Nancy Howard "Nan" Brown

Nancy Howard "Nan" Brown

Tallahassee - Nancy Howard "Nan" Brown,82, beloved spouse of Robert C. Brown, passed peacefully on February 28, 2021 after a ten-year battle against Alzheimer's Disease.

Nan was born in Alexandria, VA to Geraldine Carlton and Elwood Carlton. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School where she met her future husband Robert, and where she was Editor of the school newspaper, The EmVee Hi. Nan graduated from Lynchburg College where she met and married Roy Allen of Bartow FL. They moved to Tallahassee in 1960.

Nan was the first female professional in the Department of Community Affairs and was appointed by Governor Bob Graham as the first female Bureau Chief in the Department. Leaving state employment in 1987 after 15 years, Nan founded her own company, Rural Resources, that focused on searching out public monies for rural infrastructure projects. She became known throughout the Southeast as the "go-to"person for finding funding for such projects, which varied from wastewater treatment facilities to a used fire truck for a small Georgia town.

Nan was a champion of the rural poor in Florida and was a long-time state representative and board member of the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project. She investigated potential contamination between wells and septic systems for rural Florida residents and published a report entitled "The Hidden Florida" that was featured on "CBS Sunday Morning With Charles Kuralt" and led to legislation to improve rural plumbing.

Nan's home was always a cozy, welcoming place of good food, laughter, conversation, and the company of much loved cats and dogs. She was a superb chef who loved making exotic French and Chinese dishes for her nearest and dearest. She was a world class shopper and made Christmas a special time with perfect gift selections for far flung friends and family. She was always beautiful inside and out.

Nan is survived by her husband Robert C. Brown, sons Barry Carlton Allen (Melinda) and Michael Scott Allen (Wendy), grandchildren Bonne (Matt) and Danny (Krista), three great-grandchildren, her Alexandria cousin Walter Carlton, and her dear friend and surrogate daughter, Susan Gray.

The Neptune Society is in charge of arrangements. There will be no funeral service but, in accordance with Nan's wishes, friends will gather at a future date at one of her favorite places on earth, the beach at St. George Island, to spread her ashes on the Gulf of Mexico.

Contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Project, Inc., 301 E. Tharpe St., Tallahassee Fl 32303 or to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308.