Helen Mae Brown of Wichita, Kansas, entered eternal life on April 3, 2023 at the age of 84. At the time of her passing, Helen was surrounded and comforted by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at Harry Hynes Hospice.
Helen was born on Nov. 2, 1938 in a dog trot cabin on Fletcher Mountain in Stillwell, Oklahoma. She was the first child of Fletcher Orvile Eaton and Ruby Elizabeth Long. The home belonged to Helen’s great grandparents, who were of Cherokee descent. The Eaton family moved often. After Stillwell, they lived in Walsh, Colorado from 1944 to 1947, then they moved to Tucumcari, New Mexico. They later moved to Wichita, KS.
In early 1954, Helen met Clinton in Wichita. She was 15 years old at the time, and it was love at first sight! They married on Nov. 20, 1954; she was 16, and he was 21. About 18 months after the wedding, Clinton and Helen welcomed their daughter Starla Jean into the family. Two years later, Darla Kay joined their growing family. Later in 1966, they welcomed a surprise third addition: son Clinton Kay II.
Clinton and Helen purchased their first home on Westridge Dr. of Wichita, KS where they raised their family and grew their gardens together. They were married for 68 years until his death in 2021.
Helen’s faith was paramount in her life. She was 10 years old when she first went to a church service, and soon after she repented of her sins. At the age of 12, she witnessed her first miracle when her mother was healed. Throughout her life, she recognized the hand of God on her, leading her to Him.
Helen loved serving others. Throughout her life, she served Christ in a myriad of ways, including leading song service at church, cooking for camps, picking up people for church, teaching Bible studies, making peanut brittle, cleaning, teaching Sunday school, and being a secretary. She was a member of the hospitality team for years, caring for others during loss and hardship. She has been the “angel on the fourth row” of First Pentecostal Church of Wichita, KS since 1987. Helen also enjoyed being part of the ladies ministry, and looked forward to decorating beautiful tables for the annual ladies tea. Until recently, she was the head greeter, and loved welcoming everyone who came in the door.
Helen was a very loyal friend. With her friends, she would talk on the phone, go on trips, go shopping, and belly laugh about anything and everything. Her closest friendships have been maintained for more than 60 years. She had a feisty streak, and her pranks were notorious.
Helen loved her family deeply. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. To everyone in her family, including the bonus members, she poured out her love through prayers, cards, visits, support, time, gifts, and food.
Her personal hobbies included gardening, reading, thrifting, and collecting recipes, trinkets, and beautiful things. A scholar at heart, she diligently researched local history and genealogy, creating a detailed family lineage tracing back to ancestors who survived the Trail of Tears. She also loved writing; she always took the time to handwrite notes when she wanted to remember or share something.
She is preceded in death by her parents Fletcher Orville Eaton and Ruby Elizabeth Long; her brothers John Thomas Eaton, James Orville Eaton, Joseph Fletcher Eaton, Jerry Dale Eaton, and Donald Ray Eaton; her sister Linda June Eaton; and her husband Clinton Kay Brown.
Helen is survived by her loving children: Starla J. Brown (Shane) of Wichita, KS; Darla K. Loggans (Mike) of Apopka, FL; and Clinton K. Brown II (Deanna) of Anchorage, AK. Her grandchildren: Rachelle L. Moore (James), Nicole M. Orueta (Ezequiel), Michelle D. Brown, Clinton K. Brown III (Ericka), Natalie J. Aeschliman (Ryan), and Blake M. Loggans (Ashley). Her great-grandchildren: Raven L. Thompson, Roen L. Thompson, Alex E. Orueta, Zoe L. Orueta, Clinton K. Brown IV, Liam D. Orueta, Cashe K. Brown, Kalani J. Moore, and Adira Mae Mincks. Her sisters: Betty Jo Hoag and Mary Anne Ast.
Visitation will be Thursday, April 6 at 5-7 p.m. at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. A memorial service will be held at First Pentecostal Church of Wichita, KS on Friday, April 7, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. Helen will be buried beside her husband Clinton K. Brown in the Winfield Veterans Cemetery.
Thank you all so much for your continued support and prayers. All expressions of sympathy, including flowers, honorary donations to Harry Hynes Hospice, and cards are welcome.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
Isaiah 46:3-4