Wanda "Wylene" Brown

Wanda Wylene Brown, 86, precious and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away after a long illness on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Wylene was born in Oklahoma City, OK, to Wayne C. Chesnut and W. Louise (Mills) Chesnut on December 23, 1938. She was “big sister” to two little rowdy brothers, Gary and Troy. She loved the outdoors and was an active teenager. She played basketball in high school and was a cheerleader. She graduated from Rankin High School in Rankin, TX, in 1956. Following high school, she entered Draughon’s Business College in Abilene, TX, graduating in 1958 with a secretarial degree, a degree she used in a law office in Houston, Texas. While they knew each other in high school, Jerry Brown and Wylene did not begin dating until after she had moved to Houston, but it was true love from the start. Jerry was loved by the Chesnut clan as well as Wylene’s friends. As a matter of fact, the patriarch of the family who she lived with in Houston, Vaughn Knight, promised to buy her a set of silver if she married Jerry. Even without the silver, she knew Jerry was the one for her and they married on August 19, 1960. (And yes, the Knight’s gave Wylene a set of silver for their wedding gift.) After the birth of their first child, Wylene decided to dedicate her time to raising their children and left the secretarial field. Wylene and Jerry had four children. As a family, they loved camping, singing and telling wonderful stories around the campfire. Wylene was a life-long learner. She loved to study and discover new things. She loved the Lord with all her heart and was an active teacher in the church her whole life. She taught junior high boys Sunday School (and is still remembered as the teacher who dressed up a GI Joe doll as Moses for a lesson) as well as adult and women’s Bible studies. Her Bible study groups were always amazed at all that she brought to lessons, bringing the Bible alive to all who participated. Wylene also played the piano and had a great love for music. She loved having the family around the piano to sing the old hymns. She also played the piano for church and led both a church choir and a senior adult choir. These opportunities brought together her love for the Lord and music. By those around her, Wylene was known as a woman of wisdom. So many remarked about going to her for encouragement, direction, or simply a listening ear. She always had time for the needs of others. She will be greatly missed. Yet all who loved her know that we grieve not for her, for we know she is illness-free and celebrating with her Lord and Savior. It is those of us left behind that will miss all that was wonderful about Wylene. Wylene is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Jerry W. Brown; her son, Bryan W. Brown (Kathy); her daughters, Dana D. Stefanoff (Buddy) and Sheri L. Heatherly (Mark); her brother, Troy A. Chesnut (Karen); nine grandchildren, Amanda, Sarah, Josh, Natalie, Warren, Perry, Matt, Garrett and Bailey; and three great-grandchildren, Grady, Emma and Aris. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wayne C. and W. Louise Chesnut; her brother, Gary W. Chesnut; and her son, Richard W. Brown. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 28, 2025, at the First Church of God, 222. S. Osage Ave., Dewey, OK, with viewing starting at 9 a.m. Officiating the service is Pastor Michael Boggs. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, OK. Services are under the direction of Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Wanda "Wylene" Brown

December 23, 1938 - July 20, 2025