Ellen Hargraves Brown

Edwin Arnold wrote - Lo! As the wind is, so is motal life; a moan, a sigh, a sob, or a storm, a strife. These may have applied to Ellen's life but also to Ellen's life was a love, a helping hand, a caring heart, a loyalty to purpose, and an open embrace. While working in the Fannett P.T.A. in the late 1950's and early 1960's, I came to know the complex, wonderful person she was. The main fund raiser was the Harvest Festival. A queen and princess were crowned. Students from the various grades provided the entertainment. Many hours were spent discussing music, costumes, decorations, etc. From those meetings Filton and I bonded a friendship with Ellen. I remember the year when we had an underwater scene. Filton and I papier-mached a mermaid. Ellen burst out laughing when she first saw the mermaid and said it needed a female's hand with the construction because the breasts were wrong. When the festival was over, she gave me a stufffed Godiva doll and Filton a stuffed doll with a bikini. I still have those dolls today. She was always aware of the needs of the school students and worked hard in trying to correct conditions in hoping to improve their lives. She loved her sons Harry and Johnny. I remember the happiness in her face when she showed us albums upon albums of their pictures. Also, her pride was evident as we taught them in their sixth and eighth grade years. Ellen was a strong-willed person who knew a variety of words and knew how to use them. She told you what she was thinking and how she felt about things. When Filton and I started teaching we were young and so idealistic. We felt that we would "save all the children." In our discussions, Ellen would tell us what we needed to hear, not always what we wanted to hear. We respected that. Because of this, Filton and I became better teachers. Over the years, we saw less of each other but stayed in touch by a tradition we started during the Harvest Festival years. Each year we sent each other a not serious valentine. (We knew that the not serious valentine was always a love one.) Filton and I would spend hours hunting for just that right one. We spent a lot of time laughing while hunting. Only one year did we not exchange valentines. We felt such a void and continued the next year. This year was difficult sending Ellen only one valentine, but the laughing felt good. Next year I will still look for a valentine for Ellen because part of my rememberance of her is the bonding laughter. As I traveled to the Burrell Cemetery for Ellen's service, I was filled with so many emotions and my mind wandered over the many years. As I got near Lovell's Lake, I became aware that there were no water lilies there. The lilies used to thrive there. One year while working with the Harvest Festival, Filton and I found out that she hated water lilies. When the festival was over, Filton and I gave her an artificial water lily. She said that she was going to take it and flush it down the toilet. We had a good laugh about that. Although she hated water lilies, the lily always reminded me of Ellen. It had to be strong and sturdy to emerge from the bottom of the lake. Once its blossom opened, it was a rare and radiant flower that looked exotic and delicate and had a beauty that pleased others. As I turned on to the road going to the cemetery, I again became aware that I didn't see any water lilies in the water areas near Pine Tree Lodge. How strange. I thought - I know she was strong-willed and wouldn't want to spend eternity with water lilies near by. God, did she flush them all down the toilet? Ellen, you will be missed. I consider you one of my blessings.

John, Please accept our sympathies in the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Mr. K.B. Brown, I am so sorry for your loss. I used to work at Kroger Pharmacy if you don't remember who I am. You and your wife were two of my favorites, and I always enjoyed visiting with the both of you. I will keep you in my prayers, and if you need anything, please let me know. Natalie