Mary Brown Obituary

On October 16, 2025, Mary Rita Brown was welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven by the King of Kings Himself, her Savior, Jesus. She is survived by her husband, Gerald Robert Brown (Jerry), and their three children: Geoffrey and his wife, Lisa; Ryan and his wife, Suzan; and Sarah and her husband, Nathan. She is also survived by nine grandchildren-George, Emma, Destine, Peyton, Brady, Mackenzie, Gary, Tim, and Bella-and one great-grandson, Geoffrey Ryan Brown. She is survived by her husband, Jerry, and her three children, Geoffrey, wife Lisa, Ryan, wife Suzan, Sarah and husband Nathan. Nine grandkids. George, Emma, Destine, Peyton, Brady, Mackenzie, Gary, Tim, Bella and Geoffrey Ryan Brown, great grandson. With her children, Mary frequently made reference to the incredible extended family and community of friends that surrounded her and Jerry through their many years together. With her children, Mary often reflected on the incredible extended family and community of friends who surrounded her and Jerry throughout their many years together. If you are reading this, it is likely that you were part of that cherished circle, and the Brown family wants you to know how deeply grateful they are for you.
Mary was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 5, 1946 to Harvey and Georgia Tedrow. She enjoyed a wonderful childhood with a large family which included her siblings, Patricia, Myrna, Teresa and Bill. She graduated from St. Joseph's Academy (later known at Dowling Catholic High School) in 1964.
The next several years held three pivotal events in her life.
One of those events was a blind date with Jerry Brown. This led to their wedding on July 29, 1967 and nearly six decades of a love story that has served as a strong example in the marriages of their grateful children. Jerry served in the U.S. Army and the two enjoyed their first few years of marriage stationed at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey and Fort Monroe in Virginia. Geoffrey was born in 1968, Ryan in 1972, and Sarah in 1974. After several years of military service, they settled in Johnston, Iowa where their children enjoyed an amazing childhood, a time rich with tremendous memories. The family enjoyed growing their faith in Christ through a commitment to the communities at Johnston Evangelical Free Church and First Federated Church in Des Moines. In time, the family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Mary began to study nursing at Oral Roberts University, a path that led to the second pivotal event within her life.
Another pivotal event in her life was her graduation from the Oral Roberts School of Nursing in 1984. Mary's nursing career quickly coalesced with her love of Christ and community. She served as a nurse within the Tulsa Boys Home, the Devereux Center for Advanced Behavioral Health, and as a school nurse at Scottsdale Christian Academy. Mary's nearly two decades of service at SCA led to innumerable relationships with students, staff, and families that she cherished.
The third and most defining pivotal event was when she and Jerry both came to faith in Christ in 1971. Her brother, Bill, had shared a Four Spiritual Laws tract with them and it catalyzed a life of devotion that has served as a source of inspiration and testimony within her family and friends. Jerry and Mary have been deeply invested in the inspiring community that makes up Shiloh Community Church. Over the nearly forty years that they have attended Shiloh, her children have been deeply moved by the love and support shown to their parents by Shiloh. Mary's commitment to Christ fostered the hope and courage that were the cornerstones of her entire life but especially her final few months. Her deepest hope would be for you to understand that her passing into eternity was a moment of joy for which she prepared her entire life. Further, she would invite you to consider making a similar commitment to Christ so that you could experience the forgiveness, joy, and peace that she has enjoyed on Earth and now enjoys in Heaven. In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts to Mary's charities. With Child, Northwest Christian School. Open Doors US, or Clydehurst Christian Ranch. A Celebration of Mary's Life is planned Saturday, October 25, 2:00PM, Shiloh Community Church.