Elaine was born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on September 28, 1940, to missionary parents, Rev. Murray Nelson Brown, and Rev. Marjorie May Brown. Elaine spent her early years in West Africa and was joined 10 years later by her brother, Murray Nelson Brown, Jr. Elaine shared the love that her parents had for the people of the countries where they ministered. She met and then married the father of her three daughters, Suzanne Elaine, Rosemarie, and Kathleen, in Ghana. Elaine, or “Mum” to the girls, instilled an appreciation of other cultures, art, fine food, music, and above all, the love of Jesus Christ.
Elaine worked for the Voice of America in Nigeria, as a legal secretary, a Disc Jockey, and finally, as an Executive Secretary and factory worker for General Electric. After seeing her girls through their education and beginning of their careers, she met and married Reginald Kief. When he passed away, she treasured the time she had taking care of her mother until her mother’s passing.
Elaine visited her mother’s Nebraska roots when she started talking to Donald Burry in August of 2003. Their talks led to visits that resulted in their marriage on November 1, 2003. Don treasured Elaine’s smile and their seven years together.
Elaine found the victory on August 22, 2010. The celebration of her life will take place at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, August 25th, at Maranatha Chapel.
Survivors include loving husband, Donald E. Burry; daughters Suzanne Elaine Weisskopf-Biggs, Rosemarie W. Kemp and husband, William, Kathleen Weisskopf; brother Rev. Murray N. Brown, Jr., and wife Karla; granddaughter Hannah Elaine Weisskopf-Biggs; two nephews and a niece; Don’s children and grandchildren; and many treasured friends.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn South Funeral Home.