Mom and Dad’s “Spirit of Giving” Lives on through a New Fund

Though Paul and Anner Ruth Brown had limited formal schooling, each leaving school around the fifth grade to support their families, they were abundant in wisdom, strength, and love. Married in 1942, they raised six children: three girls and three boys. Paul worked at General Motors for 30 years, and Anner Ruth began as an apple grader at Grobe’s Farm, later dedicating most of her life to domestic work.

The Browns were a cornerstone of their community. Paul tended a bountiful garden, and Anner Ruth transformed their harvest into nourishing meals for the family, canning and freezing the surplus with care. They generously shared their bounty with friends and neighbors in need. It was not uncommon for guests going through hard times to find a place to stay under their roof.

With a clear vision for his family’s future, Paul bought, repaired, and managed several rental properties, hoping to leave each of his six children a home in their name. This became the legacy he built with his own hands. When he bought his first property, he couldn’t read or write and signed his name with an X. Though the family had little, they used their crops to barter for what they needed. Paul traded his skilled labor for repairs on his properties or tutoring for his children.

While all the children were tall enough to play on the basketball team, their dedicated parents emphasized that education came first. As their daughter Sharon put it, “sports weren’t even an option unless we could maintain a B average.” All six children went on to earn bachelor’s degrees and build accomplished careers in education, entrepreneurship, and business. Paul passed away in 1991 at the age of 70. Anner Ruth passed away in 2023 at the age of 96.

The Paul and Anner Ruth Brown Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation of Lorain County was established as a tribute to their parents’ selfless generosity toward their neighbors and their unwavering commitment to the education of each of their six children, regardless of means. The Fund is part of the African American Community Fund, with distributions supporting grants made by that committee. Its primary focus is on advancing education programs and increasing access to locally grown foods, continuing the Browns’ legacy of nurturing their community and fostering opportunity for all.