Betty Eames Brown
COLUMBIA — Betty Eames Brown, a docent at MU’s Museum of Art and Archaeology and former administrative associate to the director of MU’s biological sciences division, possessed a love for the arts and for teaching it to others.
“Anything to do with art, she was interested in and worked with it,” said her son, Jim Brown.
Mrs. Brown died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, of a stroke. She was 83.
She was born June 29, 1924, to William Henry and Winnifred Eloise Lowder Eames in Ogden, Utah. She married Herbert Ensign Brown on July 26. 1944.
In 1956, the couple moved to Columbia from Salt Lake City, where they would make their home for more than 50 years. In 2004, their hose was designated as a historic property by the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission.
Mrs. Brown worked in the Columbia Public schools and on the Columbia School Board as a secretary, including at Hickman High School for five years.
Inside and outside of her home, she showed her knowledge and love for art.
In 1987, she became a docent at MU’s Museum of Art and Archaeology, giving tours to groups and classes. She was a member of the Columbia Art League and of Kings Daughters.
“She frequently changed her subject matter depending on the tour group and to further her art education,” her son said. “She tried to develop new tours with new themes so everyone would learn something different, including herself.”
Through her affiliation with the museum, she was able to travel to places such as Turkey, Costa Rica and Thailand.
“She did not travel just for pleasure but to enhance her education about people, art and culture,” Jim Brown said.
She always wanted to see their museums, he said. Mrs. Brown used many of her self-studies and art to illustrate lessons to children of her Sunday school class.
“She knew more than some of these Ph.Ds,” her husband said.
No matter the time or place of meeting, Mrs. Brown’s family said that her bright and vivacious spirit left impressions on many people.
“She made you notice her by brightening up any room she came into,” Jim Brown said.
Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband; two children, James Richard Brown of Dallas, Texas, and Kathleen Brown Blain of Salt Lake City; and two grandchildren, Jeremy Michael Blain and Emily Kathleen Houtz of Salt Lake City.
Mrs. Brown’s three sisters died earlier.
Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4708 Highlands Parkway. Services, conducted by Bishop Thomas M. Mingus, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Ogden, Utah.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the MU Art and Archaeology Museum, 1 Pickard Hall, Columbia, MO 65211-1420 and the Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St., Columbia, MO 65203.
