May Bell Brown

May Bell Brown, 95, of Odessa peacefully went to be with Jesus on Friday, October 31, 2025.

May Bell was born on June 15, 1930 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Carrie Mae and Bill Swinney. She was raised and educated there alongside her older brother, Alvah, with whom she shared a very close bond. During her high school years, she helped her mother run the family business, the Royal Cafe. After high school, she attended a business college in Jackson, Mississippi and became a legal secretary. Afterwards, she returned to Brookhaven, where she worked for a well-known law firm.

On June 24, 1951, May Bell married the love of her life, James Archie Brown. They moved to Snyder, Texas and then to Hobbs, New Mexico before settling in Odessa, Texas in 1965. They had three children, Martha, Jim, and John. May Bell and Archie continued their careers for many years making the drive each day to Midland, Texas where she worked as a secretary for Ortloff and Archie as the division accountant for Halliburton. They joined Asbury Church in 1965 and were lifelong members serving in various roles throughout their lives.

May Bell is preceded in death by her father, Bill Swinney; her mother, Carrie Mae Swinney; her brother, Alvah Swinney; and her son, John Murray Brown. Her husband, Archie, has also been waiting for her in Heaven since his passing in 2012.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Stoute and husband Barry of Odessa, TX; her son, Jim Brown and wife Julie of Odessa, TX; and her daughter-in-law, Melinda Brown-Haynes and husband Morse of Midland, TX.

Grandma is also survived by her 13 grandchildren: Shane Chamlee and wife Jace of San Antonio, TX; Melissa Pruitt of Tyler, TX; Brit Chamlee and partner Laura of Flint, TX; Christopher Chamlee and wife Brittney of Odessa, TX; Jenica Maroney and husband Justin of Tolar, TX; Julie Davidson and husband Garrett of San Angelo, TX; Tiffany Tubb and husband Joey of Magnolia, TX; Jason Stoute of Odessa TX; Alisha Brown of Ft. Worth, TX; Amy Harper and husband Bryce of Odessa, TX; Janae Beauchamp and husband Daniel of China Springs, TX; Morgan Lynch and husband Cyle of Grandfalls, TX; and Chad Matlock and wife Kenessa of Harper, TX.

In addition, Grandma will be forever missed by her 28 great grandchildren, 8 great-great grandchildren and many granddogs.

May Bell was loved by a multitude of nieces and nephews. She had exceptionally close bonds with 7 of her nieces: Judy Pyeatt, Debbie Carter, Kay Dixon, and Christy Moak and their families of Bogue Chitto, MS; Terri Middleton and family of Hobbs, NM; and

Linda Carlisle and family of Baird, TX.

May Bell lived out her final few years in San Angelo, Texas and was lovingly cared for by the staff of Baycrest Senior Living and her granddaughter, Julie. Our family would like to sincerely thank the staff members of Baycrest for the dedication and phenomenal care you provided to May Bell over the past four years. To Christian, May Bell’s favorite caretaker, thank you for treating May Bell as family. She loved you very much. We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nichole and staff of Concho Hearts Hospice of San Angelo for the beautiful way you loved and supported May Bell in her last days here with us.

To our Julie, the Bible calls each of us to be a “good and faithful servant.” It was you who knew that San Angelo would be the right place for Grandma in her final years. You took such special care of her, giving your time and your energy, while creating special moments along the way. Your beautiful pictures and videos kept our family updated, and we will cherish those always. Grandma had everything she needed…including the absolute best collection of Hey Dude shoes. We are forever grateful! You truly are a “good and faithful servant” to whom our Lord will most certainly one day say, “well done.”

May Bell “Grandma” Brown lived a full and beautiful life. She was a loyal friend to those who knew her and always looked for the good in people. She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt to those who were blessed to call her theirs. But most importantly, she was an amazing human who reminded us always to be kind to each other. She will be forever missed here on earth, but we know she is rejoicing now in the arms of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in May Bell’s name to Asbury Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice.

Pall bearers include Shane Chamlee, Chris Chamlee, Riley Chamlee, Jason Stoute, Mason Chamlee and Garrett Davidson, and honorary pall bearer Justin Maroney.

A service to celebrate May Bell’s life will be held at Asbury Methodist Church on Saturday, November 15th at 2:00 pm. The church is located at 4001 E. University Blvd in Odessa, TX. Pastor Daniel Armstrong along with Jen Maroney will lead the service. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.