Martha Laverne Brown was born in Cleveland, Texas, on Nov. 1, 1944, and passed away on Dec. 20, 2025, in Conroe, Texas, at the age of 81. Laverne was the daughter of Luther Pearl and Dorothy Mae Croft.
She married Nolan Brown in 1965 and raised five children in Tarkington Prairie. Later, her name changed to Memee at the birth of her first grandchild. She loved this new role in her life.
Laverne was a very creative, talented person in many ways. Some of her talents included playing the accordion, working in the woodshop creating furniture and crafts, and oil painting. She had a passion to create things and was proud when it pleased others. It made her happy to not only create beautiful things but to prove to others that she could do hard things. Laverne showed her determination once when she was told she couldn’t build a toddler bed and the proceeded to go to the woodshop and build a bed that has been used for decades and eight toddlers so far. Laverne used these same creative talents when she worked many years as a florist making beautiful arrangements both professionally and for friends and family.
She loved getting together with her family, all things purple, watching rodeos, especially bull riding events, along with the Houston Astros and LSU football. Laverne made it a priority to be at church every week and faithfully served at different churches over her lifetime. When she could no longer drive, she was disappointed that she couldn’t attend her church but would attend a service or bible study in her community as often as possible.
Laverne was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 30 years, her in-laws Joseph F. and Sadie Marzie Brown; brother-in-law’s Earnest Landrum, Gene Brown, and Cecil Brown; nephew Gary Landrum and great nephew Anthony Stout. Laverne is survived by her sisters Louise Landrum, Barbara Tanner and husband Willard; brother-in-law’s Vernon Brown, Clifford Brown, sister-in-law’s Melinda Burleson and husband Jerry; and Gaynell Brown.
She is also survived by her children Sherry Blakelock and husband Paul, Tim Brown and wife Lori, Marlan Brown and wife Lolita, Paul Brown and wife Tonia, and Kristina McClain and husband John. Memee is survived by thirteen grandchildren; Jamie Sanchez, Clayton Brown and wife Kelsey, Sarah Baker and husband Justice, Wintter Northcutt and husband Tanner, Carly Bolton and husband Joey, Rachel Blakelock, Christopher Grimmett and wife Hannah, Ashlynn McClain, Matthew Grimmett, Hazel Nicole McClain, Seth Brown, Cy Brown and Amos Brown. Memee was also blessed with ten great grandchildren; Brooks, Addilynn, Harper, Kayson, Jameson, Marlyn, Elkan, Colter, Vivian and Drake. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, at Lum’s Garden of Memories in Cleveland, Texas.