Photos: Light Up the Night

Jim Haase joined the Lions Club at the invitation of Brown. Riding in the back of a truck together during last year’s Christmas parade in Stokesdale, Kerstin said Brown spent more time “waving at people than throwing candy because she knew everybody.”

During last year’s Light Up the Night festivities in Oak Ridge Town Park, Brown rode in a golf cart driven by Patti Dmuchowski, who organized the event as chair of the Special Events Committee. The driver recalled that Brown seemed to know “every single person who was there. She was so funny and so full of life.”

Council members also shared memories of Brown.

“We are all richer for having known her,” said George McClellan, explaining Brown was one of the first people he met when he moved to Oak Ridge.

“She was truly the heart of Oak Ridge,” he said. “She is going to be missed. On the other hand, we in this room are her legacy. We’ll make the most of it.”

Jim Kinneman said he couldn’t recall Brown ever being angry.

“Her sense of humor was amazing,” he said. “She could always make you laugh. She always loved smiling.”

Martha Pittman described Brown as “a role model…who had just the right mix of graciousness and spunk to get you through just about anything that life is going to throw at you.”

Spencer Sullivan said he and his wife, Linda, knew Brown for more than 40 years, meeting her initially when she served as the elementary school’s secretary.

“She loved all of the kids,” he said. “And they loved her.”

“I know we call her the ‘Queen of Oak Ridge,’” Sullivan said. “But for a good number of years, she was the town mom, too.”

Sullivan said he was humbled and honored that Brown had requested he sing at her funeral service.

Mayor Ann Schneider read remarks offered by Patti Stokes, publisher and editor of the Northwest Observer and Lions Club treasurer.

“Carolyn Brown had so many qualities that I loved,” Stokes wrote. “But just a few of my favorites were that she was very kind, down to earth and very classy. I honestly don’t think she realized how special she was. (That) was another wonderful quality – her humbleness.

“Carolyn lived a life of wealth, but not the kind measured in dollars,” Stokes continued. “Hers was filled with the love of family, friends, music, laughter and giving to others, always with God at the center. Until the day she died, she was never a burden to anyone and always a blessing to everyone.”

Brown’s death “marks the end of an era” for Oak Ridge, Schneider said. Among the mayor’s favorite memories was singing on Brown’s front porch with other friends and family, accompanied by Brown playing the ukulele.

“My heart will stay on that porch and Ms. Carolyn, I know, will stay in all of our hearts, always,” Schneider said.

Sean Taylor, Oak Ridge’s planning director, ended the tribute to Brown by singing “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” one of her favorite hymns.

Saturday, Dec. 3 Light Up theNight

Oak Ridge Town Park Oak Ridge Town Park

What started out as a rainy morning turned into a wonderful Light Up the Night event in Oak Ridge on Dec. 3. Folks were able to enjoy a Grinch hayride, magic tricks, performances by Destination Arts students, seasonal music, craft vendors and food trucks, free hot chocolate and family photos provided by the Summit Church-Oak Ridge, and Santa arriving on the antique Oak Ridge fire truck. The highlight of the night was the lighting of the Christmas tree and over 1,300 luminaries which were painstakingly placed along the park’s walkways by a wonderful group of volunteers – and at the very end of the evening, a spectacular fireworks show. The Special Events Committee looks forward to an even bigger and better Light Up the Night event next year. Patti Dmuchowski, chair Oak Ridge Special Events Committee

Evelyn Brown (right), 3, and her sister, Nora Kate, 6 months, of

Photos by Patti Stokes/NWO

northwest Greensboro shared their wish list with Santa. Oak Ridge Elementary students performed several songs at the site of the Christmas tree before the tree and luminaries were lit at dusk. Santa got an unexpected show of appreciation from two fans, Alison Huber of Stokesdale (left) and Amy Carrickhoff of Oak Ridge.

Volunteers with the Summit Church-Oak Ridge stand ready to serve attendees hot chocolate, compliments of the church. The church also offered complimentary family photos taken against a Christmas backdrop.