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A short family history originally collected for the book "The History of North Richland Hills: Where Families Live, Work, Worship, and Play."
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Burney Calloway Brown was born September 9, 1902, in Smithfield, Texas. He was the son of Louia B. Brown and Halice Calloway Hightower Brown. Burney helped his father and four brothers in the cattle business. They bred and raised purebred livestock and exhibited their Shorthorn cattle at Fort Worth's Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show. In 1925, Burney married Louise Quayle, born January 21, 1907, daughter of Macon F. Quayle and Mittie Belle Mitchell Quayle of Smithfield, Texas. Both Burney and Louise married under a tree in Weatherford, Texas, rather than at home as was the custom of the time. They made their home in the Riverside section of Fort Worth when first married, but later moved back to Smithfield where they lived with Burney's parents. Three daughters were born to this union. Joanne died as an infant on December 10, 1932. Shirley Louise was born August 14, 1935, and Linda Kay was born July 12, 1944. The Browns were members of Smithfield Methodist Church, and both were active in the Smithfield community. Burney raised cattle and farmed the homeplace until 1946 when he bought 60 acres on a hill east of Davis Boulevard on Shirley Drive, south of Newman Drive. They built a new home, and Burney went into the dairy business there. At this time, Shirley was 11 years old and Linda Kay was 18 months. After several years, Burney developed a serious and disabling illness, and the Browns traded their farm for a home in Haltom City owned by Early and Ada Newman. The Newmans would one day become Shirley's in-laws. At this time, Shirley was in high school at Amon Carter Riverside, and Linda Kay was in first grade at Smithfield Elementary. To prevent Linda Kay from being moved from familiar surroundings, her mother drove her to Smithfield from Haltom City each day to attend school. After two years in Haltom City, however, the Browns realized they belonged in Smithfield and moved back. They built a home at the corner of Lewis Land and Newman Drive. By this time, Burney was working for Tarrant Count's Precinct 3 for County Commissioner Jess Holder and later for Commissioner Dick. Louise was a homemaker and a salesperson for Jackson's and for R. E. Cox Department Store in Fort Worth. She was an accomplished seamstress. Louise was also a Tarrant County Election Judge in Smithfield, following in the steps of her father, M. F. Quayle. She was very active in the school, serving as PTA President, and in the church as President of the United Methodist Women. Burney died on April 23, 1973. Louise died on August 17, 1979. Both are buried in the family plot in Smithfield Cemetery.
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