MARY DOLORES KIRBY-SMITH BROWN, 91, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away quietly in her home surrounded by family members on the 7th day of August, 2011. Sweet Mary from the "West Texas town of El Paso" is now at peace dwelling in the house of the Lord.
Mary was born in 1920 in Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico. Her father, William Selden Kirby-Smith was a silver mining engineer in Mexico and her mother, Dolores Saenz, lovingly called "Tatu" was a homemaker. She lived with her parents in El Paso, Texas.
Mary was the granddaughter of the late General Edmund E. Kirby-Smith, the last Confederate General to surrender during the Civil War and St. Augustine's favorite son. Mary attended Ysleta High School and graduated in 1938, where she was named "most beautiful." She met the love of her life, Millard Preston Brown, Jr. (a graduate of Austin High School), whom she married on November 29, 1939 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in El Paso, Texas.
Mary retired from the El Paso Public Schools, after 35 years of service as a school secretary. She moved to Panama City, Florida to live with her daughter, Kirby and son-in-law, Sam in June of 2004. Mary's husband and family were the focus of her life and she devotedly raised her three children. She always made her home warm, welcoming and comfortable with her bright smile and delightful sense of humor.
Mary was a lifelong member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha (Beta Kappa Chapter) Sorority, where she held the office of President, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as serving as chairwoman for many Philanthropic committees. She volunteered with the Ladies of Charity in El Paso, Texas, where she was a member for many years. She was also a member of the USO in El Paso, Lynn Haven Senior Center and St. Dominic's Alter Society.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, William Selden Kirby-Smith and Dolores Saenz Kirby-Smith, her brothers, Seldon and Frank and her beloved husband of 60 years, Millard Preston Brown, Jr. She is survived by her three children, Millard Preston Brown, III, Frank William Brown (Patricia), Kirby Trunzo (Samuel), her nine grandchildren, Kimberly Brown, Tiffany Brown, Kelly Forehand (Christopher), Trisha Thorne (Darrell), Millard Preston Brown, IV (Shanna), Travis Brown (Elizabeth), Scott Trunzo (Jeanne), Brandon Brown (Michelle) and Teresa Holt (Jeff), her eleven great-grandchildren, Brittany, Millard Preston Brown, V, Gracie, Parker, Kade, Cason, Conolly, Brandon Brown, Jr., Dylan, Jordan, Nicole and Laura.
Mary was a beloved mother, daughter, friend and wife. She will be remembered for her generosity and radiant personally. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her. Her children and grandchildren will always love and thank her for her loyalty, determination, courage and faith.
A special thank you to Dr. Aracella Bernier, PA Carlos Fernandez, Dr. Syed Mahmood, HealthSouth and Covenant Hospice. The family also wishes to thank her caregivers, Kirby and Sam Trunzo, Jeanne Trunzo, Irene Hernandez and Samantha Rouse for her loving care and dedication.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Southerland Family Funeral Home with a Rosary being said at 7:00 P.M. in the chapel. A memorial Mass will be held 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at St. Dominic's Church, where Father Peter Zalewski, will officiate. The family will gather in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss National Cemetery for a private graveside service and interment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Mary's name to Covenant Hospice of Panama City, Florida, M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston, Texas, St. John's Catholic School in Panama City, Florida or Catholic Charities of Panama City, Florida.
