Brown to celebrate 100 years of a full life
For The Madera Tribune Helen Brown.
Helen Showers Brown was born Jan. 6, 1918, in Kewanee, Illinois during a snowstorm with four-foot drifts. The doctor could not get to the house, so Helen’s father delivered her. She weighed only four pounds.
Helen’s parents were Carl and Viola Showers; Helen had four older brothers and two older sisters. Helen’s sister, Lucille, is 103 years old; she lives alone, attends church and has lots of friends.
Helen went to Weathersfield Elementary and High School. Her beloved dog, named Adolph, followed her to school, church and town for 13 years. The dog was allowed to sleep in classrooms, became the school mascot, and even went with teams to out-of-town games. Adolph was well known by everyone in Kewanee and was awarded a diploma by the superintendent of schools.
When Helen was 17 years old, she began nursing school at Kewanne Public Hospital, where she worked for 10 years.
When Helen was 18, she eloped and married Sam Houston. He had a great job picking up and delivering motion pictures to theaters. Helen and Sam had two children — Patricia and Sam Junior. After Sam retired, the couple moved to Northridge to be near Helen’s siblings. Then, they moved to Madera to be near their children. Helen was married to Sam for 53 years until he passed away. Presently, Patricia lives in Madera and Sam Junior lives in Auburn.
Four years after Helen’s first husband died, she married Forrest Brown. Forrest had been good friends with Helen’s first husband for 25 years. Forrest was a wounded warrior from World War II. However, the couple traveled all over the United States and were married for seven years until Forrest died.
Helen volunteered at the Madera Community Hospital front desk for more than 13 years. She also crocheted about 1,000 blankets for hospital newborns. She has been an active member of First Christian Church for about 15 years, and is active in the Women’s Improvement Club. In addition, she attends Thursday Bible Study at Fourth Street Church of God, Friday Night Gospel Sing at the First Assembly of God Church, and the Madera Rescue Mission Auxiliary.
Helen stills drives her car, sings, dances, and is very happy and active. She attributes her joy and good health to clean living. And ... Helen believes she will live long enough to see Jesus come back to earth.
