S. Ann Brown's Obituary
S. Ann Brown was born in Lubbock, Texas, to Catherine C. Cox and William R. Headstream. Raised in Lubbock, Ann developed an early passion for learning and held a quiet strength that shaped the course of her life.
She attended Texas Tech University, proudly becoming the third of five generations of women in her family to attend the university. Ann earned her degree in Accounting in 1962, after being denied entrance to the Engineering department solely because she was a woman—an experience that strengthened her resolve and determination.
Following graduation, Ann and her young family moved to Houston. There, Ann built a distinguished career as a Controller in the Oil & Gas industry, joining only a small handful of women in the field at the time. She balanced the demands of a rigorous profession while raising her children, Lynn and Deborah, to be resilient and independent, encouraging their pursuit of advanced education, meaningful careers, and diverse interests.
Beyond her many professional accomplishments, Ann expressed herself through many creative pursuits. She was a talented painter, enthusiastic chef, and a master seamstress. Music, the arts, and literature were also important to her—she especially loved to dance.
In her retirement, Ann cherished a slower pace, starting her morning with coffee sitting on her back porch enjoying beautiful nature and the running creek. She spent time with friends and family in the White Water Springs community. She also volunteered her time as the treasurer of the HOA for several years. Ann and her husband Gene of 20-plus years were content living in the Texas Hill Country. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, in 2024.
Ann then moved to Village on the Park’s Memory Care Unit in Bentonville, Arkansas, to be near her daughter. She was most beloved by the attentive and compassionate staff who cared for her until her death at the young age of 85 years on January 4, 2026. Ann is survived by her children, grandchildren and her great-grandchildren who affectionately called her Grannie Annie. She will be fondly remembered for her strength, courage, intellect, creativity, humor, and her love for family and friends expressed famously by her warm hugs.
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