Velta Janet Brown

She is survived by her husband, Rhett D. Brown, daughter Lynn Rae who is married to Doug Dupree, son Randy Brown who is married to Margaret, seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Velta was born to Allen W. Autry and Lillier Mae Autry on July 12, 1938, in Walla Walla, Washington. She was Homecoming Queen of Brea Olinda High School in 1956 and was crowned Miss Brea in the City’s Scholarship Pageant in 1957. Her first job was waitressing under the supervision of Mrs. Knott in the Chicken Dinner Restaurant at Knott’s Berry Farm.

On May 2, 1959 she married her high school sweetheart, Rhett Brown in Brea, California. In 1964, Rhett and Velta moved to Hesperia, California where Velta designed and Rhett built several homes. During that time, Velta would drive their Volkswagen Bug 60 miles round-trip to work as a grocery checker at Vons Grocery Store in Barstow. In the 1970’s, Velta owned and operated a women’s clothing boutique called “Velta’s Clothesline” located on Main Street in Hesperia. In 1976, Velta and Rhett along with their partners opened Brown & Honeycutt Truss Company which is still in operation today.

Velta and Rhett were instrumental in the founding of Hesperia Christian School, a ministry they remained passionate about in the 60+ years that followed. They could often be spotted in the stands cheering for the “HCS Patriots in Red-White-and-Blue”.

Velta loved traveling the world and experienced “World Wonders” like the Great Wall of China and the Great Barrier Reef. On one tourism trip to China, Velta used the opportunity to deliver Bibles written in the Chinese language - as the Chinese government had banned the distribution of Bibles at that time. Velta’s family also recalls family trips to Baja California for camping, fishing and missionary work building churches, orphanages and medical centers.

Velta was an avid golfer and longstanding Member of Hesperia Country Club where she regularly golfed in the Women’s League and couples tournaments. When not out on the course, she could often be found at the card table playing in weekly games of Bridge, or volunteering for numerous charity events. She was generous to a fault and spent many unpaid hours working at the various business ventures of her family.

She loved Jesus and desired that others would know Him too.

Velta was loved by many and her presence on this earth will be dearly missed.

Services will be held on Saturday December 28, 2024 at 3pm at High Desert Church Hesperia Campus located at 7884 Arcadia Hesperia, CA 92345