Dolores Kay Brown

Dolores Kay Brown, age 86 of Springfield and formerly of Beardstown, died Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at her home. 

She was born November 23, 1936 in Beardstown, the daughter of Fred Clifton "Tip" and Myrtle Ann Reynolds Cannon. She married Donald Earl Brown on January 28, 1956 in Beardstown and he preceded her in death on September 16, 2011.

She is survived by her children Donald Jason Brown of Brookfield, MO, David Clayton Brown of Rushville, Denise Renee (husband Bill) Wilson of Springfield, Dana Matthew (wife Shelia) Brown of rural Rushville, and Dale Andrew (wife Lisa) Brown of rural Rushville; 12 grandchildren, Jason Ryan Brown (companion Tiffany Krohe), Robin Brown (companion Jerry Sanders), Nate Dawson, Jessi (husband Ryan) Prentice, Megan (husband Dustin) Guntle, Seth Brown, Scott Warner, Adam (wife Faith) Brown, Jeremy (wife Katie) Brown, Alisha (husband Matt) Twerdun, Eva Hastings, and Jamie (husband Tye) Shreves; and 15 great-grandchildren, Kelsi, Mason, Owen, Alexis, Wyatt, Makenna, Kamdyn, Kooper, Roman, Raevyn, Kenleigh, Kora, Kye, Alexander, and Abigail; and one great-great grandson, River. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Helen Bernice Genseal. 

Kay graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1954. She was a loving and devoted mother who cherished each role she was given throughout her life. She was artistically and musically inclined. She enjoyed "still life or nature" acrylic painting, theatrics, singing, playing the piano, designing floral arrangements, gardening, telling stories, and writing. She volunteered as a den mother for many years in Beardstown. She portrayed period characters in New Salem reenactments, and for Rushville cemetery walks. Kay was a member of the Shape Note singers and served on the Board of Director's for the Beardstown Grand Opera House. She was the founding owner of 4-All Seasons flower shop in Beardstown which allowed her creative side to flourish. For years she wrote the "Behind the Rusty Gate" column for the Cass County Star Gazette. Later in life, Kay could be found in her vegetable garden or amongst her fruit trees in which she loved to share the fruits of her labor at the local farmers market. Her life on this earth was filled with many colorful and creative moments and she will be greatly missed by all those she inspired. 

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will be in Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 5-7 PM Friday at the memorial home.

Memorials have been suggested to Beardstown Grand Opera House. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.