Horn Lake’s first mayor Winn Brown dies at 97
Moved to DeSoto for marriage, found home
Winn Brown was a native Kentuckian who became the son that his future wife’s father never had.
“My father felt deprived,” Annie Ruth Brown says now with a chuckle. “He only had daughters. But he kept after Winn until he moved here, and then my father was satisfied.”
In the process, Horn Lake got an adopted resident who would grow to consider the DeSoto County community his own. Ultimately, when the city incorporated in 1973, Mr. Brown became its first mayor.
Mr. Brown, who moved to Annie Ruth’s hometown to marry her 70 years ago at the end of World War II, died March 23 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto. He was 97.
After Winn and Annie Ruth married in 1945, Mr. Brown went on to help establish Brown & Stevens I nsu ra nce Co. , which eventually became today’s South Group. He also helped found the Horn Lake Fire Department.
“It’s just impossible to list all his accomplishments,” current Mayor Allen Latimer said. “He was a true Christian gentleman who was always happy to see you. He was just such an asset.”
A native of Bowling Green, Ky., Mr. Brown and his future wife met at a church conference. He came to Horn Lake via Memphis to meet Annie Ruth’s family before returning to Kentucky, but eventually came back to Horn Lake for good after the couple lived in Nashville for a time.
When Horn Lake became a city in 1973, Mr. Brown assumed the role of mayor of the new mu- nicipality and served one term.
Today, the city’s annual Veterans Day Breakfast is named in Mr. Brown’s honor.
Annie Ruth Brown said her late husband was impressed with the city’s growth in the 42 years since he became mayor.
“He always felt so attached to this city,” she said. In addition to his wife, Mr. Brown leaves three children, Winn Brown Jr., Ann Brown Ashcraft and William A. Brown; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.