BROWN, RALEIGH HOLDEN (1921 ~ 2009). The following is a family-placed obituary for Judge Raleigh Holden Brown, former Justice on the 11th Texas Court of Appeals. The obituary was published in the Abilene Reporter News on May 25, 2009.
Judge Raleigh Brown passed away Saturday evening, May 23, 2009 surrounded by all of his family. He was born on December 10, 1921 in Shreveport, Louisiana, grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, yet lived in Abilene, Texas for most of his adult life.
Raleigh was a true example of a man of the Spirit who had reaped what he sowed. As written in Galatians, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." He exhibited all of these qualities and was loved by all.
Most commonly called "Judge", he served his city, state and his country in numerous capacities and will forever be remembered on Memorial Day Weekend.
Judge served as Justice on the 11th Court of Appeals; Commissioner on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; District Judge of The 42nd District Court; Presiding Judge of the 7th Administrative District; President of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce; President of the Texas State Exchange Clubs; President of the Abilene Exchange Club; President of the West Texas Rehabilitation Center; Secretary of the West Texas Rehabilitation Foundation; 1st Chairman of Regional Education Center #14; Chairman of the Administration Board of St. Paul United Methodist Church; Chairman of Goodfellows; two term member of the House of Representatives; Chairman of City-County Child Welfare Board; Member of the Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board; Member of the Abilene Health Foundation and Development Corporation Board; Member of the Abilene Movie Review Board; Member of the Board of Directors of Bank of Commerce; Boys' Club Sponsor for YMCA; Member of Executive Committee of Judicial Section of the Texas Bar Association; President of the Abilene Country Club for two terms; Member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity; Life Member of the Texas Bar Association; Member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and Propheteers' Sunday School Class; and served in the Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Survivors include three daughters and their families: Nancy and Boo Jennings, Clark and Will Jennings; Betsy and Dick Skorburg, Wendy and Chase Skorburg, Meg and Julie Skorburg; Julie and Mike Denny, Kate and Matt Haney, Austin and Liz Denny.
Other survivors include one sister, Bettye Smartt of Chattanooga, Tennessee and her daughters, Suzanne Smartt and Maureen and Barry Hall; two sisters-in-law, Margie Wells of Abilene and Frances Mae Sears of Sweetwater and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 27th at 1:30 p.m. directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 26th at 1454 Woodland Trail from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605, and St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech, Abilene, Texas, 79601.
"The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life".
Galatians 6:7
Further information is available through the Texas State Cemetery research department.
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