Wilma Etta (Harriage) Brown

Wilma Etta (Harriage) Brown, 103 of Loveland, CO, formerly of Muldrow, OK passed away on March 5, 2022 in Loveland, Colorado. She was born on February 9, 1919 in Spiro, Oklahoma to Pearl Lennox (Eskridge) Harriage and John Wesley Harriage. She met the love of her life, Jack Hensley Brown, at the local skating rink in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and they married on June 4, 1939 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. They enjoyed spending time in the air with Jack as pilot and Wilma as co-pilot, who took pride in studying and passing the exam for aviation ground school. They shared a lifetime of happy memories until he preceded her in death on September 4, 2006. Mrs. Brown was a homemaker and also a savvy businesswoman— she founded and sold 8 successful beauty supply/boutique businesses, all after the age of 47.
Wilma was a proud member of Dayspring Evangelical Methodist Church in Roland, Oklahoma. Her love of God was undeniable and was demonstrated every day, especially in the way she deeply loved everyone she knew and everyone she met. She truly never met a stranger. Her big, beaming smile lit up her face and the faces of those around her. Wilma’s loving, playful spirit made everyone feel welcome, special, and deeply loved. She had many funny jokes and stories to share — Wilma really knew how to serve a punchline, leaving everyone in laughter with her quick wit and excellent memory.

Wilma was a friend and grandma to anyone and everyone; upon meeting new acquaintances she would insist they call her “Grandma.” She only saw what was good and true in others. This rare kind of unconditional love was her super power that touched so many lives over the course of her long, joyful life. This endearing quality also carried over to her special connection with the animal kingdom. Grandma’s love for animals was a constant throughout her life; she rescued countless furry friends — it would be impossible to keep track. There was no such thing as too many kitty cats and doggies in the house — she welcomed them in with open arms and also donated to many animal rescues.

Wilma enjoyed spending time with friends and family playing many competitive rounds of her favorite games— dominoes and Yahtzee. She loved to cook and was an avid reader who maintained the mindset of a lifelong learner— she often remarked that she learned something new every day and even won a spelling bee at the age of 93. She was a creative maker and always had a crochet or knitting project in progress. Wilma appreciated beauty and life’s simple pleasures; she enjoyed reading and reciting poetry, and loved the sound of rain on a tin roof. We will miss our spirited matriarch and take comfort that she is tearing it up on roller skates in Heaven.

Survivors are her 4 children: John Russell Brown and wife Sisco Brown of Phoenix, AZ; Richard Golden Brown and Susie Neas of Goodyear, AZ; and Jack Hensley Brown, Jr. and wife Donna Brown of Eastvale, CA; and daughter Mary Ann Wilson of Apple Valley, CA. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Maxine Willmuth of Arkansas; 14 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren; 18 great great grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson James Wilson, great-grandson Andrew Wilson and 2 sisters, Jackie Furr and Katheryn Keller.

Viewing is 10 am to 8 pm Friday, March 25th, 2022 at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Muldrow. The family will greet from 6 to 8pm. Funeral services will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, March 26. Burial immediately following at Blackjack Cemetery in Muldrow under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, Grandma would have loved for people to make a donation to their local animal shelter or adopt a shelter pet in her name.