Margaret Sears Brown

Margaret Sears Brown joined her Heavenly Father, a host of family members and dear friends on Monday morning, February 12th. Born on November 13, 1924, Margaret was the daughter of May and Arthur Sears, one of Abilene's early pioneer ranching families. A Memorial Service will appropriately be held on Valentine's Day, February 14th at 1:30 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church as she leaves behind her devoted husband, the retired Judge Raleigh Brown. Growing up and living in Abilene for most her life, Margaret enjoyed the companionship and company of her large family above all else. Her mother and sisters and their children were greatly important to her. Surviving sisters include, her twin sister, Margie Wells of Abilene, Vivian Streater of Weatherford, Billye Barlow of Houston and sister-in-law Frances Mae Sears of Sweetwater. She was preceded in death by her brother, Lance Sears of Sweetwater, and her sisters, Mollye Bye of Garland and Jewel Laughter Hodge of Abilene. Because of her great wealth of knowledge and intuitiveness, she was known as "Ouiji" by her grandchildren. She is survived by her children who include, Nancy and Boo Jennings of Little Rock, Arkansas, their children Clark and Will Jennings, Betsy and Dick Skorburg of Dallas, Texas, their children Chase, Meg and Julie Skorburg, and Julie and Mike Denny of Abilene, their children, Kate and Matt Haney, Austin and Liz Denny. Following graduation from Abilene High School, Margaret graduated from The University of Texas. She met Raleigh Holden Brown from Tennessee while he was stationed at Camp Barkley. They married in 1947 and enjoyed almost sixty wonderful years together dancing, playing bridge, traveling the world and relaxing in Colorado during the summertime. As well as reminiscing and telling stories about her fond memories at her family's ranch at Maryneal, Margaret took great pleasure in all aspects of life in the West Texas countryside. She was a lover of music, the written word and could easily quote her favorite authors. Margaret was a longtime member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. She enjoyed serving on the board of the Sears Methodist Foundation for many years, was a Junior League Sustainer and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Sorority, Cotillion Club, Women's Club and the Assembly Club. But, most of all, she loved serving as a nurturer and caretaker to her many family members and friends. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sears Methodist Foundation, One Village Drive, Suite 102, Abilene, Texas 79606, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 525 Beech, Abilene, Texas 79602 or to any charity of their choice. On many occasions, Margaret would quote her beloved mother by saying, "Life is just a fleeting moment." "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and number of my days; Let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; The span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath." Psalm 39: 4-5