McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, Inc. | Blytheville, AR

Obituary For Mrs. Betty Sue Massey Brown

Mrs. Betty Sue Massey Brown was born January 18, 1938 in El Dorado, Arkansas to Johnny Moses and Gladys Jaynie Burks Massey. She was the fifth child of eight born to their union. Finding Christ at an early age, Betty became a member of the First Baptist Church in El Dorado, Arkansas. She joined their choir and took several other assignments while serving in their budding ministries.

Betty attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in El Dorado in 1955. From there, she attended and graduated from AM&N (now UAPB) graduating in 1959 with a BS Degree in Education. While at AM&N, she rekindled an old flame with Cecil” Curtis” Brown and on July 24, 1959 they united in marriage. To their union, one daughter, Felicia Monique was born.

Upon moving to Blytheville, Betty began her career as an educator with the Blytheville School District as a teacher at Central Elementary School. She earned her Masters Degree in Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. After thirty-three years of service with the Blytheville School District she retired in 1993. Realizing that she had more lives to bless, she went to work for MCAEOC Head Start as Center Coordinator retiring in January 2019 as Center Operations Specialist with twenty-five years of service to Head Start. Betty joined the illustrious sorority of Delta Sigma Theta-where she served voraciously until her health began to fail.

Mrs. Brown was a devoted member of New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Clark Phillips. She was a Church Mother who worked with the youth on Christmas plays and with Vacation Bible School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Johnny Massey, Jr., four sisters, Ruby Preston, Margaret Williams, Helen Camper and Ophelia Gillespie. Betty passed away Wednesday July 29, 2020 at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the age of 82.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Cecil “Curtis” Brown of the home; a daughter, Felicia Brown-Leach; one granddaughter Madisson Simmone Lee, a bonus grandson, Reginald Shipman; brother Harold David (Bobbie) Massey; one sister Alberta Massey Howard; a daughter-friend Jeanette Hoy; a special sister-in-law Lillie Rachel Massey a brother-in-law Robert Gillespie; a god-daughter Ke’Miaya Ware; six nieces, 3 nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

A walk-through visitation will be held Friday August 7, 2020 from 5:00 until 7:00 at McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, 1207 South Division Street.

Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday August 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., at New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 515 East Sawyer Street, Blytheville, Arkansas. Pastor Clark Phillips will deliver the eulogy with burial to follow at Marianna Memorial Cemetery in Marianna, Arkansas.

Guest Book

Praying for you, Mr Brown, Felicia, and your family as you deal with the after math of the loss of Mrs Brown. I pray for your comfort, healing,and strength during this time of bereavement. George White - Pine Bluff

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Praying for you, Mr Brown, Felicia, and your family as you deal with the after math of the loss of Mrs Brown. I pray for your comfort, healing,and strength during this time of bereavement.

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"Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, comfort in the midst of pain." Please know you in my thoughts and prayers. ~Annette, Wilson NC

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May God continue to give you strength and comfort. Shirley McDaniel El Dorado, AR

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Condolences to Harold, Alberta and the Brown family

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My Beloved Family, Thank you for sharing Betty Sue with the family. She is one that will be remembered for she was an "Incredible Woman," who mentored me and others with a taste of style, character, integrity, courage, and grace with the spiritual gifts God gave her. She inspired me to move forward with joy, hope, and love. To God be the Glory for Betty Sue! Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal. May God continue to comfort and strengthen you Curtis, Monique, and Madison. He is able. We love you. Cousin Margaret Snowden Gatson and family

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Betty, you will always be a second mom to me. I love you. Felicia and Cecil all my love and prayers.

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Asking special blessing for a special lady and family. Gone but will never be forgotten. RIP, Deenie.

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The heart is never ready, the time is never right to say good bye. Praying God will comfort and care for you while you celebrate the love and legacy that lives on. With deep sympathy.--Birdie Greene

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May God comfort you during times like these. You have my heartfelt deepest condolences and prayer. Agape. Donna Aldridge/McCray

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May God give you all comfort and peace during this difficult time. ~ Sonja Hayes, Wilson, NC

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- McDonald-Horne Funeral Home, Inc. | Blytheville, AR