Ms. Betty R. Brown

Betty Rene York Brown was born September 25, 1937, to the union of Joseph York and Bessie Mae Anderson York in Warren (Bradley County), Arkansas.

Her formal education began at Bradley County School. Betty graduated Salutatorian of her class in May 1955.

Betty accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age at the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Warren, Arkansas. Second Baptist Church became her place to continue to serve the Lord after re-locating in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended church faithfully and joined the Usher Board, where she served diligently as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord. Betty served as secretary of the Usher board for several years. She also worked in the Junior High Sunday School Department and was a member and secretary of the Trustee Board for several years. Betty was a member of the Finance Committee, Budget Committee, Sunday 4PM Bible Study, Sunday School Class Number One, Thelma D. Chappelle Circle, and the American Baptist Women’s Mission Fellowship.

Betty was a Life member of the NAACP. She also worked for several years as an Election Judge. Betty was very adamant about her civic responsibilities.

In 1985 there was a need for leadership for the Boy Scout Troop 6 sponsored by Second Baptist Church. It was this need that lead Betty to begin working with the Boy Scouts. She eventually became a Scout Leader/Scout Master to keep the troop afloat until adequate leadership could be secured. Betty loved camping with the scouts and often spent ten days in Osceola, Missouri with the troop so they would have the opportunity to attend camp. Afterwards, she continued to serve in the capacity as a committee member and later becoming the Troop Committee Chairperson. Betty received numerous awards from the Heart of America Boy Scout Council (HOAC) including the Award of Merit for volunteer service and the highest honor that Scouting bestows upon a volunteer worker, the Silver Beaver Award. She was inducted into the Tribe-of-Mic-O-Say as Honorary Honored Woman. Her Tribal name was Honored Woman Mother of Wise Prowling Red Fox. Betty became one of the first black women in the HOAC to be inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Later to be the first black woman to be elevated to Sachem which was a great honor to her.

Betty worked at A.T. &T. Company formerly named Western Electric Company in Lee’s Summit, Missouri for 17 years. After leaving there, she attended Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, Missouri where she earned an Associate degree in Applied Science in Information Systems. Betty worked for the Kansas City Public School District from 1992 until her retirement in October 2013. 

Betty loved to travel and had a desire to see what the other part of the world looked like. She also loved to read and was a member of the Ebony Sisters of the Spirit Book Club.

Betty was the loving mother of four children: Warrenetta E. Williams-Wilson, Kenneth R. Williams, Sr., Michelle R. Williams, and the late Leroy W. Brown, Jr.

Her Grandparents, Annette Scobey Anderson, and Monroe Anderson; parents, Bessie Mae Anderson York, and Joseph York; brother, Paul York; beloved son, Leroy William Brown, Jr., grandsons, Dominic Carter and Aaron Robert Thomas, great granddaughter Alana Williams, all preceded her in death and await her heavenly arrival.

Betty answered the Heavenly call Tuesday, June 8th, 2021.

She leaves to cherish her memories and awaits their heavenly arrival, two daughters, Warrenetta (James) Wilson and Michelle R. Williams both of Kansas City, Missouri; son, Kenneth R. (Peresa) Williams, Sr.; seven grandchildren: Anthony Brown II, Kenneth R. Williams, Jr., Denzel Malik Williams, Aundrana K. Jenkins, Darius Amir Powell-Williams, MacKenzie Victoria Ammons, and Malachi Leroy William Jones; five great grandchildren: Dominique Robinson-Carter, Amina Sofia Binta King-Brown, Zaiden Jenkins, King-Jarair Williams, and Layla Willliams, all of Kansas City, Missouri; great-great granddaughter, Dream Carter; two brothers: Robert (Virgie) York of Kenosha, Wisconsin and George Randy Miller of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A special nephew Michael (Maria) York; great nephew, Michael Delano York; great niece, Michaela Delano York, all of Vacaville, California. A special daughter in law, Cecelia Williams-Wilson, special granddaughter, LaTasha S. (LaQuanta, Sr.) Crawford, her Second Baptist Church (SBC) family and a host of relatives and friends around the USA, all of whom she loved very dearly.

Memorial service will be held Friday, June 25, 2021, 11:00am at Second Baptist Church. Interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. No visitation. Service conducted by Watkins Heritage Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.

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