Our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother Frances Opal (Miller) Brown was born December 4th, 1916 in Richards, Colorado, the tenth child of Martin B. and Fanny D. Miller. Frances Opal died on March 3, 2023 at Walsh, Colorado at the age of 106.

On October 12, 1940 her greatest joy was when she was united in marriage to Vernon Alexander Brown. In January 1941 they moved 20 miles south of Walsh and ranched and farmed. God blessed their family with four sons, Corwin, Lloyd, John and Douglas. Ranching and farming and raising four boys. Those days are remembered and spoken of with great fondness by us brothers. Mother was dedicated to her family and raised us to believe in God.

John asked Mother a few days ago when she was saved. She said a long time ago. She was very involved in the service of her Lord and His church. Many a young person was hauled to bible school and other church activities. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Frances was a shining example of a Christian. She lived her life for the Lord and was a kind and loving mother. She was a wonderful chef. Her baked goods were famous. Her pies, bread, fried chicken and pancakes with the homemade Amish syrup, were the best. The smell of fresh baked bread awaited us as we got off the school bus.

She was famous for growing chickens, laying hens, turkeys, and flowers. She baked, canned, separated cream and made butter. Mother had a route to deliver 50 dozen eggs a week. We had to wash all the eggs before we could play family games.

On the way from our house to town, church, or most any place, mother would crochet Afghans for her grandchildren, but mostly went to sleep.

Mother sent out over a 100 Christmas letters every year. She made lots of Christmas Candy, which was hidden in a cold bedroom under her bed and you better not snitch any. She loved making & painting ceramics with Beatrice Cogburn.

As a young teenager, she worked at the Campo Café for $1.75 a week.

When we first got phones there were 5 people on our party line.

Mother would go out and meet the school bus and make the bus driver wait until us boys were finished eating breakfast. We always had clean clothes and nice haircuts. Thanks Mother!

Frances became the family matriarch in 2008 when her brother Howard passed away.

Mother taught us about anticipation. "Just wait till your father gets home." Mother taught us religion. "You better pray that will come out of your clothes. (Skunk spray)". Mother taught us foresight. "Make sure your ears are clean and you wear clean underwear in case of an accident". Mother taught us about osmosis. "Shut up and eat your supper". Our father taught us about irony. "Keep crying and I will give you something to cry about". Mother taught us about stamina. "You will sit there until those cooked carrots are gone". Mother taught us about envy. "There are millions of starving kids in India". Mother taught us about genetics. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you will never grow up". Mother taught us about our roots. "Shut that door. Do you think you were born in a barn". Mother taught us wisdom. "When you get to be my age you will understand." Mother taught us about justice. "One day you will have children and I hope they turn out just like you".

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, her son Douglas, and grandson Eric, her parents, all of her siblings- Monroe, Raymond, Benjamin, Martin, Roy and Howard Miller, Iva Litke, Mary Adams, & Cleo Litke.