In Loving Memory of Bessie Winnona "Onnie" Brown
July 9, 1931 – November 18, 2024

Bessie Winnona Brown, lovingly known as "Onnie," passed away peacefully on November 18, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 93. Born on July 9, 1931, in Thornberry, Texas, Onnie's life was a tapestry of love, resilience, and devotion.

She was the beloved daughter of John Thompson and Edna Brown-Thompson, growing up in Bowie, Texas, in a household brimming with love, laughter, and the bustling energy of eight siblings. Raised in a family of sharecroppers, Onnie learned the value of hard work early in life, spending her childhood traveling across Texas to pick cotton alongside her family. Despite the challenges of her upbringing, she carried those experiences with grace and gratitude, using them to forge a life of strength and purpose.

Onnie's faith was her compass. Raised in the Church of Christ, she was baptized at the tender age of 12 and lived her life as a testament to the teachings of the Bible. Her unwavering faith provided her with a foundation that guided her through life's trials and triumphs, and she became a living example of God's word in action.

In 1961, fate led her to Bakersfield, California, where she met the love of her life, Raymond Brown. Their meeting was nothing short of destiny. At the time, Onnie was a talented backup singer performing with legends like Merle Haggard and Buck Owens at the iconic Blackboard Dance Hall and Saloon. Despite her success and even a romance with Merle Haggard, the moment she met Raymond, her path became crystal clear. It was love at first sight, and she chose Raymond without hesitation. Their whirlwind romance led to a lifetime of love and companionship. They moved to Texas in 1962 to build a life together.

Raymond was not only her husband but also her best friend and soulmate. They were inseparable, sharing a bond that weathered all of life's storms. When Raymond passed away in 1999, a piece of her heart went with him, yet she continued to honor his memory through her enduring love for their family.

Onnie's family was the center of her world. She was a mother like no other, offering unconditional love, wisdom, and warmth to her children. She was the matriarch, the heart of the family, and the one everyone turned to. Her children—Myra "Skip" Newman and her husband Chris, Mark Schlote and his wife Barbara, Raymond Brown and his wife Kellie, and Lawana Brown and her wife Dora - and her legacy of love extended to her 16 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 53 great-great-grandchildren, and one precious great-great-great-grandchild.

Her grandchildren adored her, and she was their greatest cheerleader, confidante, and friend. Her fried pies and cabbage rolls were legendary, and her kitchen was always a haven of comfort and joy. She never let anyone leave hungry and insisted that her refrigerator was a treasure trove for anyone in need.

Onnie's heart was as big as Texas itself. She was known for her warm hugs, bright blue eyes, and kind spirit. Her parting words to loved ones were always, "I love you more," to which she'd add, "That would be impossible," if anyone dared to challenge her love.

Despite her limited formal education—she left school after the third grade—Onnie was a self-taught scholar. She loved to read, learn, and grow, embodying intelligence and resilience. Her shoe collection was enviable, and her passion for costume jewelry reflected her joy for life's little treasures.

Family was everything to Onnie. She was deeply connected to her siblings, sharing daily coffee dates and endless laughter. The bond they shared was unbreakable, and she carried their memory with her until her final days.

Preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Raymond, her eight siblings, and her great-great-grandchild Payton, Onnie's passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter. Yet, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched.

Onnie's journey was one of love, strength, and an unyielding commitment to family and faith. She left the world better than she found it, and her memory will forever be a source of comfort and inspiration to all who knew her.

Her family takes solace in knowing she has reunited with her loved ones in Heaven, where her radiant smile and loving arms are surely lighting up eternity.

Bessie will have a public visitation held @ 1:00 PM Friday, November 22, located at Azle & Lake Worth Funeral Home. Following @ 2:00 PM her funeral service will be held. Immediately after her service her internment will take place on the grounds of Azleland Cemetery & Memorial Park, located at 850 N. Cardinal Rd, Azle, Texas, 76020.