Jean W. Brown's Obituary
Jean W. Brown passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2023 at age 79. Jean was born December 30, 1943 to Jack and Ennis Woodley in Fort Hancock, New Jersey where Jean’s Father was stationed during the war. She was raised in Jacksonville Florida where she attended Terry Parker High School.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education at Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Education at the University of Florida.
She was a lifelong educator for over 50 years. She served as a special education teacher and then the principal of K-8 at the P. K. Yonge Developmental Research School where she touched the lives of hundreds of children. In 2006 she received the school’s Hal G. Lewis Distinguished Faculty Award.
Following a move to Tampa for her husband’s work, she went back to teaching Special Education and was recognized as Special Education Teacher of the Year. She then started a school for homeless children at Tampa’s Metropolitan Ministries Homeless Shelter and served as principal.
Her family returned to Gainesville in 2002. She was a devoted disciple of Jesus and was a member of CampusView church where her council was valued by many and she will always be loved by all who knew her.
She is survived by Dawson her husband of 55 Years, two daughters, Kimberley Brown of Gainesville, and Kristin (Rob) Thomas of New Canaan, Connecticut, and her sister Mary Carroll of Jacksonville. She also leaves five grandchildren, Corey Criss and Taylor Criss of Gainesville and Will Thomas, Abby Thomas, and Sam Thomas of New Canaan.
A memorial celebration will be held on July 22 at 2:00 PM at the CampusView Church, 2720 SW 2nd Avenue across from the University Law School. Burial at Forest Meadows to follow.
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