Ruth Marie Brown

Brown, Ruth Marie

Ruth Marie Brown, 87, of Devine, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2022 surrounded by family after a long battle with dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. She was born on October 10, 1934 to David and Antonietta (Garcia) Hernandez in San Antonio, TX. 

Ruth was raised in San Antonio, attended Jefferson High School, grew up riding Charro, and was crowned Queen in 1987. Her father was the founder of “La Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio”. It was one summer where she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” B. Brown at a public swimming pool. The two married on October 4, 1954. 

Ruth had many passions in life - she loved to dance, travel, and host parties. She was a lover of animals and plants – always enjoying her green houses. Affectionately known as “Granny” to her grandchildren, some of her grandchildren’s fondest memories are holidays at Granny and Granddad’s home. She was the life of the party; center of all gatherings and the reason such fond childhood memories were made. Granny made each holiday special. She sewed each grandchild their own Christmas stocking for Christmas, had extravagant egg hunts for Easter, memorable tea parties with her granddaughter, and swimming in their pool together as a family was always fun. To know Ruth is to know how devoted she was to “her” San Antonio Spurs and the affinity she had for driving round her Corvette.

Ruth and Bob were a “dynamic duo” and as a team built their legacy, starting with an independent used car lot they had for 9 years. In 1966 they were offered the opportunity to become a new automobile franchise dealer - that’s when Brown Chevrolet Company in Devine was founded.  The original dealership facilities, a hodge-podge of old buildings located in downtown Devine, served them well for seventeen years. With much continued success, the Browns built a new, larger dealership on the edge of Devine in 1983 and once again in 2001 with a unique, state-of-the-art facility with the latest technologies while maintaining his favored method of doing business with a handshake. In 1981, Bob Brown began his quest to expand his automotive holdings with his purchase of Brown Pontiac-Cadillac-GMC in Del Rio, which later became Brown Automotive Center with his acquisition of the local Nissan-Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealer. In 1989, he opened Brown Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep in Devine and in 2003 he returned to Del Rio to purchase Brown Chevrolet of Del Rio. In 2004, Brown added his latest acquisition with his purchase of Brown Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac-GMC of Eagle Pass. Their legacy continues within the 5 dealerships today. 

Ruth lived her life to the fullest alongside the love of her life, Bob. Ruth and Bob were generous philanthropists in their community. They believed in sharing their success by giving back to the communities that supported their businesses, especially to local and surrounding school districts, as well as many non-profit organizations and law enforcement agencies. Their support has been felt for over forty years from various program sponsorships such as Little League, Boy and Girl Scouts, American Cancer Association walk-a-thons, stadium scoreboards, driver education vehicles, school buses, bicycles and toys at Christmas, building a community center and so much more.

Bob and Ruth were devout San Antonio Spurs fans, becoming season ticket holders since the Spurs arrived in San Antonio in 1973. From the beginning, they have always supported the team with enthusiasm, devotion, and love. They could always be seen sitting courtside cheering for the home team. Through the years, both Ruth and Bob enjoyed a close and special relationship with the management, staff, and players of the San Antonio Spurs. For years, the pair shared their love of the Spurs organization by asking their favorite players - David Robinson, Avery Johnson, Bruce Bowen, Tony Parker, and others to talk to students about life's choices in Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and San Antonio. The players never refused them and the students never forgot these opportunities. They were awarded the Most Valuable Partners from the Spurs organization multiple times. 

We will forever cherish the love you gave us, the experiences shared with you, and most importantly the life lessons you and granddad taught us. Your hard work, dedication, and generosity were graciously instilled in us all and for that we will continue your and granddad’s legacy. Rest In Peace, Granny. Your work on earth is done. May you forever be by the love of your life’s side cheering us and your San Antonio Spurs from above. Until we meet again. 

Ruth is preceded in death by her beloved husband 51 years, Robert “Bob” B. Brown, her parents, and her great-granddaughter Emma Marie Ortiz.

Left to treasure her memory are her children: Robert and Thelma of Devine, TX, William and Deborah of Castroville, TX, Michael of Devine, TX and daughter Jeanette Brown Perez and Carlos of Del Rio, TX; grandchildren: Robert Brown II, Christie Brown, Steven Brown, Kevin Brown, David Brown, Jennifer Fry, Lanette Ortiz Cuevas, Yvette Alvarado, Christopher Ortiz, Joseph Ortiz, Carrie Brown Cooper, Brittany Brown Walker, and Victoria Brown; and 23 precious great-grandchildren

Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Steven Brown, Christopher Ortiz, Kevin Brown, Robert “Robbie” Brown, Joseph Ortiz and David Brown; honorary pallbearers, Joel and Cristina Hernandez.

A special thank you to Joel and Cristina Hernandez and their family who are like family to us and have been caring for Mr. & Mrs. Brown and family for 38 years. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for loving and caring for our Granny and Granddad, we will forever be grateful to you and your family. Additional acknowledgement and gratitude for Ruth’s caregivers over the years, Adriana Cruz, Carmen Garcia, Laura Gomez, Rose Galvez, Augustine “Augie” Guzman, Mary Jane Balderama, Margaret Summers and Patricia “Patty” Redman. We appreciate your help.

A Celebration of life for Mrs. Ruth Brown will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, 308 W. Hondo Ave., Devine, Texas. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine.

 
Services have been entrusted to Hurley Funeral Home - Devine, 303 W College Ave, Devine, TX 78016.

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