Barbara Freeman Brown ’54

---

Barbara Freeman Brown ’54, whose degree in education led to a four-decade teaching career with the Los Angeles Unified School District, has passed away; a memorial service is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2023.

Barbara Suzanne Freeman was born May 19, 1932, to parents James and Gladys Freeman in Stockton, California. She was the baby sister to Janna Rose, Yvonne Lorraine, Gloria Berenice and brother James Pierre.

Brown attended local schools from elementary to high school in Stockton, where she grew up in a neighborhood of many ethnicities and made lifelong friends. She had a great childhood filled with memories of family time, birthdays and holidays filled with her mother’s great home cooked food.

After graduating from high school in 1950, she began studies at UCLA. As a freshman, according to a family-provided biography, Brown lived with her “Aunt Nita” because black students could not live on campus. She was quick to make friends with several acquaintances and their families in the Los Angeles area. It was the Griggs, Hardon, Miller, Shields, Watson and Blackburn families that resulted in lifelong relationships lasting more than 70 years.

In February 1953, Brown became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Gamma Chapter, on the campus of UCLA, which was the beginning of her 69 years of community service. She was in good company, as sorority sisters included The Honorable Diane Watson ’56 and The Honorable Yvonne Brathwaite Burke ’53.

College degree in hand, in 1954 Brown embarked on her teaching career with LAUSD, beginning at Trinity Elementary School and ending at the Westminster Computer Magnet School. As the magnet coordinator, she created one of the first computer labs in the district.

In 1958, while playing tennis at a community college, she was introduced to Jack Brown. After dating two years, they married on April 9, 1960, at the home of Aunt Nita. Memories of the wedding day, included her dress being made by her mother, being given away by her beloved stepfather “Uncle” Roy Boyden, an exquisite wedding cake made by her sister Yvonne and guests including many sorority sisters and close friends.

In April 1963, Barbara and Jack welcomed their only daughter, Cameron Elizabeth. The family moved into their first home and hosted family and friends during holidays and summer vacations. Mother and daughter stayed busy with carpools, slumber parties, Girl Scouts, picnics and play dates for years until Cameron went away to college. Road trips were a staple, especially to Stockton, California, for family visits. In later years, Barbara and Jack traveled domestically and abroad several times to France and the United Kingdom. They also cruised the high seas and took many trips with their friends the Paynes. Barbara and Jack thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company for 41 years until Jack passed away in 2001.

Brown was passionate about educating children. She taught summer school for many years and launched one of the first computer science programs in the district. As a professional educator, Brown worked full time and earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California in 1972. She went on to receive her administrative credentials and became a magnet coordinator until she retired. While in retirement, she went back to work part time as a trainer to new teachers in and around LAUSD.

According to their family, “Where you saw Barbara, you saw Cameron. They went everywhere together.” Their most memorable trips included visits to New Orleans, New York and Florida. They traveled to numerous conferences and conventions with Alpha Kappa Alpha. Barbara often traveled with Cameron when she travelled for business, taking her to states she never visited. She often spoke about her trip to Birmingham, Alabama, where she was able to visit various civil rights landmarks. Over the years, they attended many events, concerts, luncheons and fashion shows.

Brown never met anyone she considered a “stranger” and always made room for her daughter’s friends and classmates. She made them her extended family especially during the holidays. There was always room at the table. Over the years, she continually supported them in their lives and the lives of their families.

Brown served on many committees over the years with Theta Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She took pleasure in serving on the Scholarship Committee, Emerging Young Leaders, Library Day and Special Projects just to name a few. In addition to being active in the sorority, Brown stayed busy with many other organizations, including Jazzercise, The Gems, Ladera Seniors, The 50+ Club, Women on Target, The Opera League, Friendly Educators and Park Hills Community Church Deacons and Women’s Ministry. Many activities included trips, cruises and concerts at the Hollywood Bowl.

In her down time, Brown enjoyed reading, shopping, exercising, travelling and eating at various restaurants. She used her laptop and iPad daily to keep up with the latest books, news and even world affairs.

Brown was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents, James Freeman and Gladys Boyden; step father, LeRoy Boyden; and her siblings, Janna Rose, Gloria Berenice, Yvonne Lorraine and James Pierre.

She leaves to cherish her memories her only daughter, Cameron Elizabeth, and “Son in Love,” Reginald Sr.; their children, Anthony, Reginald Jr. and Jailah; grandchildren, Antonio and Aniyah; a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, great-great-nieces and -nephews and one great-great-great nephew.