In Memory Of
Mary Jane Brown
1919
2015
Mary Jane Brown
October 13, 1919 — June 1, 2015
Mary Jane "Granny" Brown, 95, formerly of Topeka, passed away Monday, June 1, 2015.
She was born October 13, 1919 in Gentry, Missouri, to William and Nellie (Wilson) Leonard. She was the youngest of eight children. Mary Jane's mother died when she was eight. Mary Jane and her wonderful father lived and worked on a farm. She joined the Church of Christ when she was sixteen, and was baptized in the Grand River in Gentry County near her home.
She loved people and all animals. She had a kennel and sold quality puppies, especially Poodles, for over sixty years. Her canine companion in recent years would let her know if someone came up to the driveway or the phone rang. She also became a Stanley Demonstrator in 1951, because she liked working with and helping people. She was still available so people could get Stanley products up through the age 90. She also loved to travel and had been to all 50 states, Mexico and Canada several times. She was a foster parent to many children and also was a caregiver for veterans.
Mary Jane married Melvin Brown on October 18, 1937 in Vancouver, WA. He preceded her in death on February 2, 2005. Survivors include three daughters, Melba Nicol, Mayetta, Marvella Bailey, Ft. Worth, TX and Marvellee (Nick) Self, Topeka; nine grandchildren, Michael (Lana) Nicol, Cheryl Nicol, Mitchell (Stephannie) Nicol, Marchell (Kevin) Lane, Monica Bailey, Mindy Bailey, Melvin (Jenny) Bailey, Chet (Jamie) Self and Lindsay Self and significant, Bret Traphagan; several great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Melody Jane Bailey and Mark Bailey; three brothers, Cecil, Graden, and Fred Wilson; and four sisters, Faye Ray, Eva Olson, Wilma Small and Neal Boydston.
A funeral ceremony will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2015at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Interment will follow at the Half-Day Cemetery, Elmont, KS. Mary Jane will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lighthouse Hospice, 1480 230th St., Hiawatha, KS 66434 or Alzheimer's Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614.
To leave a special message for Mary Jane's family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born October 13, 1919 in Gentry, Missouri, to William and Nellie (Wilson) Leonard. She was the youngest of eight children. Mary Jane's mother died when she was eight. Mary Jane and her wonderful father lived and worked on a farm. She joined the Church of Christ when she was sixteen, and was baptized in the Grand River in Gentry County near her home.
She loved people and all animals. She had a kennel and sold quality puppies, especially Poodles, for over sixty years. Her canine companion in recent years would let her know if someone came up to the driveway or the phone rang. She also became a Stanley Demonstrator in 1951, because she liked working with and helping people. She was still available so people could get Stanley products up through the age 90. She also loved to travel and had been to all 50 states, Mexico and Canada several times. She was a foster parent to many children and also was a caregiver for veterans.
Mary Jane married Melvin Brown on October 18, 1937 in Vancouver, WA. He preceded her in death on February 2, 2005. Survivors include three daughters, Melba Nicol, Mayetta, Marvella Bailey, Ft. Worth, TX and Marvellee (Nick) Self, Topeka; nine grandchildren, Michael (Lana) Nicol, Cheryl Nicol, Mitchell (Stephannie) Nicol, Marchell (Kevin) Lane, Monica Bailey, Mindy Bailey, Melvin (Jenny) Bailey, Chet (Jamie) Self and Lindsay Self and significant, Bret Traphagan; several great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two grandchildren, Melody Jane Bailey and Mark Bailey; three brothers, Cecil, Graden, and Fred Wilson; and four sisters, Faye Ray, Eva Olson, Wilma Small and Neal Boydston.
A funeral ceremony will be 10 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2015at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Interment will follow at the Half-Day Cemetery, Elmont, KS. Mary Jane will lie in state after 3 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lighthouse Hospice, 1480 230th St., Hiawatha, KS 66434 or Alzheimer's Association, 3625 SW 29th St. Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614.
To leave a special message for Mary Jane's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Jane Brown, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
In State
Thursday, June 4, 2015
3:00 - 9:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Visitation
Thursday, June 4, 2015
7:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Service
Friday, June 5, 2015
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Parker-Price & Davidson
Guestbook
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