Dorothy Jean Horn Brown

Devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Dorothy Jean Horn Brown was welcomed home by her Savior May 31, 2024, at the age of 90. She is now strong and healthy and in the presence of Jesus.

Dorothy Jean Horn was born to James Howard and Gertie Mae Horn in Gatesville, Texas on February 28, 1934, the oldest of four children. The family moved throughout east Texas, finally settling in Athens. It was here a neighbor, Mrs. Douglas, invited Dorothy to church, where she learned of the grace, love and forgiveness of Jesus, and began a life of following Him. It was an experience Dorothy referred to as the highlight of her life.

Dorothy was a quintessential big sister to her three siblings. She was a protector, a shepherd and wise sage. She mothered the younger children, and they felt safe and loved under her wing.

Dorothy graduated from Athens High School in 1952 and continued her education and love of learning about Jesus at Bible Baptist Seminary (now Arlington Baptist University). She joined First Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, and soon met an enlisted airman stationed at Carswell AFB, Charles “Charlie” Brown. On June 4, 1954, after a whirlwind courtship, Charles and Dorothy were married. They settled in Arlington, Texas and began building a family, soon welcoming three daughters – Sharon (1955), Debbie (1957), and Beverly (1961).

A lifelong homemaker, Dorothy nurtured in her daughters a passion for creating and appreciating beauty in daily living. Her girls learned to plant and cultivate a backyard garden, sew home furnishings and clothing, and restore furniture to its natural beauty. Dorothy taught them to cook, bake and entertain, knowing mastery of these prepared the girls to leave the nest as capable young women. More importantly, it gave them tools to serve and bless others. Dorothy’s legacy is reflected in each of her daughters’ unique artistic, creative gifts and talents.

Early on, the family attended church at Bethel Baptist and Northside Baptist. In 1980, Dorothy and Charles became charter members and settled at Northside’s satellite church, Lamar Baptist. Dorothy was a beloved children’s Sunday School teacher for grade school children for 35 years. As a more than 50-year member of the church choir, Dorothy held several officer positions and often coordinated with the director, Scott Bryant. At Christmas, the congregation looked forward to hearing her sing ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy.’ The girls participated in Vacation Bible School and Backyard Bible Clubs. Dorothy pursued her love of studying the Bible by attending Bible Study Fellowship for 11 years and cherished the friendships made there. She shared her love of Christ with International Crusades in both Argentina and Ukraine, deeply drawn to the warmth and hospitality of people, their desire to be ministered to, and their hunger to know Jesus. She was responsible for activating, staffing and collecting items for Lamar Baptist’s first food pantry. She served in the literacy program, finding joy in teaching a young father to read. She mentored international students in the ESL program, nurturing those relationships even after the students’ returned home. Widowed in 2003, she continued spending her time and energy investing in and enjoying family and friends.

Dorothy sought to live each day for the glory of God. By faith we believe that she has seen her Savior and looked on the face of God. By His grace and mercy, she is glorifying Him now, even as she did in her life. She sought to model her life after Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Sharon Brown (Dallas); Debbie and husband Dr. Marvin Brown (San Antonio) and their children Austin (Dee) and Blake (Olivia) Brown; Beverly and Mark Dunn (Arlington) and their children Claire (Jonathan) Edgar and Caroline Dunn; and great-grandchildren Franklin Edgar and Beau Brown. She is also survived by sister, Billie Bacon of Georgetown, Texas; sisters-in-law Donna (James) Horn of Arlington, and Sue Brown Waldron of Midland; many nieces and nephews (some who often lovingly referred to her as ‘The Dorth’.)

Dorothy was preceded in death by infant son, Brian Hugh Brown (1964), husband Charles, brother, James Horn, and sister Mary Horn Huffman.

The family is deeply grateful for the care our mother received from the staff at Brookdale Arlington and St. Gabriel’s Hospice and Palliative Care. Jessica McDowell lifted Mother’s spirits by beautifully styling her hair; nurses Nancy Espinosa and Bozena Januszewicz looked after Mother’s needs tenderly and thoughtfully for countless hours. The encouragement received through the prayers, calls and visits from staff and members of Lamar Baptist Church meant the world to both Mother and our family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Lamar Baptist Church, 1000 W. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.