Betty Jane Brown

Betty Jane Brown passed peacefully at her home in Boulder Creek on December 19, 2025.

Betty was born on April 21, 1935, in Aliceville, Alabama to her parents Leland Denter and Ruby Christine Gilliam. She moved to Watsonville with her family when she was 11 years old.

Betty was known best for her love of the Lord and served Him at Landmark Missionary Baptist Churches in Freedom, and Grass Valley, CA and most recently at Bayside Baptist Church in Santa Cruz, where she served as Church Pianist, Clerk, Sunday School Teacher, Children’s Ministry Leader, and Women’s Ministry Leader. She also loved to bake pies and was known for her gift of hospitality to others. She had worked for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for 10 years when she retired.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Ruby and Leland, her husband Billy R. Brown and son Thomas Brown. She is survived by her father Leland, her siblings Ilene Taylor and Harvey Gilliam and her children Ken Brown, Jennifer Brown, and Jeff Brown. Betty was also blessed with 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for Betty on Thursday, January 8, 2025, at Ave Maria Memorial Chapel from 4-6PM. A Graveside service will take place the following day Friday, January 9, 2025, at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park at 11AM, followed by a Memorial service at Noon at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Freedom, Ca.