Mary Ellen McGuire Brown was born August 6, 1924 to Ira Augusta and Matilda Miriam “Mae” (Kelley) McGuire. Mary went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 3, 2019, in the Dade County Nursing Home where she had been a resident since December 2015. At the time of her passing, Mary was 94 years old.
Mary was united in marriage to John H. (Johnnie) Brown, Jr. on December 31, 1945. To this union, two children were born, Barbara Ellen, and John H. “Jay” Brown, IV. Mary was baptized into the First Christian Church of Greenfield on August 6, 1995, where she remained an active member until her death. Johnnie and Mary were merchants in Greenfield for many years, owning Browns Tobacco Store, where they sold package liquor, tobacco products, live bait, tackle and offered the first coin operated ice vending available in Dade County. They owned and operated a body shop, and maintained a farming operation where they raised cattle. Mary also provided tax accounting to many Dade County residents, served as Dade County Public Administrator, was a law secretary to the Dade County Prosecuting Attorney, and in her later years was instrumental in the day to day operation of her son’s auto parts, auto repair, and wrecker business. Mary was an avid reader. She enjoyed taking bus tours to visit and learn about new and different places. Most of all, Mary was a devoted mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with Ryan and Cassidy, teaching them facts about Dade County, things on the family farm, and life in general. Cassidy and Ryan’s favorite quotes from their grandma are: “Pretty is as pretty does!”, and “Kids, there bee’s all kinds!”
Mary is survived by her daughter Barbara McDannald, of Springfield, MO., son Jay and his wife Kathy Brown of Greenfield, MO., one grandson, Ryan Brown of Chadwick, MO., and one granddaughter, Cassidy Brown, of Springfield, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira A. and Matilda M. McGuire, two brothers, Tom McGuire and Sam McGuire, and her son-in-law Paul McDannald.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday August 7, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in the Greenfield Cemetery, under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Greenfield First Christian Church, or the Dade County Senior Center.