Claudia Marie Brown

On Sunday, April 13, the high desert area around Ridgecrest, California, lost some of its glow. Claudia Marie (Dowda) Brown, who brightened the lives of so many people passed from this life.

Claudia was born in Duncan, Oklahoma in January of 1934. Her family migrated to Ridgecrest, CA looking for work when she was 11 years old. She told stories of living in a  tent like structure until her father could build a house. The family eventually moved onto the China Lake Naval base next door to her future husband, Billy Brown. They were married in 1950 and were 65 days short of their 75th anniversary at her passing.

She was a full time homemaker who always had breakfast ready in the morning, lunches packed, and dinner ready in the evening.  She supported her husband by going to softball games, motorcycle riding, camping, water skiing and driving the boat.

She loved flowers and tended the many beautiful roses in her yard.  Her words and her presence during the eighty of her ninety-one years spent here,  brought joy to all who knew her. And not only here but her light shone in so many other places where her friends and family lived. She still had her sharp, inquisitive mind and was a champion "Words" player, online, with many players.

She leaves behind her husband, three daughters, seven grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. She was very dear to us, and we will miss her so very much.

Most importantly, she loved the Lord with all her heart.  Her testimony of a life well lived will live on in our hearts.