Mary Ann Adcock Brown died at her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Judge William Haskell Brown, her daughter, Laurie Ray Brown Besselman, her son-in-law, Charles Patrick Besselman, her three grandsons, Charles Patrick Besselman, Jr., William Joseph Brown Besselman, and Benjamin Michael Ray Besselman, her sister-in-law, Joan James Adcock of Coushatta, LA, her nephew, Joseph Jay Adcock of Coushatta, LA, and his wife, Terry, her nieces, Mary Jan Adcock Adams of Coushatta, LA, and her husband, David, Jill Ann Adcock Kennedy of Shreveport, LA, and her husband, Robert, and Jean Catherine Adcock Worsham of Coushatta, LA, and her husband, Ricky, her cousin Loretta Gates Geneux of Shreveport, LA, and her husband, Lynn, her Goddaughter, Amy Geneux Keck of Houston, Texas, and a bounty of great nieces and nephews.
The Brown-Besselman Family expresses its deep appreciation to her caregiver, Rubellen "Ruby" Ferraras and her sitters, Lavone "Sugar" Hatch, Edna Mae "Mae Mae" Jack, and Sheliah "Kaykay" Rucker for their exceptional care of Mary Ann. Mary Ann nurtured and cherished many close friends throughout her life. You know who you are and you were loved by her.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Ray G. Adcock and Mary Helen Lyles Adcock, her brother, Joseph Wilbur Adcock, and her father and mother in-law, Haskell Young Brown and Cecile Moore Brown.
Born Mary Ann Adcock on January 12, 1937, in Coushatta, LA, Mary Ann graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1959. Appreciated for her combination of engaging qualities, she was named a Lamda Chi Sweetheart and an LSU Beauty. While a student at LSU, Mary Ann was a proud and active member of Chi Omega. She later served the LSU Phi Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega as its Personnel Advisor instilling in so many young women the virtues of thoughtfulness, womanliness, perseverance, and loyalty. On March 27, Mary Ann was honored by Chi Omega with the 2014 Greek Excellence Award. A symphony of high purpose and helpfulness is how Mary Ann lived and shall serve as her memory. While at LSU, Mary Ann met her future husband of 53 years, Bill, who was, by her assessment, "the most handsome man to ever step foot out of the state of Oklahoma." She swore upon laying eyes on him that she would marry him. She believed she could, so she did. After graduation, Mary Ann taught English at Central High School. If you were fortunate to be taught by Mrs. Brown, you are undoubtedly better for it and likely remember memorizing poem after poem just to impress her! Her words of encouragement and admonishment, "Shape up or ship out!" left an indelible mark on your conscience. She took great pride in her role as Cheerleader Sponsor and, competitive to her core, winning the cheerleading state championship.
An active member of Ingleside Methodist Church for over 50 years, Mary Ann's generous and loving spirit provided comfort to so many in the congregation. She also enjoyed her membership and work with the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Potpourri and Fiction Clubs. Her passion lay in her gardening and her husband and son-in-law enjoyed delighting her with their landscaping skills. Mary Ann took considerable pleasure in the view from her sunroom and could name each bird who chose a perch within sight. And a cat dare not prowl near her birds as Mary Ann was at the ready with her BB gun! Mary Ann loved the beach and instilled the same in her beloved and cherished daughter, Laurie. Family vacations usually involved a drive to Florida where Mary Ann assigned kitchen patrol or "KP" with the unbridled authority of a Marine Drill Sergeant. And good, dear friends ordered G & T's for delivery! Her pride and joy, aside from Laurie, were Brown and Ben. She doted on these young fellows and lavished love on them with everything she could muster. Their impressive vocabularies and stellar manners shall be a testament to the power of Mary Ann's presence in their lives. "Nonnie" will occupy the most special of places in their hearts and memories. An avid fan of the musical genius of Loretta Lynn and Elvis Presley, Mary Ann would happily sing along to her favorite tunes. Always fit, always coifed, always proper, always polite and always a lady, "…the prettiest lady you ever laid eyes on."
Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, March 31, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. until time for funeral services at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will follow at the family cemetery in her hometown of Coushatta, LA. under the directions of Rabenhorst Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are David Adams, Jamie Adams, Jay Adcock, Henry Conly, Lynn Geneux, Robert Kennedy, and Ty McMains. Honorary Pallbearers are Ken Abington, Brandon Adcock, Joseph Adcock, Emile Geneux, Darryl Jenkins, William Vanduzee and William Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70806, or to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 640 Jackson Mailstop 112038 Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-2595.
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Published in The Advocate from Mar. 26 to Mar. 30, 2014
The Brown-Besselman Family expresses its deep appreciation to her caregiver, Rubellen "Ruby" Ferraras and her sitters, Lavone "Sugar" Hatch, Edna Mae "Mae Mae" Jack, and Sheliah "Kaykay" Rucker for their exceptional care of Mary Ann. Mary Ann nurtured and cherished many close friends throughout her life. You know who you are and you were loved by her.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Ray G. Adcock and Mary Helen Lyles Adcock, her brother, Joseph Wilbur Adcock, and her father and mother in-law, Haskell Young Brown and Cecile Moore Brown.
Born Mary Ann Adcock on January 12, 1937, in Coushatta, LA, Mary Ann graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1959. Appreciated for her combination of engaging qualities, she was named a Lamda Chi Sweetheart and an LSU Beauty. While a student at LSU, Mary Ann was a proud and active member of Chi Omega. She later served the LSU Phi Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega as its Personnel Advisor instilling in so many young women the virtues of thoughtfulness, womanliness, perseverance, and loyalty. On March 27, Mary Ann was honored by Chi Omega with the 2014 Greek Excellence Award. A symphony of high purpose and helpfulness is how Mary Ann lived and shall serve as her memory. While at LSU, Mary Ann met her future husband of 53 years, Bill, who was, by her assessment, "the most handsome man to ever step foot out of the state of Oklahoma." She swore upon laying eyes on him that she would marry him. She believed she could, so she did. After graduation, Mary Ann taught English at Central High School. If you were fortunate to be taught by Mrs. Brown, you are undoubtedly better for it and likely remember memorizing poem after poem just to impress her! Her words of encouragement and admonishment, "Shape up or ship out!" left an indelible mark on your conscience. She took great pride in her role as Cheerleader Sponsor and, competitive to her core, winning the cheerleading state championship.
An active member of Ingleside Methodist Church for over 50 years, Mary Ann's generous and loving spirit provided comfort to so many in the congregation. She also enjoyed her membership and work with the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Potpourri and Fiction Clubs. Her passion lay in her gardening and her husband and son-in-law enjoyed delighting her with their landscaping skills. Mary Ann took considerable pleasure in the view from her sunroom and could name each bird who chose a perch within sight. And a cat dare not prowl near her birds as Mary Ann was at the ready with her BB gun! Mary Ann loved the beach and instilled the same in her beloved and cherished daughter, Laurie. Family vacations usually involved a drive to Florida where Mary Ann assigned kitchen patrol or "KP" with the unbridled authority of a Marine Drill Sergeant. And good, dear friends ordered G & T's for delivery! Her pride and joy, aside from Laurie, were Brown and Ben. She doted on these young fellows and lavished love on them with everything she could muster. Their impressive vocabularies and stellar manners shall be a testament to the power of Mary Ann's presence in their lives. "Nonnie" will occupy the most special of places in their hearts and memories. An avid fan of the musical genius of Loretta Lynn and Elvis Presley, Mary Ann would happily sing along to her favorite tunes. Always fit, always coifed, always proper, always polite and always a lady, "…the prettiest lady you ever laid eyes on."
Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, March 31, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. until time for funeral services at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will follow at the family cemetery in her hometown of Coushatta, LA. under the directions of Rabenhorst Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are David Adams, Jamie Adams, Jay Adcock, Henry Conly, Lynn Geneux, Robert Kennedy, and Ty McMains. Honorary Pallbearers are Ken Abington, Brandon Adcock, Joseph Adcock, Emile Geneux, Darryl Jenkins, William Vanduzee and William Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70806, or to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 640 Jackson Mailstop 112038 Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-2595.
