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Like most towns our size in Texas, Brownwood is a friendly community. There aren't many strangers here. Through our schools, our churches, our civic organizations and just all the people that call this home, we grow and learn together. Here are some events, programs and institutions that help bring us together and keep us going.
BROWNWOOD LEGENDS
“Earl Hill – A Tall Texan with the Heart of a Musician
“Western Swing Hall of Fame Honoree”
Even neighbors who live beside Earl Hill for years have no idea that they are living next door to a Western Swing Hall of Fame Honoree—a legend among Western Swing music aficionados and fans from Texas Cowboy Country to Western Europe.
In 2005, Hill was inducted in the Western Swing Music Society Hall of Fame as a “Pioneer of Western Swing.” Hill’s name stands along with Roy Rogers, Bob Wills, and the Sons of the Pioneers to name just a few. In 2006, he received a similar honor from an older western swing organization based in California.
However, with the ease and unassuming manner of a true Texas cowboy, Hill is anything but boastful. When he does share his life-long love of Western Swing Music it would take awhile before he would even mention the many honors he has received. Nor would he readily talk about the years and years of sharing his music in states throughout the West and abroad.
In the early 50’s, as a young man, Hill served as a soldier with the special services division of the U. S. Army. This gave him the opportunity to share Western Swing Music in Europe. Hill’s band at that time was called, “Seven Texans and a Yank” and had three different radio programs. The music was broadcast throughout Europe on the Armed Forces radio network. Additionally, the band along with five others did an extensive Grand Old Opry tour of Germany.
Earl Hill plays the guitar and bass with a love and style that carries you back to different times and places. One can feel the stars and the campfires in some songs and then transition easily into an upbeat tempo with the strings and horns reminiscent of the big band era. It is real Western Swing music—a blend of styles and instruments, which can make you soulful one minute and then the next, literally dare you not to pat your feet or dance.
Earl Hill doesn’t begin to look his age of 79 but he looks every bit the role of a Texas Cowboy from the Valley—South Texas along the Rio Grande for folks who aren’t familiar with this part of the country. Hill stands tall with his Cowboy mustache and his large silver Hall of Fame belt buckle. One can easily imagine him herding cattle and mending fences—things he did until he was 19 years old.
Hill’s father was a rancher and from his father he learned first hand the life of a cowboy. From his mother, who always played the piano and often had people over for sing-a-longs, Hill learned music. As long as Hill can remember, there was music in his world and he began his informal musical education at a very early age.
In addition to playing the trombone by the 5th grade, he is well versed on a number of instruments and styles. He said he grew up listening not only to his mother and her friends but also to Bob Wills and The Spade Cooley Band, among many others. Hill learned Western Swing from the masters, which included Leon Huff, Tommy Duncan, Tex Williams, and Jimmy Widener. He said that listening to them and others convinced him that Western Swing was in his soul.
Earl Hill is a family man. He married his wife, Lavena almost 54 years ago and it’s easy to see they are still in love. Hill gave up playing gigs except on the weekends and for special functions until he finished rearing his family. He worked for many years in the airline industry and retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an air controller.
 For years now, every November to May, he and Lavena head to the Valley in their large RV and play music for the snow birds or as Hill appropriately corrected me by saying, “We call them our winter Texans.” You never know but someday you might have the chance to run into Earl Hill. He and his wife also spend a lot of time traveling and playing his music. If you do meet him, he probably won’t bring it up, but ask him about his music and watch a wide Texas grin appear.
 Stuart Coleman received the first "Groner Pitts Lifetime of Service" award at the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet this spring. No one was more deserving as evidenced by the spontaneous standing ovation for Coleman at the event.
Coleman, a friend and community leader
There was immediate acclamation for Stuart Coleman at the Brownwood Area Chamber of
Commerce Banquet this spring. He received the first "Groner Pitts Lifetime of Service"
award. Coleman, a friend and community leader with the late Mr. Pitts, has given of his time, money, and dedicated service to Brownwood, not just in the past, but continues to "lead from the chair." Coleman never looks for the credit and in many projects only a few people will know of his vital role. Along with Margaret his wife and life time partner, Coleman continues to make us proud of who we are as a community.
