Betty Jean (Koonce) Brown

Grubbs Family Mortuary sadly announces the passing of Ms. Betty Jean Brown 85, of Dothan Alabama. Service's are entrusted to. Grubbs Family Mortuary. A Name YOU Can Trust And Stand On. When Only The Best Will Do! We ask That you please keep the Brown family in your prayers as they travel through this difficult journey. 

In the early spring season of 1938, April 12th, a baby girl named Betty Jean

Koonce was born to the proud parents of the late Edmond and Alma

Richardson Koonce in the small town of Dothan, Alabama. Being the only girl,

she brought much joy, love, and happiness to her other siblings.

Betty Jean Koonce received the Lord Jesus as her personal Savior and joined the

Patterson Street Freewill Missionary Baptist Church as a small child. She later

joined the Adam Street/ Greater Beulah Baptist Church under the leadership

of Rev. I. H. Alford, where she remained as a faithful member for more than

fifty years. She served as a member of the Women’s Sunday School class,

Women’s Ministry, and the Gospel Choir until her health failed.

Betty graduated from the prestigious George Washington Carver High School

under the principle of the late Mr. John T. Porter.

She met and united in Holy Matrimony to late O. C. Brown and to this union

was born two children: Cassandra Gail Brown and Roderick Brown in which

later in life Cassandra Gail Brown preceded her mother in death.

Betty Jean was affectionately known by her family, and just Betty by her

friends found joy in laughter, cooking, watching sports, and keeping up with

the community news. She was employed as a Kindergarten teacher at

Forrester’s Kindergarten School for several years. Betty loved the camaraderie

of being with friends and family at family, and class reunions or even at

church functions, and events. Betty loved to dress up and wear the latest style,

because of her mother who was her personal seamstress.

As we remember Betty Jean Koonce Brown, we are reminded of the words of

the late Martin Luther King, Jr. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper. He

should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to

say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” Betty Jean wasn’t a

street sweeper, but she enjoyed walking up and down the streets of Acid Plant

Hill. Sharing with the young, and old about life, showing how to treat people

right, and telling them how good God is. She was known in the community as

the “Avon Lady.”

Betty favorite hymn was “ Hold to God Unchanging Hand”. You will hear her

quote it while washing dishes, “Time is filled with swift transition, naught on

earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes in things eternal, Hold unto God’s

unchanging hand.”

Betty Jean Koonce Brown held on to God’s hand unto the end. She gently and

quietly .departed this life on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Southeast Health.

She was the last original legend who’s footprints were etched throughout the

1200 block of Burdeshaw Street. Betty’s life was a testament to her belief, as she

faced each challenge with a resilient spirit and as a kindhearted individual,

leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she encountered. She is

preceded in death by her daughter, her loving parents, her two brothers James

Edward Koonce and Foy “ Billy Jack” Koonce and Sister-n-law Eva Koonce.

Her life and spirit will forever remain with her son, Roderick D. Brown,

Dothan, Ala. her granddaughter Alliyah Kassandra Brown and her mother

Valerie Jackson-Brown, Dothan, Ala. Sister-n-law, Mildred Koonce, Cheyenne,

Wyoming, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and frienBetty favorite hymn was “ Hold to God Unchanging Hand”. You will hear her

quote it while washing dishes, “Time is filled with swift transition, naught on

earth unmoved can stand, build your hopes in things eternal, Hold unto God’s

unchanging hand.”

Betty Jean Koonce Brown held on to God’s hand unto the end. She gently and

quietly .departed this life on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Southeast Health.

She was the last original legend who’s footprints were etched throughout the

1200 block of Burdeshaw Street. Betty’s life was a testament to her belief, as she

faced each challenge with a resilient spirit and as a kindhearted individual,

leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she encountered. She is

preceded in death by her daughter, her loving parents, her two brothers James

Edward Koonce and Foy “ Billy Jack” Koonce and Sister-n-law Eva Koonce.

Her life and spirit will forever remain with her son, Roderick D. Brown,

Dothan, Ala. her granddaughter Alliyah Kassandra Brown and her mother

Valerie Jackson-Brown, Dothan, Ala. Sister-n-law, Mildred Koonce, Cheyenne,

Wyoming, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friend.

Prelude ...................................................................................... Musicians

Processional ............................................................... Ministers & Family

Scripture Readings

Old Testament ................................ Minister Angela Underwoods

New Testament ......................................... Rev. Truman Williams

Prayer of Comfort ...................................................... Rev. Alphonso Neal

Selection .................................................................................. Mass Choir

Acknowledgements ........................................... Grubbs Family Mortuary

Eulogy ..................................................................... Rev. R. Paul Hollman

Recessional ................................................................................ Soft Music

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