Anita Ann (McRobbie) Brown

Anita Ann Brown, of Columbia, Kentucky, passed away at Russell County Hospital on Saturday, April 19, 2025. She was 70 years of age.

Born March 2, 1955, in Rochester, New York, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Nancy (Visconte) McRobbie. Anita was an avid equestrian throughout her entire life. She was a barrel racer and equestrian drill team member in her younger years. She especially enjoyed riding her horses in parades, which she did in several capacities, including as DAV Auxiliary New York State Commander. Anita became a certified equine chiropractor and operated Caring Hands Equine Chiropractic here in Kentucky. She also owned Break AWAY Ranch with her husband, Mike, where she gave barrel racing lessons and trained horses. Anita was also a licensed cosmetologist in Rochester, New York, and enjoyed the friendship of her many clients for 53 years. Along with her love of horses, she enjoyed driving a school bus and the hundreds of students she cared for over the years. She made a career of driving a school bus for over 50 years, and she loved every minute of it. She was a bus driver and an employee of the Russell County Board of Education at the time of her passing. Anita was of Roman Catholic faith. Her life was a whirlwind of busyness and accomplishments, and she will be dearly missed by her family and friends, whom she has left behind.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Brown, of Columbia; a son, Scott Tears, of Columbia; two daughters, Stacey (and Stephen) Cudzilo, of Hilton, New York, and Shelly (and Frank) Coleman, of Victor, New York; a brother, Vernon McRobbie, of Rochester, New York; and seven grandchildren, Nathen Tears, Matthew Cudzilo, Jonathan Cudzilo, Cindel Tears, Henry Tears, Mary Coleman and Claire Coleman.

In addition to her parents, Anita was predeceased by a brother, Wayne McRobbie.

Per Anita’s wishes, cremation rites were honored. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 PM CST Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Bernard Funeral Home.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM and continue until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests and would appreciate donations to the funeral home to offset the cost of Anita’s service.

Arrangements for Mrs. Anita Brown have been entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home. 

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