Obituary: Brown, Charleen D.
Charleen was born September 3, 1917 on a farm in Glen Elder, Kansas to Francis J.
Fox and Ruth (MacFarland) Fox.
At age 13, Charleen’s mother and only sibling died during childbirth.
Life was difficult for her and her father when she was growing up but we know she is now rejoicing with them in Heaven.
Charleen graduated from high school in 1935 with perfect attendance.
She then moved to Topeka, Kansas where she graduated from business school.
After moving to Denver she met and married her first husband Robert C. “Bob” Chandler.
They moved to California where they had two sons, Garry L. Chandler and Robert “Kent” Chandler.
In 1953 they packed up the family and headed to Alaska to find work.
She always recounted the story that at the Canadian/Alaskan border they flipped a coin to decide whether they would go to Fairbanks or Anchorage.
Fairbanks won the coin toss.
Shortly after arriving in Fairbanks, she was hired at Ladd Air Force Base (now Ft. Wainwright).
She worked in the Comptroller’s office, where she was responsible for the base payroll.
In the winter of 1961, she received an award as a Charter Member of the “-72 Degrees Below Zero Club.”
That winter, Fairbanks was so cold that it was declared a disaster area.
Planes could not fly, automobiles would not run, and businesses and schools were all closed.
Everyone was advised to stay home but Charleen knew that payroll was due.
With the help of a military escort she was able to get to work and get payroll out on time “no computers back then!”.
Charleen had a remarkable work ethic throughout her life.
In later years, she loved recounting stories of the wonderful years she had working for the military.
Charlene used to say that she didn’t remember applying for a job that she didn’t get.
Charleen married Clyde “Brownie” Brown in 1968 and together they built a beautiful log home in Fairbanks.
They decided to move to a warmer climate in 1971.
They relocated to Idaho, eventually settling in Bonners Ferry.
In 1992, Brownie passsed away and Charleen moved to Spokane to be closer to her family.
Charleen was a loving, caring Christian woman.
Her faith was an example of how she lived her life.
She attended South Hill Bible Church for the last 20 years of her life.
Her church family was very important to her.
She was always helping those in need.
She was very generous and loving - never having an unkind word to say about anyone.
Charleen was also remarkable in that she remained in touch with most everyone she ever met and was known for sending cards to them for every occasion.
Every Christmas she would send out over 300 cards.
She was very close to her family and set the example of loving the Lord and living the Faith.
She often remarked that she was “amazed” to have lived long enough to be part of five living generations.
Charleen was preceded in death by her first husband Robert “Bob” Chandler and second husband Clyde “Brownie” Brown.
She is survived by sons Garry (Kay) Chandler of Fairbanks, AK, and Kent (Omega) Chandler of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Kent (Joann) Chandler Jr., Suzanne (Mark) Mittleider, Julie Robertson, Tammy (Ron) Baxter and Rebecca Chandler; nine great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are half-brothers John and Arnold Fox of Kansas, and half-sister Marilyn Graham of Kansas.
Charleen will be greatly missed by her family and her many, many friends.
Charleen’s family would like to offer special thanks to Pastors Sunny Westbrook and John Underhill for their love and support of our mother and family.
A celebration of Charleen’s life will be held at South Hill Bible Church at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.
Pastor Sunny Westbrook will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to South Hill Bible Church, 958 East 29th Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99203.