Betty (McRae) Brown

Betty (McRae) Brown, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 in the comfort and dignity of her home. Born in Robeson County, North Carolina on February 22, 1937, Betty was the daughter of the late James and Whelemena (McAruthur) McRae. She was raised in Robeson County where she attended local schools. Upon her graduation from Longburgh Institute she relocated to New Jersey. After her marriage she finally settled in Utica in November of 1960. At one time, she shared a relationship with the late John Brown who passed away in 1972. Betty was a very giving person who showed unconditional love to her children and grandchildren. She worked in her vocation as a homemaker and caretaker of her children until 1987, when she returned to school to earn her licensure as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She completed this goal and began working as a home healthcare nurse at Broadacres Skilled Nursing Facility, the position from which she retired. Betty enjoyed tending to her family, her patients, and her home. She was a source of support and suggestions for anyone who confided in her. Among her attributes, her culinary skills were amazing and will be dearly missed by her family. Her Southern home-style cooking was one of a kind and could not be duplicated. But the best times of Betty’s life were spent when she gathered with her entire family in one place, and most recently, times spent with her great-grandchildren. Her pastime pursuits included trips to Vernon Downs and occasionally playing the New York State Lottery. She delighted in days relaxing and watching her soap operas in the coziness and contentment of her home. At one time she was a faithful parishioner of St. Paul’s Baptist Church when it was under the pastoral ministration of Rev. Franklin Upthegrove and his wife Margaret. Betty is survived by her daughter, Denise Brown of Utica. Always close to her heart was the memory of her daughter, Cynthia McRae, who passed away in 2006. She also leaves her grandchildren, James Matthews and Maria Arzuaga, Jonikmous Rogers, and Tatiana Rogers, all of Utica; her great-grandchildren, Arianna Howard, Indion Howard, Annaira Howard, and James Matthews, Jr.; her sister and brother-in-law, Daisy and Hardie Warner of Rosell, NJ; her great-uncles, Willie MacAruthur of East Orange, NJ, and Ulysses MacAruthur of Benton, SC; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2:00-3:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Flowers are graciously accepted. Those wishing to express an act of kindness may make a donation to the American Heart Association; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Betty’s Home Going and Celebration of Life will commence on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Rev. George Clark officiating the ceremony. Interment will take place in New Forest Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Betty (McRae) Brown

February 22, 1937 - April 24, 2013