Elsie Brown

Elsie E. Brown

Mrs. Elsie E. Brown, 97, Topeka, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003, at McCrite Plaza. She was born March 16, 1906, near Hoyt, the daughter of James and Victoria Jensen Kinnaird. She graduated from Hoyt High School in 1923 and received a teachers certificate from Emporia State Teachers College. Mrs. Brown began her career as a school teacher at the age of 17 in a one-room school house. She taught in the Topeka and Garnett area for many years. She was a librarian at the Garnett Library and a volunteer at the Anderson County Historical Society, where she served as treasurer and was a co-chairperson for the reprint book of the Anderson County Histories. Mrs. Brown was a member of Chapter HG of the PEO Sisterhood for more than 50 years. She was a collector of antique dishes, books and coins. She also was involved in researching genealogy. She and her husband enjoyed traveling. She moved back to Topeka in 1987 to be close to family. She married John J. "Jack" Brown in March of 1930 in Topeka. He died in 1983. They moved to Garnett in 1945, where Mr. Brown was a partner in the International Harvester Dealership. Survivors include nieces and nephews. Mrs. Brown also was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Slattery. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Parker-Price Mortuary. Burial will be in Grantville Cemetery. Mrs. Brown will lie in state at the mortuary after 3 p.m. today, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Anderson County Historical Society, 410 W. 6th Ave., Garnett, 66032; or to the charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be offred at www.funeralchoice.com .