Carolyn L. Brown

Carolyn Louise Brown, age 81, of Valparaiso, Florida, passed away in her home on May 2, 2021 at 3:33 am. She was surrounded by her beloved family who had traveled from all over to be at her side in those final hours, just as she had always stood by their side.

Carolyn, a true Southern Belle, was born on January 7, 1940 in Cullman, Alabama to Herbert W. Gray and Ruby L. Gray. She grew up in Alabama, later moving to Florida, having lived in Valparaiso for the past 54 years. She was a much loved and respected member of the community with her firm belief in God, her compassion for all, her positive outlook and her playful sense of humor. 

Carolyn loved to travel and was an amazing cook, among other things, however, she was most passionate about her dear husband and their family. She devoted her life to loving, nurturing and guiding her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, always saying, “raise a child up in the way they should go. They may stray, but they’ll always come back to the way they were raised.” This was her remembering of the Bible verse Proverbs 22:6, and she recited it often when giving her love-filled advice. 

Carolyn, so dearly loved by many, will be greatly missed by the surviving members of her family: Her beloved husband, Billy F. Brown Sr. (Aka Jack). Her sons; David, Stacy and Billy Jr. Her grandchildren; Davina, David and Patricia. Her great-grandchildren; Hailey, Melina, Laryssa and Luke. And her very first great-great-grandchild, Isabela, whom she met before her passing. She is also survived by her dear siblings; Brenda, Donna, Jane, Susan, Betty and Tim, their brother Chuck having preceded her in passing.

A graveside service was held on May 6, 2021 at 11am where Carolyn now lies in rest at the Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Florida. The service was presided over by her brother-in-law Norman Hoyt. 

This wonderful woman may no longer walk among us, but her spirit and memory will live on through the many things that she has taught us and most of all through the unconditional love and endless memories that she has left in our keeping. And though this loss grieves us beyond measure, we must remember one of her favorite sayings to endure… “don’t look down, look up!” 

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