"Stephens Remembered as A Businessman Who Lived What He Preached'
By Candace Cooksey Fulton with The Brownwood Bulletin (Abridged)*
H. H. Bud Stephens' daughter Deborah Crowder, gives her father credit for finding the words for how he would want to be remembered. Crowder said going through some of Stephens' papers some months ago, she found an old resume of her dad's. For his career objective, Stephens had written, "To serve God where he wants me to serve and use the talent he has givgen me to his glory." "My dad pretty much said it best himself," Crowder said.
Stepens was a longtime Brown County resident and businessman. Family members described Stephens as a businessman's businessman. At the time of his death in May of 2005, he was owner and broker of Stephens Ranch Land Real Estate. From 1977 until 1991, he managed Weatherby Motor Co. with and for his father-in-law, Joe Weatherby.
He was also a rancher, a farmer, a preacher and a teacher---a Christian friend said, who walked the walk and talked the talk and shared how God could make change in the most broken of lives. The list of civic organizations and volunteer work he was devoted to and the honors bestowed on Stephens both civic and academic filled two long columns in the Brownwood Bulletin's tribute to his life.
Remembering Stephens, Dr. Don Newbury, Chancellor at Howard Payne University, said "Bud Stephens was a classmate and a friend, who thrived on new beginnings. A maverick in many ways," Newbury said, "he sought out people in need and helped them. Bud had a visionary spirit and a missionary heart."
*For the entire article with more information about Bud Stephens and his
life go to the May 27, 2005 issue of The Brownwood Bulletin.
Lifetimes of Artistic Achievement
Brownwood Art Association’s Honorary Members Covers Decades of Work
 Brownwood Art Association’s Annual Fall Show of 2004 displayed the works of eight of its honorary members for their lifetime of artistic achievements. The show was held in the lobby Citizens National Bank and was well attended.
Lovena Forbess, honored artist, views the show.
The eight featured artists and their works represent lifetimes of art and talent. Plus, for individuals born after WWII, their art and their lives offer an opportunity to view another window of time—a wise and valued worldview. Rita K. Bettis, Imogene (Gene) Denman, Lola Earnest, Lovena Forbess, Flossie Moore, Martha Weller Perry, Ima Gem Queen, and Sue McClelland Thierman were chosen for their extraordinary works but also for their individual commitment to art education in Brownwood and throughout the State.
Rita K. Bettis, 98 years old, has enjoyed living in Houston since 1994, but she remains proud of her Brownwood roots and heritage. She was born in Brownwood in 1906. Mrs. Betties married Lee Watson Betties, a Brown county cattleman for 47 years until his death in 1990. (Mrs. Bettis passed away at the age of 100 in 2007).
Mrs. Bettis’ lifetime passion is painting and at nine years old she began an adult art class at Daniel Baker College and continued throughout her life to study art formally and through local and visiting artists. Mrs. Bettis is best known for her still life paintings, especially floral and for paintings of the Brownwood County countryside. She was cited in materials written for an exhibit at Howard Payne as follows: “Mrs. Bettis’ work is recognized by professional and amateur artist alike for her clean, clear, vibrant color, sensitive design and flawless draftsmanship.”
Imogene (Gene) O’grady Denman, has worked with oils and acrylics for over 35 years. She started painting “to create a worthwhile hobby that would last the rest of her life” but soon developed a passion, especially for oils and landscapes. She also paints beautiful still lives and charming decorations in acrylics on fabric. She has studied with Winona Pierson, William Henry Earle, George Kovack, and Kay Franklin.
Mrs. Denman met her husband Jack at Daniel Baker College and married soon after graduation. During WWII they worked at a weather station in Oregon and after the war, they entered several business enterprises and finally chose the insurance field.
Mrs. Denman has served as President, Year Book Chairman, Treasurer, and many other positions as a long time member of the Brownwood Art Association (BAA). Known affectionately as Gene, Mrs. Denman has generously helped beginning artists and members by holding weekly painting sessions at her home.
