Bernice Layne Brown

Bernice Layne Brown
First Lady of California
In office January 5, 1959 – January 2, 1967
Preceded by	Virginia Piergue Knight
Succeeded by	Nancy Reagan
Personal details
Born	(1908-11-19)November 19, 1908 Los Angeles, California
Died	May 9, 2002(2002-05-09) (aged 93) Los Angeles, California
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Edmund "Pat" Brown(m. 1930–1996; his death)
Children	Barbara Layne, Cynthia Arden, Edmund Gerald, Jr., Kathleen Lynn

Bernice E. Layne Brown (1908 – 2002) was the wife of former Governor of California Edmund "Pat" Brown and the mother to former and current governor Jerry Brown.

Bernice Layne was born on November 19, 1908, in Los Angeles, California, to Allis (née Cunel) and Arthur Layne. She married future California governor Pat Brown on October 30, 1930, and had four children: Jerry, Kathleen, Cynthia, and Barbara (all born in San Francisco).

She became first lady of California after her husband defeated William Knowland in 1958. While there, she was known for being a great speaker, often involving family life. In 1962, her husband was elected to a second term, defeating Richard Nixon. Pat Brown's bid for a third term in 1966 ended in defeat to future U.S President Ronald Reagan.

Bernice lived to see her son Jerry serve two terms as governor (1975-1983) and died May 9, 2002 at age 93.