Elizabeth Adams Brown

Elizabeth Adams Brown, a lifelong resident of Coryell County, passed away Friday, January 3, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, at Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville. Interment will follow at Gatesville City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Funeral Home.

Elizabeth had a long and fulfilling life. The next to youngest of eleven children, she was the daughter of Dave and Kate Adams. Growing up in Purmela, Texas, her happy childhood was spent surrounded by siblings, relatives, and close friends. The Adams family never hesitated to tag each other with nicknames, and her first nickname was Lizard, based on her crawling skills as a toddler. Lizard was shortened to Zard, which remained with her for the rest of her life. As a child of the Depression, Elizabeth learned how to be thrifty, helping her mother Kate to grow much of what they ate in a large garden. Chickens were no match for her gathering skills and cows were milked by her expert hands. She enjoyed riding a one-eyed horse named “Old Filly” and she learned how to swim at a tender age in Honey Creek. Her father Dave was a water well driller and she was excited when he would return home from working a distant drilling job. His return was usually marked by the replenishment of the family larder with necessities such as flour, coffee, and sugar. She attended Purmela School and picked cotton to save enough money to buy school clothes. She graduated from the eighth grade and enrolled in Gatesville High School, finishing her education at the end of World War II. Many of her brothers served during this time and she recalled being worried about them.

After graduation, she worked in a variety of locations as a waitress, a store clerk and even operated her own restaurant in Purmela. She married Lloyd Brown of Gatesville in 1952, starting the next phase of her life. She was rapidly introduced to the joys and tribulations of being a rancher’s wife and a mother. Starting with the birth of Elizabeth, John and then Melissa followed during the 50’s, and Lloyd and James arrived in the early 60’s.

She became a Christian in the mid ‘50’s and matured spiritually to become a shining example to her husband, children, and extended family. She taught many Sunday School classes over the years, volunteered to support the Vacation Bible Schools her children attended and could be counted on to be one of those members of the congregation who never hesitated to help a friend.

As her children grew up, moved away, and married; she became a grandmother and a great grandmother. She loved all her many descendants and followed their development as they matured. Her special days were when family members came to visit.

She lost Lloyd in 2010 after 58 years of marriage. Her daughter Melissa passed in 2018 after a struggle with cancer, and her son John in 2023. Despite these tragedies, her faith sustained her through these difficult times. 

The Brown family wishes to recognize the talented staff of Coryell Health at the Oaks, who cared for Elizabeth during the final 11 years of her life. 

If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Methodist Children’s Home, 1111 Herring Avenue, Waco, Texas 76708.