Lola Earnest, was born in December 15, 1909 at Blanket, Texas. Her family moved to Brownwood in 1910 where Mrs. Earnest has lived for 94 years. Mrs. Earnest grew up in the old jail, where her father Welton Lile was the jailer.
She began drawing and painting in her teens and was self-taught until middle years of her life when she began to take lessons from others. Mrs. Earnest served as President of the BAA in the late 70’s. Under her leadership the club grew exponentially in an atmosphere of new friendships, instructive demonstrations, incentives to paint, and for Mrs. Earnest a life-changing event. It was there that she met her future husband, Carl Earnest.
Mrs. Earnest’s philosophy of painting is best stated by Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1870) “……and my aim in life is to pictures, as many and as well as I can, then at the end of my life, I hope to pass away, looking back with love, and tender regret, and thinking ‘oh the pictures I might have made’……”
Lovena Forbess, 92 years old, began her artistic career later in life, waiting until her sons were in high school before beginning her artistic training. In 1954, she enrolled in Howard Payne University where she concentrated on art courses for almost four years. Her professors were Charles and Maurine Stewart and Eloise Trigg. After HPU, Mrs. Forbess continued her art on three levels. She taught classes, she painted, and she attended workshops.
Over the years, Mrs. Forbess has won many blue ribbons and has held several one-man shows. Her preferred medium is oil and her favored subject is landscape. She was honored as artist of the year in 1987 by the Brownwood Art Association and served as President of BAA once in the 50’s and again in the 70’s.
Flossie Moore, 94 years old also had a passion for art and began painting in earnest when her children were older. Mrs. Moore was born and reared in Brownwood and she and her husband reared their family here. She was a graduate of the Central Texas School of Nursing and Mr. J. J. Bill Moore was a fishing and shotgun representative. Mrs. Moore devoted her life to her family, nursing, and art.
Mrs. Moore shared her love of art with her sister Ora Davis, another noted artist. Mrs. Moore worked primarily with still life oils and was a long time member of the Brownwood Art Association. Along with a long list of family, friends, and fans, her children, grandchildren, and great-grand children value and appreciate talent and her lifetime achievement of beautiful art.
Martha Weller Perry, as a child Mrs. Perry displayed artistic talents in schoolwork and church activities, no doubt helped by the fact that she is a descendent of the famous Weller Pottery Works. Her family moved from San Antonio to Brownwood in her high school years, she attended Daniel Baker College where she met and after graduating married Cullen Perry.
Mrs. Perry taught school for a few years before WWII. During the war, she taught soldiers in Training Camps while her husband served overseas. After the war, Mr. Perry became superintendent of the Santa Anna Schools and Martha continued her career of teaching. When he retired, Mrs. Perry taught a few years in San Angelo and then moved to the Brownwood where she served as a special education teacher. Mrs. Perry was widely respected and known to be devoted to her students
While in San Angelo, she was active in the art club and served as a popular art teacher and leader. After moving to Brownwood, she joined the Brownwood Art Association (BAA) and studied with noted artists Gaitha Browning, William Henry Earle, Maurine Stewart and others. A popular artist, she carried away first prize and blue ribbon from the Comanche County Pow-wow. An asset to the BAA, Mrs. Perry has faithfully served as chairman of many of the association’s committees.
Ima Gem Queen, was an artistic prodigy as a child but was unable to develop her considerable talent until after a business career. During WWII, she was an executive secretary to the Camp Signal Officer. After the war, Ms. Queen worked for Training Officers and later a office manager of an insurance company.
A graduate of Daniel Baker College, she has also studied with noted artists including Winona Pierson, William Henry Earle, Maurine Stewart, Carole Pyburn, Kay Franklin, and others. Now a widely respected artist in her own right, Ms. Queen enjoys paining in oils, watercolor, and pastels. Her favorite subjects are flowers and portraits.
A long time member of the Brownwood Art Association, she has served as President, Program Chairman, Secretary, and several other important positions. Ms. Queen was the editor of the “The Palette Rag” the association’s newsletter and was honored as “Artist of the Year.”
