July 17, 1914 - July 26, 2022
The family of Erma Brown is saddened to share
news of her passing on July 26, 2022, at the
age of 108 years and 9 days. Erma was born
on July 17, 1914, at Purple Springs in southern
Alberta. She was a fighter from the beginning,
weighing in at a mere 3 pounds at birth!
Erma is predeceased by her first husband,
Dal Culbert and her second husband, Ken
Brown. She is survived by her son, Bob Culbert
and her daughter, Mary Andrews. She has
5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and
3 great-great grandsons.
In her early years, she lived on a homestead
in southern Alberta before the family moved to
Michel, British Columbia. Following that, she
lived in Okotoks for a time and spoke of the
“silk trains” that went through town. They came
from Vancouver on their way down east to the
factories that produced silk fashions.
Erma moved to Black Diamond in 1929 and
attended school there. She later found work
in an office in town before marrying Dal and
having Bob and Mary.
Erma was proud of her work in the Black Diamond
area. She served as Secretary-Treasurer for the
town and was also instrumental in bringing
the Glen Mead Lodge as well as the Oilfields
Hospital to fruition. She was also responsible
for the “Black Diamond” that you see on display
near the town office.
Erma was a staunch supporter of the town and
always spoke highly of the people and their
good, old-fashioned work ethic. She was very
proud of our western heritage. She also loved to
garden, tend to her budgies, and watch the deer
in her back yard.
Her family was always of the utmost importance
to Erma. Even in her last days, she spoke often
of, and with great love for, her entire family.
She could always be counted on for words of
comfort and wisdom.
Her family will miss her dearly - but is comforted
by the fact that her suffering is at and end.
At Erma’s request, no funeral will be held.
For those who wish to attend, there will be a
graveside gathering on August 3 at 2 pm at the
Black Diamond Cemetery.
