Obituary of Shirley J. Brown

Shirley June Brown, 91, of Coffeyville passed away Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. She was born on June 26, 1930 at Coffeyville to Earl B. and Lydia A. (Beam) Lewis. Shirley grew up in the Coffeyville area where she briefly attended McKinley School before going to James School southeast of Coffeyville, Roosevelt Middle School and graduated from Field Kindley High School. After completing high school she attended Coffeyville Community College. On December 17, 1948 she was united in marriage to Donald Brown. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville. Shirley worked at several area business, Coffeyville Merchants Association, Union Gas Company, Kansas Employment Company, the City of Coffeyville and U.S.D. #445. In 1970 Don and Shirley purchased a Lumber Yard in Coffeyville, in 1973 they branched out and started Brown Construction building homes the area. In 1976 they began Shelter Service and Subpply insulating homes and businesses in Coffeyville and the surrounding area. After a fire claimed the lumber yard in the late 1970's they sold their business but remained active buying and selling factory overruns. In 1985 they started Sports Image a screen printing business which they operated until retiring in 1999. After a busy life Don and Shirley retired to their log home southeast of Coffeyville. Shirley was a member of Tyro Christian Church, and a former longtime member of Weight Watchers. She enjoyed reading, bookkeeping, quilting, crocheting, and knitting. Shirley was a excellent cook and baker and loved spending time with her family. Survivors include her husband of 72 years, Don of the home; her children, Narayana (Richard) Brown, and Deborah Brown Toye; grandchildren, Jesse Ashe, Melissa Kucyk, Treton Gomaz, and Hanuman Michael Brown-Eagle; great-grandchildren, Lillian Ashe, Fallon Kucyk, Maddox Kucyk and Leland Kucyk; and her brother, Kenneth Lewis. She was preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Arlene Brakhage. Services celebrating Shirley's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at the Tyro Christian Church in Tyro, Kansas with David Bycroft officiating. Burial will follow in Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Tyro Christian Church; contributions may be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. Friends may call on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.