Katherine Josephine Brown

Katherine was born January 27, 1934, to Moselle Natalie Pettie and Oliver Wendell Pettie in Boston, Massachusetts. She obtained her GED and graduated from several job training programs, including Raytheon. Katherine had a diverse work history. She ran a luncheonette for two years, and was involved with food programs where she helped distribute, fruit, vegetables and other goods to the seniors in the buildings in which she lived in Boston (10 years) and Tacoma (18 years). She was a longtime member of the Elks Club of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She married Thomas Brown; they were later divorced. Katherine loved bowling and was in a league for many years. She walked everywhere, walking several miles a day. She also loved to play all types of games, including bingo, pinochle, canasta, backgammon, chess, Uno and various computer games. Everywhere Katherine went, everyone loved her. Everything about her was sharp: how she dressed, her hair style, her beauty, her quick wit, and occasionally her tongue. She was known for several sayings, including “You know I know,” “And the beat goes on,” “Don’t start none and there won’t be none,” “That Wanda,” and “Maintain your cool.” Katherine passed away of natural causes on December 13, 2014 in Lacey, Washington. She was 80 years old. She is survived by her ex-husband, Thomas Brown Sr.; sons, Thomas Brown Jr., James E. Brown and Manson Brown; daughter, Wanda D. Anderson; grandchildren, Thomas M. Brown, Donald Anderson III, Juanay Anderson, Tanaiya Anderson, Sharmee Anderson, Ishyea Gunter, and Manson Gunter; great grandchildren, Rhiannon Anderson, Skylar Arnold, Ayanna Arnold, Tiannah Anderson, Jayden Anderson, Daquaan Gunter, Eric Brown, Erie Brown, Kiamani Gunter, Kaeveona Gooding, and Makayla Ford; great-great grandchild, Nalani Gunter-Woodly; sister, Virginia Owens (the eldest of the five Pettie sisters); brother-in-law, Rupert Lewis; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; and sisters, Dorenda Snow, Olive Lewis, Moselle Bohannon. Please leave memories of Katherine or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.