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Published in The Advocate from Mar. 26 to Mar. 30, 2014
Mary Ann Adcock Brown died at her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Judge William Haskell Brown, her daughter, Laurie Ray Brown Besselman, her son-in-law, Charles Patrick Besselman, her three grandsons, Charles Patrick Besselman, Jr., William Joseph Brown Besselman, and Benjamin Michael Ray Besselman, her sister-in-law, Joan James Adcock of Coushatta, LA, her nephew, Joseph Jay Adcock of Coushatta, LA, and his wife, Terry, her nieces, Mary Jan Adcock Adams of Coushatta, LA, and her husband, David, Jill Ann Adcock Kennedy of Shreveport, LA, and her husband, Robert, and Jean Catherine Adcock Worsham of Coushatta, LA, and her husband, Ricky, her cousin Loretta Gates Geneux of Shreveport, LA, and her husband, Lynn, her Goddaughter, Amy Geneux Keck of Houston, Texas, and a bounty of great nieces and nephews.
The Brown-Besselman Family expresses its deep appreciation to her caregiver, Rubellen "Ruby" Ferraras and her sitters, Lavone "Sugar" Hatch, Edna Mae "Mae Mae" Jack, and Sheliah "Kaykay" Rucker for their exceptional care of Mary Ann. Mary Ann nurtured and cherished many close friends throughout her life. You know who you are and you were loved by her.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Ray G. Adcock and Mary Helen Lyles Adcock, her brother, Joseph Wilbur Adcock, and her father and mother in-law, Haskell Young Brown and Cecile Moore Brown.
Born Mary Ann Adcock on January 12, 1937, in Coushatta, LA, Mary Ann graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1959. Appreciated for her combination of engaging qualities, she was named a Lamda Chi Sweetheart and an LSU Beauty. While a student at LSU, Mary Ann was a proud and active member of Chi Omega. She later served the LSU Phi Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega as its Personnel Advisor instilling in so many young women the virtues of thoughtfulness, womanliness, perseverance, and loyalty. On March 27, Mary Ann was honored by Chi Omega with the 2014 Greek Excellence Award. A symphony of high purpose and helpfulness is how Mary Ann lived and shall serve as her memory. While at LSU, Mary Ann met her future husband of 53 years, Bill, who was, by her assessment, "the most handsome man to ever step foot out of the state of Oklahoma." She swore upon laying eyes on him that she would marry him. She believed she could, so she did. After graduation, Mary Ann taught English at Central High School. If you were fortunate to be taught by Mrs. Brown, you are undoubtedly better for it and likely remember memorizing poem after poem just to impress her! Her words of encouragement and admonishment, "Shape up or ship out!" left an indelible mark on your conscience. She took great pride in her role as Cheerleader Sponsor and, competitive to her core, winning the cheerleading state championship.
An active member of Ingleside Methodist Church for over 50 years, Mary Ann's generous and loving spirit provided comfort to so many in the congregation. She also enjoyed her membership and work with the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Potpourri and Fiction Clubs. Her passion lay in her gardening and her husband and son-in-law enjoyed delighting her with their landscaping skills. Mary Ann took considerable pleasure in the view from her sunroom and could name each bird who chose a perch within sight. And a cat dare not prowl near her birds as Mary Ann was at the ready with her BB gun! Mary Ann loved the beach and instilled the same in her beloved and cherished daughter, Laurie. Family vacations usually involved a drive to Florida where Mary Ann assigned kitchen patrol or "KP" with the unbridled authority of a Marine Drill Sergeant. And good, dear friends ordered G & T's for delivery! Her pride and joy, aside from Laurie, were Brown and Ben. She doted on these young fellows and lavished love on them with everything she could muster. Their impressive vocabularies and stellar manners shall be a testament to the power of Mary Ann's presence in their lives. "Nonnie" will occupy the most special of places in their hearts and memories. An avid fan of the musical genius of Loretta Lynn and Elvis Presley, Mary Ann would happily sing along to her favorite tunes. Always fit, always coifed, always proper, always polite and always a lady, "…the prettiest lady you ever laid eyes on."
Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, March 31, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. until time for funeral services at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will follow at the family cemetery in her hometown of Coushatta, LA. under the directions of Rabenhorst Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are David Adams, Jamie Adams, Jay Adcock, Henry Conly, Lynn Geneux, Robert Kennedy, and Ty McMains. Honorary Pallbearers are Ken Abington, Brandon Adcock, Joseph Adcock, Emile Geneux, Darryl Jenkins, William Vanduzee and William Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70806, or to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 640 Jackson Mailstop 112038 Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-2595.
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Published in The Advocate from Mar. 26 to Mar. 30, 2014
The Brown-Besselman Family expresses its deep appreciation to her caregiver, Rubellen "Ruby" Ferraras and her sitters, Lavone "Sugar" Hatch, Edna Mae "Mae Mae" Jack, and Sheliah "Kaykay" Rucker for their exceptional care of Mary Ann. Mary Ann nurtured and cherished many close friends throughout her life. You know who you are and you were loved by her.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Ray G. Adcock and Mary Helen Lyles Adcock, her brother, Joseph Wilbur Adcock, and her father and mother in-law, Haskell Young Brown and Cecile Moore Brown.
Born Mary Ann Adcock on January 12, 1937, in Coushatta, LA, Mary Ann graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1959. Appreciated for her combination of engaging qualities, she was named a Lamda Chi Sweetheart and an LSU Beauty. While a student at LSU, Mary Ann was a proud and active member of Chi Omega. She later served the LSU Phi Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega as its Personnel Advisor instilling in so many young women the virtues of thoughtfulness, womanliness, perseverance, and loyalty. On March 27, Mary Ann was honored by Chi Omega with the 2014 Greek Excellence Award. A symphony of high purpose and helpfulness is how Mary Ann lived and shall serve as her memory. While at LSU, Mary Ann met her future husband of 53 years, Bill, who was, by her assessment, "the most handsome man to ever step foot out of the state of Oklahoma." She swore upon laying eyes on him that she would marry him. She believed she could, so she did. After graduation, Mary Ann taught English at Central High School. If you were fortunate to be taught by Mrs. Brown, you are undoubtedly better for it and likely remember memorizing poem after poem just to impress her! Her words of encouragement and admonishment, "Shape up or ship out!" left an indelible mark on your conscience. She took great pride in her role as Cheerleader Sponsor and, competitive to her core, winning the cheerleading state championship.
An active member of Ingleside Methodist Church for over 50 years, Mary Ann's generous and loving spirit provided comfort to so many in the congregation. She also enjoyed her membership and work with the Junior League of Baton Rouge and the Potpourri and Fiction Clubs. Her passion lay in her gardening and her husband and son-in-law enjoyed delighting her with their landscaping skills. Mary Ann took considerable pleasure in the view from her sunroom and could name each bird who chose a perch within sight. And a cat dare not prowl near her birds as Mary Ann was at the ready with her BB gun! Mary Ann loved the beach and instilled the same in her beloved and cherished daughter, Laurie. Family vacations usually involved a drive to Florida where Mary Ann assigned kitchen patrol or "KP" with the unbridled authority of a Marine Drill Sergeant. And good, dear friends ordered G & T's for delivery! Her pride and joy, aside from Laurie, were Brown and Ben. She doted on these young fellows and lavished love on them with everything she could muster. Their impressive vocabularies and stellar manners shall be a testament to the power of Mary Ann's presence in their lives. "Nonnie" will occupy the most special of places in their hearts and memories. An avid fan of the musical genius of Loretta Lynn and Elvis Presley, Mary Ann would happily sing along to her favorite tunes. Always fit, always coifed, always proper, always polite and always a lady, "…the prettiest lady you ever laid eyes on."
Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA, on Monday, March 31, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, LA, on Tuesday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. until time for funeral services at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will follow at the family cemetery in her hometown of Coushatta, LA. under the directions of Rabenhorst Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are David Adams, Jamie Adams, Jay Adcock, Henry Conly, Lynn Geneux, Robert Kennedy, and Ty McMains. Honorary Pallbearers are Ken Abington, Brandon Adcock, Joseph Adcock, Emile Geneux, Darryl Jenkins, William Vanduzee and William Wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Ingleside Methodist Church, 4264 Capital Heights, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70806, or to The Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 640 Jackson Mailstop 112038 Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101-2595.
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Published in The Advocate from Mar. 26 to Mar. 30, 2014
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