Alma “Lorene” Brown, 81, of Coupeville, went home peacefully to be with the Lord on May 28, 2005. The daughter of Merl and Mabel Pike, she was born August 31, 1923 in Olmulgee, Okla.

Growing up around the oil fields with her sisters, Daisy, Ann and Irene and brothers Bud and Frank, she graduated at age 16 at the top of her high school senior class. Lorene later went on to beauty school in Dallas, Texas. While in Dallas she met a young sailor named Charles Brown. They were married Jan. 12, 1943.

The Navy took the family to many places in the U.S., Hawaii and Guam, and then to Whidbey Island for retirement. Job opportunities took them to Utah, then to Puyallup, as civil servants. Lorene worked as a clerk in military logistics for 20 years before retiring.

After 48 years together, Charles passed away in 1991. The following year Lorene moved back to Coupeville to be close to her dear friends. Lorene loved her family, crossword puzzles in the morning, reading, camping, fishing, cards, board games with the family, and giving to the Lord’s work.

Lorene is survived by her sons Tom Brown of Puyallup, Ed Brown and wife Diane of Burlington, Charles Brown of Anacortes, Jim Brown and his wife Darice of Puyallup, and daughter Anna Tetrick of Coupeville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Bryan, Daniel, Ross, Joshua, Ellen, Andrew and Hannah, and great-grandchild Conrad. Her husband Charles, sister Daisy, brothers Frank and Bud and granddaughter Crystal Rae Tetrick preceded her in death.

A private family memorial is planned. Memorials may be made to Operation Christmas Child, Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607. Arrangements and cremation entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.