Alice Brown

Alice Marie Walker was born on 11/6/36 to Marie and James Walker in Durango, Colorado. Alice was the youngest of three children, growing up with her older brother, Johnny, and younger brother, Jimmy. The family lived in the original town of Arboles, that is now covered by Navajo Lake. The family moved to a property north of the old town and owned and operated Walker’s—a gas station, post office, and general store. For many years, Walker’s was a popular gathering place for residents of the area.

At age 16, Alice caught the eye of Charles “Roy” Brown, who also grew up in the area. Roy and Alice began their courtship shortly thereafter and married on 6/17/55. Alice attended the old Fort Lewis College for a year after graduating from high school.

Alice and Roy had five children. Their oldest son, David, was born in 1957; daughter, Devona, in 1958; daughter, Dori, in 1961; daughter, Dawn, in 1965, and son, Dean, in 1972. Alice described the challenges of having young children by saying that by the time she cleaned one end of the house and made it back to the other, it was time to start over!

In her younger adult years, Alice was always on the go. She was frugal and loved to visit the local thrift shops and finding bargains. She enjoyed decorating her home and sewing. Alice made two of her daughter’s wedding dresses. She also had a gift for cutting hair and cut hair for many church family members.

Alice’s Christian faith was central to her life. Alice and Roy attended First Baptist Church of Durango for many years. They were a part of starting Whispering Pines Bible Camp; Alice sewed curtains, cleaned, and loved to drive kids to camp. Alice was also a deaconess and Sunday school teacher for the church. Alice supported Roy in his many years of ministry with the Gideons International, serving in the Ladies Auxiliary. Alice always enjoyed listening to Christian radio, and anytime you visited her home, you could hear peaceful hymns being played.

Alice loved being a homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. She adored her grandchildren and being “Nana”. She was a tremendous help in caring for her grandchildren as they grew up. Alice continued to keep busy in her home into her later years and enjoyed hosting family meals into her early 80s. She spent much time organizing and keeping a tidy home, where kids, grandkids, and friends were always welcome. Alice loved her family greatly. She always gave warm hugs, expressed interest in the lives of her loved ones, and never missed an opportunity to tell you she loved you.

Alice leaves a legacy of love and faith and will be greatly missed.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Roy” Brown; parents, James and Marie Walker; and brother, Johnny Walker. Survived by her children: David Brown, Devona (Doug) Moore, Dori Blauert, Dawn (Jeremiah) Hershberger, and Dean (Amber) Brown; grandchildren: Douglas Roy Moore, Melissa (Joel) Johnson, Rachael (Josh) Cross, Austin (Maddy) Moore, Katie (Christian) Sanders, Matthew Blauert, Rebecca Blauert, Ty (Nicole) Walters, Chynna (Scott) Prenzler, Geoffrey Walters, Sheinja Brooks, Caleb Brown, Adam Brown, and Lily Brown; and great-grandchildren: Keylee Moore, Sadie Johnson, Kaia Cross, Ronan Cross, Leroy Blauert, Brenton Prenzler, Tessa Prenzler, and Magnolia McDougal.