Wesley Ann Brown

Wesley Ann Brown, daughter of Rev. Thomas Jefferson and Laverne Franks, went to dwell in the House of the Lord forever on November 4th, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Wesley Ann was born in 1941 at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, where her father was Pastor at Wesley Methodist Church. Wes was a member of the Park Hill Methodist Youth Fellowship in Denver, Colorado where she met the love of her life, Philip Jay Brown.  After graduating from East Denver High School she attended and graduated from Colorado Women’s College.  Shortly thereafter, she became a teacher in the Denver Public School where she married Philip Jay Brown in 1964 at Rockland Community Church in Golden, Colorado.  They honeymooned at Y.M.C.A. of the Rockies, Estes Park, Colorado.

After a brief stint in Colorado, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she taught school for three years. They then moved back to Colorado Springs, Colorado where she taught for another three and a half years in the Pikes Peak School District. Staying true to her three year pattern of employment, she taught another three years in Kewanee, Illinois.  After the adoption of their son Matthew in 1971, moved out west to the town they would ultimately call their “true home”, Baker City, Oregon.  Seven years later, their second son, Christopher was adopted. In Baker City, Wes continued teaching until her retirement in 1998.  Besides the lifelong friendships created at North Baker Elementary and Churchill Elementary, another highlight of her educational tenure was, along with her 6th grade class, creating a submission, being selected, and ultimately representing Oregon in N.A.S.A. 's  “Name the Shuttle” contest. She was invited as N.A.S.A.’s guest to witness the launch of the Endeavor at Cape Canaveral. She also coached the Baker City’s Tennis team for a few years in the 1990s.  After retiring, Wes stayed active by being involved in numerous United States Tennis Association teams and sanctioned tournaments, even qualifying for the National Champions in San Diego, California. They went on to take 2nd place overall.  Wes continued pursuing her hobbies and passions, which included her dogs, birding (feeders were always full) and participating in Senior Short Course Triathlons

In the late 1990s, valuable time was spent taking care of her dogs on the farm and participating in the U.S.T.A.’s Senior Grass Court tournaments, some matches played on their homebuilt grass tennis court with lights.  It seemed as though Baker City would become their “forever home” into retirement and beyond, but after the birth of their first granddaughter, Annika Grace Brown, they up-rooted and moved to Nampa, Idaho to be close to their expanding family.

After moving to Nampa, Idaho, Wes continued playing in U.S.T.A. league tennis until “Father Time” hinted that it was time to put the racquet down.  Her remaining years in Idaho were focused on being ever-present in her children’s and grandchildren’s life. Wes attended every concert, sporting event, and performance possible, until she became ill in 2021. She was her grandkids’ biggest fan, advocate, and model of unconditional love!

Wesley Ann is survived by her husband of 58 years, Philip Brown, her two sons Matthew Garth and Christopher Gallen, daughter-in-law Stephanie Kinman (was as close as a daughter to), and three grandchildren, Annika, Riley, and Camden. Her family was her life! Her never-ending love and sense of humor will be missed, but never forgotten. Her laugh and smile were contagious!

Wesley Anne wishes any donations in her memory go to Stand Up To Cancer at standuptocancer.org, or the United Methodist Church in Baker City, Oregon.

Many THANKS to family, Honi Deaton, St. Luke’s Hospice program, and Alsip and Persons Funeral Chapel.

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