March 11, 1944 – November 11, 2025
With heavy yet grateful hearts, we announce the passing of Betty Gaye Collier Brown of Friendswood, Texas. She crossed the river Jordan at age 81 on November 11, 2025 following a long illness. She was born to John and Pearl Collier in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Brown. She is survived by son, Michael K. Brown, and daughter, Carrie Brown Nabizadeh. Her grandson Joseph B. Brown and daughter-in-love Alaina, granddaughters, Sara E. Nabizadeh and Haley A. Nabizadeh, great-granddaughters, Eleanor, Abigail and Karina Brown who will all greatly miss their Maw Maw. She is also preceded in death by her parents, John A. Collier and Pearl Evans Collier and brother, Walter Collier.
Joe and Betty met in Galveston, where they were married in 1964. They subsequently moved to Huntsville, Texas, where Betty worked as a bank teller. In 1972, Betty started her 30-year long career at NASA where she supported many history-making events in the Apollo and Shuttle missions. In 1982, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Joe and Betty retired to Galveston where they bought and renovated several historic homes. They returned to the Friendswood area in 2003 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. It is at this time they joined The Harbor Church where they served as Bible study leaders and developed deep friendships with their small group.
Those who knew Betty will remember her for her deep-rooted faith in Jesus, her commitment to her family and how much she treasured her life-long friendships. She enjoyed gardening, listening to music, and watching the Astros and the Texans. She was a very talented artist and could paint anything, in any medium. She will be remembered for her big family dinners; complete with some sort of clever game she devised to encourage family bonding. She was sought out for her wisdom and provided advice with grace and understanding. She had a beautiful, sweet and gentle soul, and while we will miss her terribly, our hearts are full knowing she is reunited with her sweetheart and parents in heaven.
A small service will be at The Harbor Church, 2821 W. Parkwood Ave. Friendswood, Texas, 77546, Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. A small reception will follow.
2 thoughts on “Betty Gaye Collier Brown”
I worked with and absolutely loved Betty Brown at NASA on the Space Shuttle Program. She was a friend to all and one of the best. She will be missed tremendously…
Ms Betty was the most positive person with such a contagious smile! Every time I visited with her in Carrie’s home, she was always so sweet and precious no matter her health struggle. She was a joy to visit and I always left feeling inspired.
Hugs to you all.