Sue McClelland Thierman, began her art training at an early age as a member of Miss Dobbs’ kindergarden. Mrs. Thierman is blessed with a history of fine artists in her family. Her aunt, a missionary in Mexico was an accomplished artist, as well as Mrs. Thierman’s mother. Mrs. Thierman also states that the greatest influences in her training were by well-known artists, Harry Anthony DeYoung, and Maurine Stewart, Chairman of the Art Department at Howard Payne University.
At one time a professional news reporter for Parade Magazine, she used her talent for publicity to assist the Brownwood Art Association in many ways. Additionally, Mrs. Thierman’s home was a popular meeting place for groups to attend painting sessions. She was President of BAA and was honored as “Artist of the Year in 1991.”
During WWII, Mrs. Thierman served as superintendent of nurses at a large hospital in Galveston where she met husband, John, a signal corps photographer during the War. She is the mother of twin sons, David and Johny. She is now making her home with Johny in Covington, Kentucky.
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My Great Aunt GaGe
By
Marc Jones
Aunt GaGe is the only Saint I have ever known----the angel that sits on my right shoulder.
It was Christmas time in the late 1960’s –time to make our semi-annual trip from Albuquerque, NM to Brownwood. Last bathroom call before loading into the blue station wagon and heading to GaGe’s house!!! A 500-mile trip most people would consider a long journey, but not me.
Dad drove lickidy-split, it seemed like a 100 mph through the flat lands of New Mexico, the plains of Texas through Sweetwater to Brownwood where GaGe was always waiting with homemade cookies, cakes, or pies with warm hugs and a big smile.
GaGe’s house was some how better than home. I yearned to be there and to see my GaGe, that old warm house with the spooky back bedrooms that had down stuffed mattresses and pillows. Where we piled the old handmade quilts and afghans on us to keep warm and toasty. Or better yet, to sleep in the back room with GaGe.
In the morning I would waken to Guineas cackling, rosters crowing and the smell of breakfast cooking. We would eat bacon, little brown eggs from our own chickens, pancakes with peanut butter and syrup, or home made biscuits, gravy and home made jams from the plum or persimmon trees in the yard.
Then it was time to bundle up and go feed the chickens, ducks and cows with GaGe. She would call them up with a “sue-wee sue-wee” then call all the cows by name. The cows loved and trusted her as she did them. One of the bulls was named Jimmy after my Dad. Jimmy the bull was always knocking down fences.
Some years we would be lucky enough to there when a cow caved. Then it was hide and seek with the mama cow as we could look behind the pond or in the mesquite ticket to find the calf so we could carry it to GaGe’s special pen for new calves or injured cows.
I remember wanting her to visit us in Albuquerque so bad, but she seldom did. She was uncomfortable away from her farms animals and when she was out of her element. She would always say there was no one to take care of her animals, even though, there were plenty of people, like Mr. Bell who would be more than happy to do just about anything to help her. Mr. Bell was always there when she needed some extra work done.
Only once did GaGe say a harsh word to me. It was when I left a gate open, despite her always telling me to never leave a gate open when you have farms animals. The cows had gotten into the hay field she leased to the man down the road in exchange for winter hay and the occasional use of his bull. I once helped bale that hay for 4 cents a bale. It was the hardest work I had ever done, but I was doing it for GaGe and I loved every minute of it—well almost!!
One visit, some of the cows had gotten back in the pasture because the gate was left open (this time not by me) and GaGe said “damn”. I was petrified!! Never in all my life, not once, had I ever seen her mad or especially heard her say a bad word. She was quick to apologize when I promised her it had not been me who had left the gate open. GaGe never said a derogatory word toward me and she rarely scolded me except when I did something to make my little brother Jason cry.
When we got to town, Mom and Dad would go out to do whatever they did. As they left they would say they were going to “see a man about a horse”. That was the only thing that would shut me up. After they left I would ask GaGe about the horse until they got home or I fell asleep. I think it used to break her heart knowing how badly I wanted a horse and that there was never going to be one. I believe if it had been feasible she would have bought me one herself.
