Billye Brown

Billye Faye Watts Brown, 85 years old, went to be with her Heavenly Father on April 10, 2018 at her country home that she loved so much. She was born to Otis Franklin Watts and Clara Faye Watts in Alvin, Texas on October 4, 1932. She married R. L. Brown in West Columbia on his birthday, June 1, 1953 and since his death in January, she longed to be with him for eternity.

She is survived by her children: Keith Brown (Tami), and Dee Ann Brown Ogburn (Jeb) of West Columbia, Blake Brown (Hope) of Belton, and Ednaldo Araujo (Charo) of Houston. She is survived by 7 grandchildren: Derek Ogburn (Stephanie) of Burleson, Nathan Brown (Madison) of Lake Jackson, Austin Brown of Austin, Jenna Ogburn Coulter (Kevin) of West Columbia, Dindy
Brown and Houston Brown of Belton, and Sophia Araujo of Houston. She is also survived by great-grandchildren: Ryder Richards and Marshall Brown and 2 on the way, Evelyn Faye Coulter and Cora Rose Ogburn. Other family members are close nieces Randa Russell (Clifford) and Lou Whitt of West Columbia. Survivors also include in-laws Betty Sue Morgan, Dr. Arthur Brown (Kris), Bonnie Harvey (Ray), and Evie Guidry (Chester) along with a multitude of nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 ½ years, her mother and father, sister Betty Lytle, mother-in-law Fannie Jane Brown, father-in-law James Arthur Brown, in-laws Don Lytle, Virginia Martin, and Bobby D Morgan, and nephew Brad Phillips.

Billye lived in Wharton & El Campo before moving to West Columbia as a teenager. She graduated from West Columbia High School in 1950 and attended Sam Houston State University where she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Sociology in only three years. There she met the love of her life, R.L. who was a graduate student. After her graduation, they married and returned to West Columbia where they lived happily ever after.

Billye Faye worked in her parents' grocery store Watts' Grocery, Austin Company and Pipefitters Union. Then in 1965, she and her sister opened D'Lu's Dress Shop in West Columbia. For 21 years, she and R.L. owned and operated the shop which was her favorite job of all time. Billye Faye had the gift of gab and loved talking to people. Her wit and humor and storytelling ability was unrivaled. After selling the shop, they spent lots of time in the hill country at her parents' farm on the San Marcos River. She also volunteered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters RSVP Program at West Columbia Elementary. She was a member of First Capitol Study Club, Beta Sigma Phi and CEMS Auxiliary. She enjoyed playing games and cards with family and friends and just visiting with anyone who she encountered. But most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. She was the coolest Nana ever and she loved playing and swimming with all her kiddos as often as they would visit. She "loved them the mostest".

Billye Faye was an active member of the Columbia United Methodist Church for 71 years where she taught Sunday School and Kids Club, was a MYF leader, and chaired the Bereavement committee for many years.

A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Columbia United Methodist Church with Pastor Paul Kethley officiating.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be given in Billye's memory to Columbia United Methodist Church, 315 S. 16th, West Columbia, Tx 77486 or www.columbiaum.org .

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