Christine E. Brown

CASA BLANCA - Christine Eleanor Brown, 91, of Laveen died Sept. 14, 2008 at Gila River Indian Care Center.


Visitation will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the District 5 Elderly Center. The graveside service will be at 7 a.m. Saturday in Vah-ki Cemetery, with Pastor Aaron Johns officiating.

Mrs. Brown was born Oct. 28, 1916 in Wet Camp and was a daughter of Joe Lewis and Nannie Howard. She grew up in that community in District 5 of the Gila River Indian Community.

She always gave encouragement to new generations of the Akimel O'odham and Pee-Posh peoples. She volunteered and served on committees and boards, including those for health, the Model Cities program and Gila River Career Center. She was a producer for Gila River News, a fair commissioner, school board member and founding board member of the Miss Gila River Pageant. She remained active on the resident advisory board for Gila River Indian Care Center in District 7.

Survivors include three daughters, Cheryl Johns of Queen Creek, Jacqueline Boni of Maricopa and Patrice Miller of Arizona City; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Billy, Raymond, Daniel, Tillman and Oscar Lewis Sr., and two sisters, Evelyn Enos and Amanda Lewis.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.