Estella Brown

Estella Brown, known to family and friends as Stella, went to be with the Lord on April 28, 2020, at the age of 72. Stella was in hospice care at the Medical Center of Aurora in Aurora, Colorado.

Stella was born to Houston Hart and Viola Benson on August 7, 1947 in Alabama. Loved and cared for by many while growing up as a child, Stella returned this love and care twenty-fold, by caring for her father, step father (Sherman Yarber), and mother. Using her intrinsic nature to care for others and a drive to succeed, Stella began her Nursing studies at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. After relocating to Rawlins, Wyoming in the early ‘80s, Stella worked as a retail store manager, until she could apply to and attend Casper College School of Nursing in Casper, Wyoming. Estella Brown, RN was the FIRST African American student to graduate from Casper College in 1988! Stella worked as an RN for Memorial Hospital of Carbon County for several years.  Of note, Stella once received the award for MHCC Employee of the Month. Stella later moved to a new position at Carbon County Public Health. She stepped into a role as the Best Beginnings Program Lead. Stella visited new and expecting mothers, providing education, support, and resources to ensure the health of many moms and babies for over a decade in Rawlins, Wyoming. Stella loved her work, and those to whom she was able to provide care.

Outside of work, Stella was a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband Ray enjoyed taking road trips to see family and to enjoy scenic landmarks as a couple. Stella was the top supporter of all of her children’s sports and performing arts activities! She herself, was a talented singer, and performed with the Rawlins Community Choir, as well as several “informal” performances in her living room and kitchen with the family. Stella was highly involved with her church congregation. She enjoyed services and events at the First Southern Baptist church, and later attended Trinity Assembly of God. Stella took part in several Woman’s’ Group retreats and fundraisers, and took care of children in the nursery for several years.

Stella is survived by her husband Steadman (Ray) Brown (Rawlins, WY), her daughters Lytria Sanders (Colorado Springs, CO), Kimberly (Brown) Trubetskoy and her husband Andrey Trubetskoy (Aurora, CO), her son Raymond Brown and his wife Danielle Brown (Rock Springs, WY), and youngest daughter Michelle Brown (Fort Collins, CO). Stella was also honored to be the ‘bonus mom’ of daughter Opal Brown, and sons Gary Brown, Garrett Brown and his wife Jennielle Brown, Greg Brown and wife Natalia Brown, and Geophil Brown and wife Amanda Brown. Stella was blessed to become a grandmother to Raymond Brown III, Jamillah Brown, Gabriel Brown, Elena Brown, and Gevon Brown. Stella is also survived by her brother Houston Hart Jr. (OH)

Due to the current pandemic, a private service led by Pastor Kirk Sherman, will be held for family members on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 10:00 am at the Jacoby Funeral Home in Rawlins, WY. Messages and flowers can be sent to the following address: Jacoby Funeral Home, 702 W Walnut St, Rawlins, WY, 82301

‘So, you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy’ – John 16:22