Gussie Brown

Gussie Mae Brown, age 84, was born on March 22, 1941, in Stilwell, Oklahoma, to Joe and Alma (Rose) Hignite. She passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Gussie married the love of her life, Robert Lee Brown, at the courthouse in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Together they shared 57 years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, family, and devotion. Gussie lovingly cared for her husband, often teasing him about his smoking, and he affectionately gave her the nickname “Silver.”

A devoted homemaker, Gussie was most proud of her four children and cherished time spent with her family and friends. Her door was always open, and she was happy to feed anyone who came in. Many of her children’s friends came to lovingly call her “Mom.”

Gussie enjoyed cooking and canning, attending auctions, and hosting yard sales. Gussie generously volunteered her time at the Westville Food Pantry, receiving a 10-year service plaque in recognition of her dedication to helping others. Known for her spunk and humor, Gussie once proudly told Judge Payton that she was a "pistol-packing mama."

Gussie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Brown; her parents, Joe and Alma (Rose) Hignite; her sisters, Vinia Presley and Charlotte Marrs; and her brothers, Jerry Lee Hignite, Haskell Hignite, Homer Hignite, Hubert Hignite, and Joe Hignite.

She is survived by her four children: Cameron Brown and wife Christie of Westville, Oklahoma; Clifton Brown and wife Anita of Chewey, Oklahoma; Dee Ann Waldrop of Westville, Oklahoma; and Lee Ann Richie and husband Wayne of Westville; her sister, Bernice Albright and husband Jeff of Lincoln, Arkansas; her grandchildren, including Cory Brown, Chevy Brown, Kelsey York, Samantha Littlejohn, Ashlee Brown, Kyle Whitmire, Ashton Keeling, Ariel Shrum, and Felicia Clauss; along with 16 great-grandchildren, 11 bonus great-grandchildren, extended family members, and friends.

Gussie Mae Brown will be remembered for her generous heart, her strong spirit, her love of family, and the warmth she shared so freely with everyone she met.