LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A prolific Louisville entrepreneur died at the age of 84.
Eleanor Durall Brown-Moore died on Saturday after her fourth and final battle to cancer, according to an obituary. Brown-Moore, known as Ellie, was the first Chairwoman of the Board of the Kentucky Colonels and was a prominent public figure for decades.
She was born in Central City, Kentucky on Feb. 11, 1940 and grew up in Muhlenberg County, according to an obituary. She graduated from the University of Kentucky and then married John Y. Brown, Jr.
They had three children together. John Y. Brown, Jr. served as the state's governor from 1979-1983.
Brown-Moore helped John Y. Brown Jr. find an investor to purchase Kentucky Fried Chicken, which then grew to be the largest fast-food chain the world. She also served on board and leadership positions with Actors Theatre, YMCA, Junior League and Younger Women's Club.
At the age of 33, Brown-Moore became the nation's first female owner of a professional basketball team, the Kentucky Colonels. The Louisville professional basketball team played in the ABA.
She created an all-female board of directors who then broke ticket sale records for the basketball team.
Ellie Brown Moore speaks at the Browns' Louisville Hometown Heroes banner unveiling in Louisville, Ky. on May 22, 2024.
"It was such a wonderful period for me, owning the Kentucky Colonels," Brown-Moore previously said. "We had support from all areas of the city and the women were so excited about this new opportunity. They had all served in other leadership positions."
Brown-Moore was named Kentucky's Woman of the Year in 1973 and 1998.
Earlier this year, a Hometown Heroes banner featuring former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. and Brown-Moore was unveiled in downtown Louisville.
"It's such an honor to be included with so many other ambassadors from the city," Brown-Moore said to a crowd on May 22, 2024. "It was an honor to be a young adult in the late 60s and 70s in Louisville, Kentucky. It was such an exciting time, we felt there was so much energy all around us. There was such a great number of brilliant men and women who after their education decided to make this place their home to live, work and raise their families."
Brown is survived by her three children and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Second Presbyterian Church at 3701 Old Brownsboro Road.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Volunteers of America, 570 South Fourth Street, Louisville, Ky. 40202.
Related Stories:
- Hometown Heroes unveils new banner for John Y. Brown Jr., Ellie Brown in downtown Louisville
- Former Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. dead at 88, family says
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