Mary Lorraine “LoLo” Wallace Brown, 84, of Beaumont, died Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Christus Hospital-St. Elizabeth, Beaumont. She was born on September 5, 1932, to Edna Vera Stagg Wallace and Bertron Nathaniel Wallace, in Jennings, Louisiana. After graduation from Jennings High School, Lorraine studied music at Southwestern Louisiana Institute in Lafayette.
The former Miss Wallace married Travis Milton Brown in Jennings on April 4, 1953. Mr. Brown was a recent graduate of Louisiana State University and employed by The Texas Company. His career was briefly interrupted by a Commission in the US Air Force, and the Browns were soon living at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Their first son, Bertron Travis was born in Mountain Home on December 31, 1954.
Following separation from the Air Force, the Brown Family returned to the oilfields of Texas. Travis and Lorraine’s second son, Barton Douglas was born on March 29, 1956 and their third son, Bradley Dare on May 21, 1958 while the Browns were living in Alvin. They were members of First Baptist Church of Alvin during this time, and moved their membership to First Baptist Church of El Campo after Texaco transferred Travis to their El Campo office. Bruce Wallace, their fourth son was born soon after, on September 9, 1961.
Lorraine began teaching piano while in El Campo, and worked as a substitute teacher in public school. She then attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College and achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Music, returning to El Campo ISD to teach music in the Elementary School.
The Brown Family moved to Beaumont in 1971, and Lorraine began teaching music in the West Orange Cove ISD. She enrolled at Lamar University and studied concurrent to her teaching. She completed a Master of Education in Guidance Counseling with a Diagnostician Certificate. Lorraine worked in this capacity in the Beaumont public schools and the Nederland ISD.
Lorraine and Travis gave priority to church life wherever they lived. Lorraine worked for the Lord in many different roles as her children grew. She sang in the Adult Choir and taught Children’s Choir. She organized and taught Vacation Bible School, and was active at Evangelism through faithful attention to Church Visitation and Women’s Missionary Union. This lifetime devotion to supporting missions was a legacy of her mother Vera, who was herself the grandchild of Baptist Missionaries to the French speaking people of Louisiana. Lorraine was intentional in her approach to building relationships with international students at Lamar University through English as a Second Language classes. Her godly influence began at home, and continued at church, work, and abroad.
Celebrating 63 years of marriage together, Lorraine remained a devoted wife to Travis. She moved their household without hesitation on many occasions. They were posted to Sumatra, Indonesia by Caltex in 1980, and spent 8 years expatriate before moving back to the States. Lorraine was active in their local congregation during this time, and renewed her previous interest in Bridge.
Lorraine became a member of the Beaumont Bridge Studio in 1990, and made many friends, enjoying the game among ladies and Mixed Doubles with Travis. She was a devoted student and achieved Lifetime Master.
Survivors include her husband, Travis Brown; sons, Dr. Bert Brown and his wife, Lyn, of Beaumont; Bart Brown and his wife, Helen, of Bay City; Brad Brown and his wife, Debbie, of Beaumont; and Dr. Bruce Brown and his wife, Nancy, of Meridian, Mississippi; and nephews, Ronald Keeth and Randal Keeth.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Marjorie Keeth; and granddaughter, Ashley Brown.
Lorraine’s 13 grandchildren called her LoLo:
By Bertron there are Bethany, Blake, and Blaire
By Barton there are Jordan, Andrew, Trevor, and Camryn
By Bradley there are Austin, Ashley, and Aaron
By Bruce there are Benjamin (Allison), Rebecca, and Elizabeth
Lorraine’s Great-grandchildren are:
By Bethany Way (Lance) are Logan, Ivy, and Hudson
By Blake (Robyn) is Beau
By Blaire Ritz (David) are Reagan and Riley
By Andrew (Jennifer) is Elliott
By Trevor (Hannah) is Rowan
By Rebecca Strickland (Clay) are Garrett, Abigail, Lydia, and Eli
By Elizabeth Glosson (Jeremy) are Jacob, Caleb, and David
A gathering of Mrs. Brown’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 23, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2017, at Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the World Missions Fund of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, 6220 Westgate Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