Later she explained to me how horses sometimes hurt cows and they ate the grass, root and all, which would not leave her cows anything to eat. After awhile, I think just knowing how much she loved those cows was enough to deter me from wanting a horse. Once, we did find a lost pony that we petted and rode for a day till we found the owner. We fed him sugar cubes and he got ornery. When the owner came to get the pony he explained it was the sugar that made him ornery.
GaGe loved animals and I loved to hunt—not a very good combination. I would hunt in the field behind the pond, but seldom would I let her now I had shot something for I knew how it upset her. Once I shot an old mud hen, which she actually cleaned and cooked for me. It was the worst thing I had ever tasted. I don’t know if it was the duck or the way it was cooked. I always wondered if she intentionally cooked it that way so I wouldn’t shoot them any more.
Once she gave me a book about two ducks and how one was shot by a hunter and the other one eventually died of a broken heart because ducks have one mate for life. That was the way she let you now how she felt. Not by scolding, harsh words or by criticizing, but in her own subtle way.
When she would take me to the movies, she always had a peanut patty for me. Once we saw Bambi, another subtle hint. To this day True Grit is one of my favorite movies. I don’t know if it is such a good movie or the fact that I saw it for the first time with my GaGe. I’m sure a little of both.
I remember going to GaGe’s retirement party when she retired after 45 years working for the City of Brownwood. There were so many people there and they seemed so sad to see her go.
After she retired from the City, I remember when my Dad and Uncle Bill gave her the new little red Dotson truck and how embarrassed and humbled she was. She loved that truck and drove it till she couldn’t drive anymore.
She never drove far because driving made her nervous. She would drive to church, the feed store, the beauty shop, the sale barn and to sit with the elderly all hours of night or day. When she drove she would sit straight up with both hands in a death grip at 9 and 3 on the wheel with her glasses on driving slowly and carefully to her destination.
I remember Mother taking her to Mary Jane’s sales at least once a year. She would complain about how she did not need anything or how she didn’t need to spend the money. Yet how giddy she would get over a pretty new dress or shoes for church. Mom would buy her new clothes because if she didn’t, GaGe would just go on wearing whatever she had even if it was looking worn out. She never seemed to need much. The simplest of things made her happy—like a new pair of rubber boots, a warm sweater or coat to wear when she fed the animals or one of the cotton gowns she wore to bed.
How wonderful not to need or want for anymore than she did and to be happy with what little she did have. She lived by the creed. “if you don’t have something good to say then don’t say anything at all.” Something I wish to would remember to live by.
When I think of Christmas I remember the seldom used front room at GaGe’s house with the big piano, the warm fireplace, the lighted Christmas tree. The excitement was so intense I could barely fall asleep thinking about the great things to come in the morning
Because I shared her interest in animals, GaGe gave me some calves. One of the caves was born premature and had a bad leg, which I think made me love it more because it was an underdog. Nonetheless the calf grew into a cow and had several calves that GaGe raised then took to the sale barn. She would give me the check. I always felt guilty accepting the money and I would give her part of it back for the feed.
GaGe was very wise. She didn’t let me know that she knew when I was doing something I shouldn’t such as experimenting with smoking behind the barn. She later sat me down, not to scold me, but to ask me if I knew how bad smoking was for me and what a bad habit it was.
She always knew if we had been harassing her cows. One time she said, “someone has been chucking my cows, which meant throwing rocks. I asked her how she knew this and she explained that she could tell because the rocks in the cow lot were moved or there were new rocks. That is how well she knew her cow lot and cows. After a cow had several calves, she would keep one and take the old cow to the sale barn. This always made her sad. I think she knew that old cow had given her plenty of good calves and she just didn’t feel right about getting rid of her.
I remember going to church, Johnson Memorial Methodist, down the street and to the church dinners and how good the food was –there was always plenty. There was fried chicken, pork chops, green bean casseroles, macaroni and cheese, mash potatoes and all types of desserts. She always seemed proud to take us with her and show us off to her friends. Church was a big part of her life. Yet she didn’t preach to us nor did she make us go. We went because we could tell how happy it made her.
