Biography: Royce Oneva Brown died January 28 at the age of 70 years from Alzheimer’s Disease. Royce was born July 16, 1954 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was a graduate of The University of Tulsa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Even though her formal education was in business, she was a musician at heart who blessed many with her gifts as a pianist, organist, and soloist. Royce married Ray Brown in 1979 in Tulsa. She and Ray spent over 45 years ministering in Disciples of Christ and Episcopal Churches in Michigan, Louisiana and Arkansas. She spent much of her professional career working in banking and mortgage lending.  Royce was particularly proud of her work as the Manager of the First Time Homebuyer Program for the State of Arkansas.

Even though she enjoyed her career in business, Royce’s greatest joy was being a wife, mother, and follower of Jesus Christ. She had an unwavering commitment to and love for her sons Todd and Tyler and considered them to be her life’s greatest accomplishment. She took the same joy in her grandchildren Hayden, Taylor and Riley and in her great-grandson Samuel. In addition to her music, Royce enjoyed cooking for family and friends, traveling with Ray and volunteering in the churches Ray served.

In addition to her husband, Royce is survived by her sons Todd (Jackie), Tyler, and grandchildren Hayden (Madison), Taylor, Riley and great-grandson Samuel, brothers Bob (Mary) Bales of Tulsa, Richard Bales of Tulsa, her beloved aunt Mary Sue Freeman of Wichita, Kansas, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation 9:30-10:15 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 6^th and Scott Streets in Little Rock. Memorial donations may be made to St. Nicholas’ Episcopal Church in Maumelle, Arkansas, Alzheimer’s Arkansas or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com