Bettye Ruth Jourdan Brown of Iuka, Mississippi, died at her home on Saturday, September 16. 2017. The only child of J.C. “Jim” Jourdan and Gladys Virginia Carmichael Jourdan, Bettye Ruth, as she was fondly known, was born on February 15, 1929. She graduated from Iuka High School and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Bettye graduated from the University of Mississippi where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Upon graduation, Bettye taught first grade in Shaw, Mississippi.

On August 4, 1951, she married Robert L. Brown, Jr. After completing his service in the United States Air Force, the couple moved to Iuka, where they built their home and raised a family. She quickly became involved in the community and church where she was reared, becoming a member of the 20th Century Club and the Tuesday Study Club. An active member of Iuka United Methodist Church, Mrs. Brown taught Sunday School and served on the Parsonage Building Committee and the Family Life Center Building Committee.

Besides being active in her church and community, Mrs. Brown enjoyed a wide range of hobbies including painting and flower arranging. She was an avid bridge player and liked nothing better than fishing on Pickwick Lake. Mrs. Brown was a wonderful cook and loved having her family and friends in her home for a meal and fellowship. The joys of her life were her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her husband Bob Brown, her parents, and a beloved daughter Beth Brown. She is survived by her son Robert L. Brown III (Debbie) of Iuka, Mississippi; her daughter Barbara James Brown Turner (Bill) of Oxford, Mississippi; five grandsons, Robert Brown IV (Alicia) of Sarasota, FL; Clinton Brown of Florence, Alabama; Brown Turner, Tal Turner and Van Turner of Oxford, Mississippi; as well as two great-grandchildren, Darby Brown and Robert Brown V.

Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka is entrusted with arrangements. Visitation will be Monday, September 18, 2017, at 10 a.m. at Iuka United Methodist Church with the service to follow at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Iuka.

Pallbearers include grandsons Robert Brown, Clinton Brown, and Brown Turner, as well as Gene Jourdan, Raymond Jourdan and Bubba Jourdan.

Memorials may be made to Iuka Heritage, Inc. (The Little Church), P.O. Box 165, Iuka, MS 38852.