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Note: Never married. The 1870 federal census for Boyle Co., Kentucky shows her age as 9.
A handwritten note found in Margaret Crawford Browne's bible shows the following information: "Bettie Browne, oldest daughter of S. E. & Maggie Browne departed this life Nov 23 1887. Aged 26 years 5 months & 14 days."
Death of Miss Bettie Brown On Thursday morning of this week, a telegram came from Honey Grove, Texas, announcing the sudden death from heart-disease, of Miss Bettie Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Brown, of this city. Only the day before a letter had come from her telling how well she was, and how much she was still enjoying the delightful visit to her relatives in Honey Grove -- a visit which had been protracted into many months. No intimation had been given of any illness and the sad intelligence came to her family and to the community without warning. She grew up to a beautiful womanhood in our midst. Possessed of all those graces and attractions which go to make the character of a noble young lady, she had won the hearts of a wide circle of friends, and the strongest, truest sweetest love that father, mother, brothers and sisters could give. There can be no wonder that the announcement of her death should produce a shock too intense to be described. The sympathy of a whole community has gone out to this stricken family -- stricken with a wound that only eternity can heal. Alas! that one so lovely, should have a life so brief.
Miss Bettie Browne Tidings were never more unexpected than those which the wires flashed to us from Honey Grove, Texas, announcing the very sudden death of Miss Bettie Browne, at 9:30 P. M., Nov. 23, 1887. The shock to the family of the deceased, and to the entire community was severe beyond description. This sad event has evoked the most heart-felt and universal sympathies for those whose hearts have been pierced with sorrow and caused to bleed, and over whose home such a dark pall has been cast. How strange it seems that one in such perfect health, and just entering upon the prime of life should so suddenly and unexpectedly fall a victim to the death-angel's sickle, and in a moment be snatched away to return to us no more. But how true it is that: -- "Leaves have their time to fall, "And flowers to wither at the North-wind's breath, "And stars to set; -- but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own O Death!" At the time of her death Miss Browne was making an extended visit to her Aunt, Mrs. Smith, in Texas, where she had been for several months and had enjoyed unusually good health, and had no premonitions of her departure. In Texas, as in every other place where she was known, Miss Bettie Browne had become a universal favorite. The following beautiful lines, a tribute from a friend in Honey Grove, express the sentiments of her many friends there: --
"She is gone -- yes forevermore; Gone to that bright beyond -- To that beautiful golden shore.
There she'll sit at God's right hand, And share his grace and love; She'll ever reign in that bright land, That happy land above.
"May Angels hover o'er her there, And be ever at her side. May her heaven be bright and fair, No matter what betide.
"Increase our courage, Lord, Divine, And strengthen us with grace; So when we have lived our time, With her we'll take our place."
Among her large circle of friends in Pleasant Hill, both young and old, she was held in the highest esteem. It is worthy of note, as an evidence of her superior intelligence and social qualities and culture, that she preferred the associations of those who were her seniors, and had no taste for the frivolous amusements of society, and frequently absented herself from places where she was invited to participate in them. She was scrupulously conscientious in doing that which she knew to be right. And judging from the hymns she loved to sing, her clear knowledge of the plan of salvation, and her desire to unite with the church for sometime before her death, we feel assured that she was a true child of God. But perhaps it was in the home circle that Miss Bettie shone with her brightest lustre. At home her mother was her favorite; not that she loved other members of the family less, but mother, more. She was a most faithful and devoted daughter, and a kind forbearing sister. But while we are speaking of her excellencies, we are only reminding ourselves of the irreparable loss which the whole family sustains in losing her from their circle; we are only telling the community that one of its fairest and loveliest has passed away, admonishing us that death is no respecter of persons and is confined to no ages nor seasons. His sharp scythe cuts down alike the tender bud, the blooming flower, and the ripe corn in the ear. The family circle here is broken; but only that through Christ it may be reunited, anon, in bonds that never break. Sadness here now fills the heart, but "the Good God shall wipe away all tears," for "earth hath no sorrow that heaven can not heal." And; -- "While our silent steps are straying Lonely through n'ght's deepening shade, Glory's brightest beams are playing 'Round the happy Christian's head."
The Find A Grave - Cemetery Records and Online Memorials - Bessie Browne source shows her date of birth as 1862.
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