Terrie Lynn Davis Brown 1945-2023
Terrie Lynn(e) Brown passed away December 22, 2023 in Columbus, Texas from pancreatic cancer. She was diagnosed on Thanksgiving Day and while she was not happy with the prognosis, she accepted it with the grace, charm, and courage that few can muster. She died peacefully in her home with a constant river of care and support from her loving family, friends, neighbors, caregivers, pets and even a new puppy who seemed strangely and tenderly “aware of the situation”.
Terrie was born in Dallas, Texas on July 15, 1945, the middle child of Theresa McCasland and Elmer Ollie Davis. She spent her younger years enjoying a happy upbringing and making lifelong friends that stayed close to her until the day she passed. The family moved to Houston in the mid 1950’s, where Terrie would attend Westbury High School. A natural athlete, she participated and excelled in sports, obtaining a track and field scholarship and an invite to Olympic tryouts, however once she took her first physiology and anatomy classes, she discovered her true calling for healthcare and caregiving.
After graduating from Westbury in 1963, Terrie attended Texas Women’s University to pursue a degree in Nursing. She was elected treasurer of the freshman class and even toured with the USO in a singing group entertaining the troops in Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. She grew even more wonderful friendships in college, and upon graduating TWU, she established herself as a skilled and dedicated nurse for several years in various medical roles such as ER, managing or “running” a hospital floor, or post operative duties. She had many fond memories of her nursing days, and would always have a story to tell from back then. Her passion for nursing would eventually turn into a need to pass along her knowledge and skills to future generations, by helping establish the Health Occupations Education programs at The High School for Health Professions at the Houston Medical Center, as well as Rosenberg, and Stratford High Schools. Her curriculum eventually became an award-winning program, by teaching students advanced medical-oriented classes at the high school level. Among her accolades, she was appointed by the Governor of Texas to the Advisory Hospital Council. Over a span of almost three decades, many of her students became medical professionals, and many young adults learned what it means to have a favorite teacher.
While still in high school, Terrie was introduced to her future husband of over fifty years, Edwin ‘Eddie’ Lee Brown Jr, by her dear friend and fellow TWU classmate, Carla Mayfield. Together, Terrie and Ed had two boys, Scott and Kelly. She lived most of her life in Houston, and in between traveling with family or friends, especially to go fishing or skiing, she was a devoted Mom, Grandmother, and eventually Great Grandmother, a professional teacher, and enjoyed many hobbies and activities, until eventually retiring with Ed in Columbus, Texas, where she spent many more happy years making even more friends.
Terrie is survived by her loving husband, Edwin (Eddie) Brown, brothers David and Michael, her children Scott and Kelly, grandchildren Ethan and Emily, and Great Granddaughter Mellissa, and many other extended family members, as well as many dear friends that might as well be considered family.
