Betty Sexton Brown

Memorial services for Betty Sexton Rieger Brown, 85, of Houston will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 11 A.M. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 345 Piney Point Road, Houston, Texas with The Reverend Stuart Bates officiating.

Betty was born on September 5, 1933 in Denton, North Carolina and died peacefully Saturday, June 29, 2019, at her home in the embrace of her children and surrounded by family and her priest who sang and prayed her into eternal life.

Betty faced death as she did each challenge or opportunity that came her way, with grace, elegance and indomitable courage.

Beauty in all of its forms inspired Betty. Whether it was a lovely fabric, a blooming flower or chirping bird, design in nature and in life spoke to her. From sewing costumes for her grandchildren to creating a welcoming home, Betty’s innate sense of style left a lasting impression.

From her rural North Carolina roots, she chose to create her own path. A graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Betty ventured to Washington, DC to start her career in education. That led to a courtship, marriage and a subsequent move to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she reared her four children. Betty joined the choir at St. James Episcopal Church, served as Treasurer of the Junior League of Baton Rouge and enjoyed tennis, flying, fashion and entertaining.

Her life in Houston began when she married longtime friend Dennison Robert Brown (Denny). Together they nurtured their ever-growing family and entertained their grandchildren at Camp Houston – their grandparent version of summer camp complete with plays, museums, sports outings and road trips.

As stalwart members of St. Francis Episcopal Church, Denny often referred to his ever-dedicated wife as “St. Betty of the Pines.” From the Assisi Choir, to the Altar Guild, the OWLS group and as Church office volunteers, their St. Francis community was their extended family. Bridge kept Betty sharp intellectually and engaged socially at The Forum where she fully lived her final years. A great conversationalist with a quick wit, Betty was a thoughtful companion and confidante. She regaled her neighbors with stories of her travels with family and friends.

Betty faced cancer three times and spent a season helping patients walk through the disease and treatment as a volunteer in the Head and Neck Department at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Her unwillingness to give in, give up or give out in times of medical crises inspired others to dig deep and fight a little harder to live. When faced with complete renal failure, her niece Amy Sexton Rowell, donated her Aunt Betty a kidney. This gift extended Betty’s life for nine years. A woman of great faith, Betty knew her destiny and did not fear death.

Betty is survived by her children Robert Lewis Rieger, Jr and his wife Shannan of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Sally Rieger Alvis and her husband Max from Lufkin, Texas, Ann Rieger Wolford and her husband Kent of The Woodlands, Texas, Mary Elizabeth Rieger (Mimi) of Washington, DC and her two step-sons Robert Leslie Brown and his wife Connie of Houston, Texas, and Alan Madden Brown and his wife Karon of Plano, Texas. Together, Betty and her late husband Dennison Robert Brown (Denny) had 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Betty is also survived by her sister Jean Sexton Foust of North Carolina. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Nannie and Daniel Moses Sexton, four brothers, a younger sister and the father of her children Robert Lewis Rieger, Sr. Betty was a beloved inspiration to not only her children but to her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Music was Betty’s love. In her honor and to further a ministry that fueled her passion, the family requests that in lieu of flowers that all donations be made to the Music and Fine Arts Ministry of St. Francis Episcopal Church – 345 Piney Point Drive, Houston, Texas 77024.

The family would love to welcome you and share Betty stories at a reception following the Celebration service in the Parish Hall of St. Francis.