That old church was always special and a big part of our lives because my Mom and Dad were married there and knowing how GaGe felt about the people. The church was small and simple, but I don’t recall a church that I have ever felt as comfortable in. I am sure she was there when the old church was built and probably had a hand in building it. The church eventually moved to Early—now First United Methodist of Early. It never felt the same and even though GaGe went every Sunday, I think she felt the same way. She would always give Mom the latest church list about who was sick and who to pray for. GaGe didn’t have much money and she seldom gave monetary gifts, but gave the rarest of gifts any human can give—the gift of her time, her care and love -- never complaining.
She stayed abreast of what was going on around her, not just locally but around the world. She was always reading the newspaper, the Readers Digest, newsletters from churches and spiritual groups and sometime she would read the “National Inquirer”.
She was amazingly in tune with what was happening with the youth around her. There wasn’t much that seemed to shake her. To my knowledge she never had any enemies. Everyone that knew her would smile at the mention of her name.
Today my brother, Jason, lives in that old farm house. It is comforting knowing that GaGe is somehow with him and looks after him.
This is the way she was to me and to this day whenever I have that old devil on my left should I always know she is on my right to help guide me in the right direction. I miss my GaGe and the time and knowledge she shared with me. I miss the touch of her soft skin and those brown spots on her hands and arms. I miss her never ending wave as we drove out of sight on our way home knowing she would miss us as badly as we would miss her until we would see her again.
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 GRONER PITTS – A BROWNWOOD LEGEND
August 21, 1924 - February 13, 2004
by Ann Jones
The following article was written about Groner while he was still alive and regrettably, not published until today. However, we’re sure Groner wouldn’t mind as we all know Groner was truly a “legend in his own time.”to anyone who loved and lived in Brownwood, Texas.
Yes, there really is a man named Groner Pitts and he called Brownwood his hometown. He is a retired owner and director of Davis Morris Funeral Home. He is the Godfather of the “Brownwood Mafia”, a group of men who do good things for Brownwood—well, that is a whole other story. For years U.S and Texas Senators and Representatives have enjoyed telling Groner Pitts stories. Groner has been the subject of numerous editorials in Texas metropolitan newspapers. Gene Street, the Dallas restaurant magnate and Brownwood native even named a beverage after him.
You are probably wondering how someone becomes a legend? If you asked the people of Brownwood, you will get many different answers. Sum them all up and you will hear statements like, an intense love for Brownwood, a love for adventure, a real character, never meets a stranger, a friend, a generous heart and pocket book and the ability to get things done.
Years ago, when you opened a car door with a push button on the door handle, Groner was directing a funeral at a country cemetery. A blue norther suddenly blew in and it was so bitterly cold, that the car door buttons froze during the burial. The son of the man being buried had forgotten his coat and was shivering in the freezing wind as he walked to the gravesite. Groner took off his warm winter coat and handed it to the man to wear. Groner never flinched or lost his wonderful smile as he carried out his duties in freezing wind that cut right through you.
How many dollars he has raised or donated to benefit Brownwood, no one knows. But Groner’s name is usually mentioned when folks talk about a project that needed money
and who helped make it happen. The Nation Guard even named their new armory in Brownwood the Groner Pitts National Guard Armory of Texas.
By his side for 50+ years has been his beautiful wife Johnny Beth, better known as J.B., who has a reputation as a gracious hostess, a talented decorator, a successful businesswoman who owned 4-Corners for 16 years and was a faculty member at Howard Payne University in the School of Business for 30 years.
Once when Groner and J.B. were hosting a kickoff, in their beautiful home, to prompt the Maine-Anjou cattle industry for a friend, Calvin Fryer, guests were amazed to see a 1,800 Maine-Anjou bull enter the party on red carpet to his place of honor on hay in the reading room.
and the Groner Pitts, Mr. Brownwood, stories go on. And, they will continue.
If there are others who want to share stories, please email.
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