Life Story

Thank you for viewing this site and sharing with us a celebration of Abby’s life.

Abigail Renae Brown 

March 2, 2000 - February 7, 2026

She was marked from birth with an indelible spirit, zest for life, courage, determination, and strength that would manifest itself throughout her all to short life. Her fearless, boundless life’s journey made this world a much better place because she was in it.

Born to David and Renee on March 2, 2000, a small birthmark portended the courage, strength, determination, and fearlessness that she would develop to aid her in life’s journey. As these attributes grew, the mark faded; it was as if she was being prepared to meet life’s challenges; allowing her to live fully, love faithfully, move forward fearlessly, and share herself unconditionally. 

Abby saw the world differently; it wasn’t filtered, it was raw, simply as it was, to be explored and experienced, all of which encouraged her passion of many things; her love of animals, her love for her mother and father, her sister, her faith, her sports, and above all her children, Grant and Zoey.

She loved horses. Her bedroom was a full collection of horses of all types, colour, and sizes. She loved them so much, that for Halloween, she would request a costume with a horse; not a Cinderella dress, not a super hero, just her beloved horses. Her courage and strength would emanate from what all her horses represented; the fearlessness, raw and majestic power, and beauty. While horses were special, she loved all animals far and wide, even holding and snuggling a Koala in Australia, an Iguana in Central America, but it was Teddy Bear, her canine companion, that commanded her unconditional love. He listened, he calmed, and he gave to her unconditional love in return. Teddy is still with us, just as Abby’s memory and spirit surrounds and comforts us.  Abby’s heart and soul knew no bounds, just as she loved animals, she loved her family even more.

Like her mother, Renee, she knew no stranger. whether it was in the jungles of Central America, or on the continent of Australia, or simply in her home town, that easy, full smile, would oblige a conversation, encourage a hello, and invite you into her world.  Though, there was another smile, a beguiling Mona Lisa smile — lips together, a grin almost, together with eyes casting a side glance, holding the viewers’ attention — that reflected her curiosity and illuminating awareness of the world around her. Like her father, David, when she was determined, she could sell the world the Brooklyn Bridge. She got her strength and resilience from her father and mother. In the last few months of her life, she shared the love she had for her parents, she knew the sacrifices they had made for her and her children. She understood a parent’s unconditional love.   

Her best friend was her sister, Aubrianna. Aubri was three years old when Abby was born, the big sister who would stay close throughout her short life. They shared, they fought, they loved, they trusted, they held each other in difficult times. Abby was so overjoyed when she became an aunt to her nephew Jay’ston, and later to her niece Aniya, both of whom she loved so dearly. She was there throughout Aubri’s daughter’s cancer treatment, and through their unbreakable bond, Aubri was there when Abby needed a lifeline of support and encouragement. They shared in each other’s challenges and successes. They loved unconditionally.

Abby had much more family that was beloved, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, friends—like family— that loved her, sustained her, prayed for her, and cherished her. They all have shared in her life’s journey and will sustain her spirit and memory.

It was that unwavering spirit of hers that was evident in Bible study and on Mission trips. She was a born-again Christian and her Lord used her special skills and attributes in many ways. Her fearlessness and faith were portrayed when she, the younger sister, held out her hand and compelled Aubri to join in Bible study. Don’t be scared, she would say; it’s OK. No one could have refused that smile, that look of trust, that confidence that everything would be just fine. Her passion for service extended to mission trips to Central America. Her smile, her boundless energy, her love of children, her faith and belief, helped her share God’s word. The children would surround her, amazed not only by her energetic spirit, but because of the light that radiated from within her as bright as her flowing flaxen hair, a rarity among the indigenous people. Abby, a beautiful body and spirit, changed lives on these mission trips, and those she touched will keep her spirit alive. Our world is better because she was in it.

Abby’s passion and spirit extended to sports. She, born under the water sign Pisces, loved to swim. From the pools of her mom and dad, she would choose water over any other sport. To see her dive into the water was like watching a picture of a majestic sailfish arching high and flying above the water and then returning to the depths with no splash. Watching her swim was as watching dolphins moving fluidly, swiftly, and gracefully through the water; then at last, emerging from the water with that joyful sound and happiness. She embraced competitive swimming on the Hopkins Central High School swim team and earned many accolades. She would share this love with many children, teaching them how to swim, how to be safe in the water. Water was a refuge and she became a lifeguard watching over it all. Once again, she made the world a better and safer place by being here. Abby would enjoy other sports, track and field, and other hobbies and passions, but none would ever compare to swimming. 

Abby was creative. As a child she would create intriguing, beautiful, exploratory dioramas for school. She won praise for the way she saw the world, simply as it was. Her creativity extended to sewing, crafts and other hobbies that, together, helped her grow in confidence as she challenged herself. Yet, her greatest passion was yet to come.

Abby graduated from Hopkins Central High School with honors and many earned college credits. She attended Madisonville Community College and Henderson Community College. Many changes and challenges in her life would put her educational dreams of becoming a nurse on hold.

No life is perfect, and growth is a process where all face challenges and changes as life’s journey unfolds. How you respond to those challenges shows your character and determines what happens next. Abby had her challenges in life, from cars and phones, to the trials of finding the person she wanted to be and her place in this world, but the most significant change and challenge would be motherhood, her greatest passion. Abby welcomed Grant, and later Zoey, into her life. As she navigated the challenges of motherhood and her own health, she was resolute in her love and dedication to them. Nothing would ever hurt or take away her children; they had an indelible bond that could not be broken and will never end as she, in spirit, is with them eternally. Mustering the spirit of her beloved horses, she had the courage, strength, determination, and fearless will to gather her children and dare to start a life of love, safety, caring, and family. All things began to be possible again, Grant and Zoey met new friends and family, Abby graduated from Madisonville Community College with an Associate of Science degree, birthdays were celebrated, holidays with family, all possibilities and dreams considered and explored. Job 39:19-25 encapsulates the strength, courage, fearlessness, and will that it took for her to move and secure her children while the grace of God watched over them.

“Do you give the horse its strength, or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?

Do you make it leap like a locust,  striking terror with its proud snorting?

It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength,  and charges into the fray.

It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing;  it does not shy away from the sword.

The quiver rattles against its side,  along with the flashing spear and lance.

In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground;  it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds.

At the blast of the trumpet it snorts, ‘Aha!’

It catches the scent of battle from afar,  the shout of commanders and the battle cry.”

Character is determined by what you do. We are better because she was here!!!

The rose, her favorite flower, with its wafting, sweet, captivating essence rises as a spirit. Each aromatic, velvet petal will forever be a remembrance of her mark on her children, Grant and Zoey, on her parents, on her sister, and all others who saw and shared in her light. As each rose bud everywhere opens and releases its sweet, comforting fragrance, her unbridled spirit will soar and cover us all for eternity.