Mary Brown

Mary Morris Brown, 82, a native of Cedar City, died July 29, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada after a sudden decline in health. Mary was born in Parowan, Utah, on September 22, 1931, the only daughter of Albert Durham Morris and Alberta Day Morris. Soon thereafter her family moved to Cedar City, where she grew up in a happy home with brothers Haymer, Miles, and Kent. Mary attended school in Cedar, graduating from Cedar High School in the class of 1949. It was during her senior year that she began dating John Conard Brown. They were married May 20, 1950 in the St. George Temple. Mary worked in her father's law office while attending Branch Agricultural College (now SUU) on a Home Economics scholarship. She graduated in 1951. Three children were born to John and Mary over the next 6 years. In August of 1957 the family moved to Torrance, California, when John began school at the University of Southern California. Mary provided a wonderful and loving home and catered weddings on the side. She had a real talent for decorating cakes. In 1961 John graduated as valedictorian with his doctorate degree in dental surgery. U.S.C. awarded Mary a PhT degree (Putting hubby Through) for all of her hard work, including quizzing him with flash cards on vacation trips to Utah. The family then moved to Claremont, CA where they established John's dental practice. Mary worked in many capacities to help make it successful when work did not interfere with her primary roles as mother and homemaker. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mary served in many capacities as Primary President, Relief Society President, Young Women leader, Family History specialist, and faithful visiting teacher. She performed many kind acts for those in need. Mary was hard working and dependable; if you asked her to do something, it got done! Mary's talents and interests included cooking, reading, sewing, flowers, The History Channel, light opera, the TV show Jeopardy, traveling and shopping (especially for dishes!). She traveled to every continent except Antarctica, and went to 49 of the 50 states. However, the mountains of Southern Utah were tops on her list of places to visit. In the last years of her life Mary's activities were severely limited by Parkinson's disease, which eventually required a move to assisted living. Her wry sense of humor remained, as did her gratitude for the attention of family and friends. She derived strength and comfort from her faith in Jesus Christ and his restored gospel and was thankful for the power of prayer in her life. Mary is preceded in death by her parents and younger brother. She is survived by her husband, Dr. John C. Brown; her children, Conard Lee Brown (Aneta) of Claremont, CA; Dr. Douglas M. Brown (Sharon) of Claremont, CA; Carol A. Davis (Steven) of Henderson, NV; 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and her brothers Haymer and Miles. Viewing at 10 AM (MDT), Saturday, August 16, 2014 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 256 South 900 West, Cedar City, Utah 84720, followed by the funeral at 11 AM . Burial will follow at Cedar City Cemetery. Arrangements by Southern Utah Mortuary. Donations to the general missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or the Parkinson's Disease Foundation are welcome.