Barbee Ann Brown

Barbee Ann Brown was born March 7, 1924, in Shawnee, OK to Edward Wootten Watts and Alice Joy (Lovelady) Watts, their only child. She passed from this life Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the age of 101.

After living in a number of small Oklahoma towns, Barbee’s family moved to Tulsa where they resided for many years.  She graduated from Will Rogers High School in the class of 1941.  Her class was the second class to graduate from the brand-new Will Rogers.  Barbee was one of two surviving members of the class of 1941.

Barbee attended The University of Tulsa where she was a member of Kappa Delta.  While attending TU, she met the love of her life, Jack Gibson Brown.  They were married on March 7, 1943, Barbee’s 19th birthday.  A mere two weeks after their wedding, Jack embarked on a three year assignment aboard the battleship, U.S.S. Washington.  Barbee and Jack were married for 73 years.  Barbee was a member of Memorial Baptist Church for 69 years.  She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter AK for 50+ years.

She is survived by her only daughter, Ann Gibson Brown Large, of Edmond, OK and Ann’s children, Chad Large (Kim) of Sapulpa, OK and Sisney Large of Oklahoma City, OK.  Additional children of the late Martin and Patty Brown, Alison Boland (Sean), of Ballwin, MO, Andrew Brown (Nicole) of Kirkwood, MO and Matthew Brown (Erica) of Tulsa, OK.  Thirteen great grandchildren, faithful niece, Linda Miller and nephew, John Bilbo.  The family would like to especially thank her caregivers Jamie Guerin and Cody Smith.

Barbee’s funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Memorial Drive Baptist Church, 2800 S. Yale Ave and she will be laid to rest following at Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa, OK.