Uthana "Brownie" Brown

Uthana “Brownie” Brown, 86, of Van Buren, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 at her home. She was born January 20, 1928 in Wichita, KS to the late Herbert and Leta Brown. She was a retired RN, and attended Trinity Baptist Church in Fort Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Billie Jean Tipton; and two brothers, Maurice Brown and A.C. Brown.

During her early career, she worked in general nursing in Arkansas and Michigan and later with the Alaska Native Health System in Ketchikan, Alaska. She returned to Arkansas to care for ailing family and taught medical-surgical nursing at Sparks School of Nursing.

She became the Director of the Sparks School of Nursing in 1968 and remained in that position until its closing in 1971. While in that position, she represented the State of Arkansas at the National League of Nursing in New York City, where she and colleagues developed the test questions for the Nursing State Board Licensure examination.

Uthana’s last twenty-five years of nursing were spent as a school health nurse in the Fort Smith School system. She was among the local nursing pioneers in that program. She loved the children and assisted them with their widely varied health needs.

Those who knew her in her retirement years were soon acquainted with her ongoing love of children and the heart she had, and the support she gave for outreach to Native American children.

Uthana loved Alaska and traveled to it numerous times during her retirement. She traveled the world and acquired a doll for her growing collection at every location.

More than all these achievements, Uthana lived a life of caring for others. She was a great daughter, aunt, friend, nurse, educator, and traveler. Her unshakable faith in God was a lifelong example to all who knew her.

She is survived by a sister, Charlotte Schroeder of Houston, TX; a brother, Bobby Brown of Ozark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Chapel. Cremation is under the direction of Edwards Van-Alma Funeral Home of Van Buren, AR.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sebastian County Humane Society, 3800 Kelley Highway, Fort Smith, AR 72904.

The family will visit with friends immediately following the service.