newsletters for the various United Methodist Church congregations to which she belonged over the years.

In her spare time, she also loved genealogy, gardening, modern dance and great books. She had a passion for worthy causes. Among other activities, she contributed significantly to the development of the Southwest Tulsa Historical Society.

Anna was preceded in death by her father, Everett Black of Tulsa and Clara Black of Corona, and her eldest daughter, Emily Brown of Tulsa.

She is survived by her sister, Ellen Jakubowski of Winslow, AZ.; her brother David Black of Unicoi, TN.; her former husband, Michael Brown of Tulsa; her daughter and son-in-law, Nassus Brown and David Bumgarner of Porter; and her grandson, Addison Brown of Sapulpa.

Her remains were cremated. The family is considering a memorial service in the coming months.