Donita Kay Brown

Donita Brown, Warr Acres, Oklahoma, resident was born December 23, 1953, in Edmond, Oklahoma. She departed this life on May 18, 2019, in Warr Acres at the age of 65 years. She was a proud Oklahoman, and contributed to our culture and community with activism in political, social, and educational arenas. She often relayed Oklahoma history to friends, family, and students. Donita valued education. She completed her B.S. in Elementary Education with a Minor in Physical Education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1975. After having her two daughters, she completed her Masters in Education at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1989. In her early career as an educator, she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a classroom teacher at Jemez Day school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and later, taught English to Vietnamese, Laotian and Cambodian refugees at the Vietnamese Refugee Center in Oklahoma City. At the collegiate level, Donita taught early childhood education at the University of Central Oklahoma as well as at Redlands Community College. She especially loved working with children. Donita spent much of her career teaching in Yukon, Oklahoma at Skyview Elementary, and more recently, Central Elementary School. Donita knew that if you could teach someone to read, you set a foundation for continued opportunity with a necessary skill for lifelong learning. She was set apart by the deep investment she personally made in her students’ well-being. Donita received many awards and recognitions for her contributions in education, but she was most proud of being honored by Central Elementary School as Teacher of the Year in 2015. Family and friends were of the upmost importance to Donita. She was above all a devoted and faithful daughter, mother, cousin, and friend. She reminded us that love lasts forever. Donita was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ruth and Earl Renner, George and Macel Brown; two aunts and uncles, Sarah and Orlis Reames, Jo and Richard Renner. Survivors include her parents, Don and Juanita Brown; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kaitlin and Patrick Rand, Kristin and Jon Novotny, three granddaughters, Vera, Helen, and Frances Novotny; other relatives and many friends. Expressions of sympathy may be made by the donation of books to Central Elementary School, ATTN: Jessica Adams 300 S. 9th Street, Yukon, OK, 73099. A time of visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 AM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home located at 617 Manvel Ave in Chandler, OK. Graveside services will follow at 11:00 AM at the Oak Park Cemetery, with David Thomas officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler, Oklahoma.