Joan Brown 1929~2008

BROWN, SMITHART, MCVAY

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 3/6/2008 at 20:09:51

Joan Brown
Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier

OTTUMWA — Joan Brown, 78, of 16721 Highway 149, died at 8:03 a.m. March 5, 2008, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.She was born June 25, 1929 in Ollie, Iowa to Earl E. and Leona Smithart McVay.

She married Howard M. Brown May 17, 1947. He preceded her in death Aug. 20, 2004.A graduate of Hedrick High School in 1946, she attended the Iowa School of Beauty and spent 61 years on the family farm north of Ottumwa. During those years, she raised four sons along with farm activities and gardening. In the mid-’60s, she was a rural carrier for the postal service until retiring in the early ’90s.

She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church and a 50-year member of Ollie Chapter #549 Order of Eastern Star. She loved playing bingo.

Surviving are four sons, Ron (Jean) Brown of Milan, Ill., Dennis (Karen) Brown, Greg (Cindy) Brown and Randy (Pam) Brown all of Ottumwa; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Mary) McVay of Oskaloosa.She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Young officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery.Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Friday with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday.A memorial has been established to McCreery Cancer Center.