Betty Rush Browne

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, December 5, 2012

    Services for Betty Rush Browne will be held Thursday, at 11 a.m., at Newton United Methodist Church, to be followed by a graveside service at Union United Methodist Church in Porterville, with Rev. Wayne Napier officiating. Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

    Ms. Browne, of Newton, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson. She was born Sept. 26, 1937, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was the daughter of Glen and Frances Briggs Rush. She grew up in Porterville and graduated from Porterville High School. After graduating from the Mississippi University for Women, she moved to Apalachicola, Fla., where she taught English at Chapman High School. She moved to Mississippi in 1972 and completed her master’s degree in English at Mississippi State University. Ms. Browne then taught high school English at Newton High School until her retirement in 2002. She was a member of Newton United Methodist Church, where she played the piano for 17 years. She enjoyed playing bridge, working in her yard, traveling around the world, reading, spending time with her family and friends, Mississippi State sports, and proper grammar. Gracious and witty, she was an exceptional mother, grandmother, and friend.

    Survivors include her daughter, Katherine Browne Brown and her husband Jim, their children Rush, Ben, Meg, and Kate, of Starkville; and her daughter, Kelly Browne of New Orleans, La.

    Flowers may be sent to Newton United Methodist Church, 600 Decatur St., Newton, MS 39345.

    Memorials may be made to Newton United Methodist Church, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.

    Visitation will be today, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Newton United Methodist Church.