Hildreth Barrett Brown

Hildreth Barrett Brown died peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning, May 10, 2016. She was 97--or in her own terminology "old as the hills." Hildreth (or Nook as many called her) was an ardent Baptist, and placed her trust in Jesus Christ and His heavenly kingdom. Hildreth was born on December 8, 1918, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Edgar and Ila Hildreth Barrett. She had two sisters Maxine Barrett Waymack and Mona Dee Waymack. She attended Pine Bluff High School. Hildreth was an accomplished archer in her younger years and won numerous national level titles for her archery. She also loved music and played numerous instruments by ear. She played the piano in church and periodically for residents of local retirement homes. She married John Dee Sanders about 1940 and they had one son, Gary Lamont Sanders. During WWII while John Dee was in the service they moved to Wilmington, Del. There she worked for Dupont Chemical Company. When they returned to Pine Bluff she was the office manager for Glover Livestock Commission Company. In 1961 she married W. G. Brown Sr., founder of Brown Packing Company, Inc. She assumed the role of wife and grandmother in Brown's family--often leading the family gatherings in song and celebration. She and Gordon traveled the country successfully showing Quarter Horses to national recognition. After Gordon died in 1990 she maintained his band of broodmares for another 15 years. Hildreth was a staunch supporter of the Bryant Police and Fire Departments, favoring them with her fruit cake cookies every year at Christmas time. The last several years of her life her care was lovingly overseen by Suzanne Peebles, a close friend, and Seeds of Love in Greenbriar, Arkansas. Hildreth was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, her only son, her two sisters, and her second husband. She was survived by a nephew, Lester Barrett Waymack, great-niece, Nola Gloyd, great-niece, Leslie Waymack, great-nephew, Ronnie Waymack, daughter-in-law, Corrine Sanders, step-son, W.G. Brown Jr., step-daughter, Billie Jean McCune, and numerous step-grandchildren of the Brown family. The funeral will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, at Mount Holly Cemetery at 1200 Broadway, Little Rock, Arkansas. All family and friends are welcome. Flowers may be sent to Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.