Barbara Hicks Brown, age 93, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 15, 2023.

Barbara loved Jesus and her family. She was a faithful worker and supporter of her church, First Baptist Church, for over sixty years. Barbara was an intelligent, strong, and brave woman who lived a life full of adventure. She was born Nov. 25, 1929 in Monroe County, Tennessee and came to consider Morristown her home. Barbara loved and believed in education. She received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University, Bloomington. She also attended Maryville College, East Tennessee State University, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Barbara worked as a teacher and librarian for over 30 years in Monroe and Loudon counties, Pueblo, Colorado and at Morristown West High School. After the death of her husband in 1979, she began a second career as a missionary in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, Africa where she frequently amazed her family with her fascinating adventures. Barbara believed passionately in sharing the love of Jesus and her faith remained vital to her throughout her life.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. (Jug) Brown, a beloved teacher at Morristown East High School. She is survived by her sons Doug (Mary Sue) and Paul (Lisa) and her granddaughters Bethany (Josh) and Alisa (Adam), as well as her sister Suella “Q” Eiland (Lamar) and her nephew Anthony (Yvette).

The family is grateful to Dorothy Miser for her faithful, loving service as Barbara’s caregiver for many years. Appreciation is also extended to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice and the many others who provided loving care and kindness during her final years.

The family will receive friends at Witt Baptist Church on Thursday, May 18 from 5–7 p.m. with a Celebration of Life service at 7 p.m. Burial will be at Hamblen Memory Gardens on Friday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Jug Brown Memorial Textbook Fund.

Arrangements by Mayes Mortuary.