- Date Of Birth: November 23, 1933
- Date Of Death: May 1, 2023
- State: New Mexico
Wanda Florene Johnson Brown
My beautiful amazing Mom, left this world on May 6th, 6:00 pm. 2023 at the age of 89. I had to let her go, and it broke my heart. It broke all of our hearts. Mom’s family was close by her side.
Mom loved her family beyond words and was so protective of each and every one of us. What can be said about a woman who was not only my mother, but a special “Auntie” to nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, second mom to some and a “Mama Wanda” to some…. not only Auntie to her family, but Auntie to kiddos who were of no relation. Little ones gravitated to her kind sole and heart.
My mom was my best friend, my light, actually my world. We were exceptionally close. A million words wouldn’t be enough to convey what she meant to me. The love that she gave me was immense, unfathomable really.
Mom met her soul mate and love of her life at a dance. He was tall and handsome and from the South with this slow talking southern drawl is what she said to me. Now I have to share a story, of course… So, mom sees this good look’in guy as told to me , walking across the dance floor towards her, but this other guy made it to her first and asked her to dance whom she turned down because Dad was right behind him to which her girl friend said, “I can’t believe you just did that…and mom replied I saw who I wanted to dance with, and they danced the night away! Not finished yet…So, mom went home that night and told her mom that she had met the man she was going to marry, and that’s what happened two years later! … who does that!? Right!? Soul mates that’s who…and lucky for me! My mom and dad married on September 3, 1954. They were married for 64 years, and had one daughter, that would be me (Dorothy).
My mom was especially close to her nieces and nephews, like a grandma to them, and they felt the same way.
Cindy Ruff, her niece…Auntie was like a second mother to me. She was always there, before my mom passed and long after. She is so missed. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with her, especially these last few years.
Peter Knudsen, her great nephew…” I think I can say this for all of us. Besides my own mother, no one had a larger impact on my life. For my whole life she was always there for me no questions asked. The older I’ve gotten I realize how rare and special that it is to have someone in your life that is always there for you, and unconditionally loves you. Even though she wasn’t my grandmother she was the best grandma anyone could ask for. I truly can’t put into words how much she has meant to me. The love she gave all of us and helping raise us all. Giving us a safe place when we didn’t always have one, teaching us and showing us love every single day. She always felt like safety to me…like I knew I was always going to be OK no matter what because Auntie was always going to take care of me if something happened to me. Auntie was an amazing person and I’ll always miss her. I hope she knew how much I loved her and how much she meant to me.”
Ashley Knudsen, great niece…Auntie was the heart of our family, our safe haven.
Little Sean, great nephew…I miss when me and Auntie would lay on the couch and watch scary mysteries for hours.”
Mom is survived by her only child, daughter Dorothy Tarter and her husband Steve who she thought the world of. This good husband of mine helped me take care of my mom and made her the best margaritas! Mom is also survived by a sister-in-law Betty (Bitty) Vergeson of Tallahassee, FL; brother-in-law Jim Brown (Peggy) of Lanette, AL; sister-in-law Olivia Brown of Opelika, AL; nieces Cindy Ruff, Melodye LeCroy (Braxton), Denise Vergeson, and Janice Brown; nephews David Papworth (Pauline), Gary Brown (Laura), Keith Vergeson, and Jon Vergeson (Melissa). Very Special Great nieces and Nephews Ashley Owsley (Jason), Chris (Audrey), Peter Knudsen (Diana)…. and last but not least her loving great-great Nephews and Nieces, Little Sean, Little Chris…(not so little anymore), Wyatt; Eric, Grayson, Liam, Jordi, Little David, Luke, Leah, Danielle, Jeremy, Maximus, Lorelei, Anakin, Padme, Elizabeth, and Scott.
Many thanks to Frontier Medical home healthcare nurses for all of their loving care and kindness. Rich, you’re the best! No other PT would do for mom. Thank-you Dr. Adajar for your care and compassion, and all that you did for my mom. Many thanks to Sarah East (primary care). You always took such good care of my mom. Mr. Garcia thank you for all that you have done for us over the years.
Cindy and Ashley… Iove you both so much. You both have given me your love, your support, and your shoulders to cry on.
Steve, you have helped me through this difficult ordeal. You have shown my mom love, made her laugh, and helped me care for her. I love you, Husband.
Last but not least, my special Girlfriends, you know who you are!
