Neighbor of the Week: Etta Brown

Etta Brown has called Riverside home since 1956, and in the nearly seven decades since, she has rarely stopped working to make it better. She arrived from Louisiana with her husband, Jesse, an Air Force serviceman stationed at March Air Force Base, and their family settled first in Casa Blanca before purchasing a home on Vasquez Place on the Eastside in 1957 — a home she still owns and lives in today. She joined Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine shortly after arriving and has never left, singing in the choir and volunteering for years at La Grande Fiesta Ranchera. Now 94, she is one of the longest-serving and most decorated community servants in the city's history.

Etta's civic record spans an extraordinary range. She served on the Sheriff's Oversight Committee, the Park and Recreation Committee, Bordwell Park Seniors, the Bordwell Park Advisory Council, Neighbor Partnership East Side, and the MLK Seniors. She participated in the Scholarship Committee, Bingo Committee, Bus Trips and outings, and the Women's Auxiliary. Through People Reaching Out, she collaborated with community members on state-sponsored health programs focused on smoking cessation, breast cancer awareness, and hypertension control — and went further by developing church-driven hypertension programs of her own.

After Jesse's passing, Etta became a charter member of the Society of Military Widows, an organization founded in 1968 to advocate for women whose husbands served their country. She has held every leadership position in her chapter and sat on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS). Even now, she organizes monthly brunches and plans activities to keep the women connected and encouraged. For Etta, service has never been a season of life — it is simply how she lives.

What does Riverside mean to you? What does Riverside mean to me? It's my home. My husband, Jesse, was in the military and stationed at March Air Force Base. My husband and I along with my mother, two children first moved to Casa Blanca. We then moved to the Eastside and bought our home on Vasquez Place in 1957 where I still own and live. I joined Our Lady of Guadalupe where I continue to be. Riverside is home.

What is your Mt. Rubidoux summit count (estimated)? I went twice for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

What is your favorite restaurant outside of Downtown or Magnolia Center? Habanero Grill because the food is good and I used it for several important occasions.

What is the most beautiful building in Riverside? It's between The Superior Court House and the building where the county workers meet, but I don't remember the name.

What is your favorite Riverside small business? Bauman's. Now it's Ace Hardware. It's in my neighborhood and I can get what I need.

What is your favorite Riverside non-profit organization? Feeddemkids. Mauryce Kennon is the founder. I like it because they help underprivileged families.

The Festival of Lights: Every year on opening night or maybe on a Tuesday? Any night after all the ceremonies. I would go during the week when it's quieter and less people; not all on the same night.

What is your go-to sandwich in town? D'Elia's ham grinder.

What is your idea of a perfect weekend day in Riverside? 80 degrees with a peaceful day with absolutely nothing to do — no chores, no errands, no cares.

What is your favorite spot for a date night? My date nights are gone. I usually have dates in the day — at the casino!

Do you call it the Galleria or Tyler Mall? Tyler Mall.

What is one place in Riverside you would bring back if you could? The women's dress shops like Catherine's and The Avenue are stores I would bring back for mature women's clothing selections.

If you could put one message on a billboard on the 91, what would it be? Be thankful for everything because life could be worse. Think about it!

Finally, tell us what you're working on right now and how our readers can support your efforts. I'm just praying for people to have peace. I would like people to join me in prayer to have peace in your heart — to be at peace with yourself. Then, we can have world peace.

Neighbor of the Week is our way of celebrating the hidden heroes of Riverside—those who go above and beyond to make our community stronger, kinder, and more vibrant. We believe every remarkable Riversider deserves their story told. Know someone who’s making a difference? Nominate a Neighbor of the Week