Communicator of Achievement Award – Connie Cockrell
Connie Cockrell was named “Communicator of Achievement” for 2019, APWs highest award. Her certificate and original “storyteller” carving made by a Pueblo Native American were displayed at our virtual State Conference in May. Connie was also honored at the virtual awards NFPW Awards Ceremony. She will receive a stipend to attend the 2021 NFPW Awards Ceremony.
“Local writer wins Communicator Achievement Award,” written by Marie Fasano, tells more about Connie and the award and appeared in the 6/30/2020 issue of the Payson Roundup. Photo by Randy Cockrell.
Carol Gail Osman Brown 1941-2020
Carol Gail Osman Brown 78, of Payson, AZ, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2020, in Los Angeles, CA with her sons by her side. Carol was preceded in death by her husband James Carrington Brown III (Bing) on Friday, May 31, 2019, in Phoenix, AZ. Carol and Bing are survived by their two sons, James Carrington Brown IV (Jim) and Bryan Lee Brown, wife Ronda Doyle and grandson, Asa of Los Angeles, CA and extended family. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Sidney A. and Natalie Constance (Charipper) Osman.
Carol was born in Schenectady, New York on September 28, 1941, to Sid and Natalie Osman. Carol and her parents lived in New York City as a child but due to her severe asthma, moved to AZ and settled in Phoenix, Arizona around 1949.
Carol attended Kenilworth Elementary School and West High School in Phoenix and graduated from Arizona State University.
Carol and Bing met while they were summer camp counselors in Prescott, AZ and were later married on November 3, 1961, in Phoenix, AZ. Both Carol and Bing were longtime residents of Phoenix and then Payson AZ where they both were intricately involved in the journalism community.
An award-winning journalist, Carol was a strong advocate of children’s literacy programs. Her long-term leadership involvement with Arizona Press Women (now Arizona Professional Writers) allowed her to spearhead the very successful annual Payson Book Festival featuring Arizona authors from throughout the state and is held in July in Payson, AZ. Proceeds support a variety of children’s literacy programs.
During her career, Carol drew public attention to other causes including historic preservation, education, health, Native American and women’s issues. She wrote for The Phoenix Gazette and Arizona Republic newspapers and taught journalism classes at her alma mater Arizona State University and Rio Salado College.
Her articles and photographs have appeared in numerous publications including Arizona Highways, Native Peoples, and Sunset magazines as well as publications of the United States Information Agency. She also worked for Associated Press and United Press International wire services.
She received a variety of awards throughout her 50-year career from organizations including the National Federation of Press Women, The Arizona Newspapers Association, the Public Relations Society of America, and Women in Communications.
Carol and her husband, Bing were a powerhouse couple in their community. They formed Carrington Communications LLC and worked as a team on writing projects that took them long distances throughout the United States, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, Africa, Australia, Europe and Canada. They were active on the Beaver Valley Water District board and the Arizona Association of Professional Writers.
Carol was born with severe Asthma and fought her lung disease her entire life. A lifelong commitment to researching her own medical condition, including using holistic medicine as a key component, enabled her to live a full, vibrant, and very productive life.
Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19), a Celebrations of Life will be held in Beaver Valley, AZ (Payson) and in Phoenix, AZ at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Payson Book Festival, Inc. or the charity of your choice.
See the home page of the Payson Book Festival website for details if you would like to donate to their children’s programs and literacy projects.
James “Bing” Brown obituary
Obituary for James C. “Bing” Brown III
May 17, 1939 – May 31, 2019
James Carrington Brown III, (Bing Brown), 80, of Payson, passed away in Phoenix on May 31, 2019, following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Carol G. Brown, Payson, sons James C. Brown IV and Bryan Lee Brown (Ronda) and grandson Asa, of Los Angeles; brother David Brown (Magaly), of Glendale, sister-in-law Stella Brown, of Elfrida, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents James Carrington Brown Jr., Virginia, and his brother Tom Brown.
Bing was born in Wilmington, Delaware and the family moved to Prescott, AZ on July 4, 1945. Bing began his career as a teen DJ with a Prescott radio station. He was a reporter with the Prescott Courier, before joining the newsroom staff of the Phoenix Gazette in 1961, where he later served as business editor. A graduate of Arizona State University (ASU), he joined the media and information department of Salt River Project in 1965 and worked there for nearly 25 years in various management roles prior to becoming an information officer for the City of Phoenix Water Services Department. He was an adjunct professor at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and taught writing and business courses at Rio Salado Community College. Bing was president and co-owner of Carrington Communications, a public relations firm. His articles and photographs were published in Sunset, Westways, Arizona Highways and many other magazines and newspapers.
Recognized for giving his time and talents to community groups, Bing received many awards, including ones from the Boy Scouts of America, Western Coalition of Arid States, Recordings for the Blind, Nature Conservancy and the Heard Museum. After moving to Payson in 2001, Bing raised funds to help the Northern Gila County Museum to build a replica of the original Zane Grey cabin. He worked as a docent in the cabin for many years, enjoyed singing with the Payson Choral Society and helped start the Payson Book Festival.
A celebration of Bing’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on August 24, 2019, at the Community Presbyterian Church, 800 W. Main Street in Payson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Central Arizona or the scholarship fund of the Payson Choral Society.
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- James C. “Bing” Brown III May 17, 1939 – May 31, 2019