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Shirley Ann Brown, age 78, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, November 1, 2025 at her home.
She was born January 10, 1947 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Carl and AltaMae (Felthoff) Earl, and graduated from Schoolcraft High School with the Class of 1965.
Shirley earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University and worked as a teacher at Marcellus Middle School plus as a substitute teacher at many local schools.
On June 19, 1965 she married the love of her life, Darl Brown, a marriage that lasted 58-1/2 years prior to his passing on March 23, 2024. They had two sons and raised them on a farm and spent a lot of time gardening, cutting firewood (as the only source of heat in their house), riding bikes (once from their house to Schoolcraft and back), and swimming at Hemlock Lake after a hard day’s work.
Shirley and Darl both committed their lives to their Lord and Savior in 1967 on a very special night at an evangelistic revival at Harmony Chapel. A little later in the same year, they were both baptized in a still chilly Hemlock Lake. Wanting every part of her life to glorify God and testify to His grace, Shirley was very active at Harmony Chapel. Later they transitioned to Howardsville Gospel Chapel and served there for many years as missionary council, member of the choir and orchestra ensemble. She and Darl were part of the founding board of Howardsville Christian School where their sons began attending in 5th grade and later were part of the first graduating class. Next, the family joined Berean Baptist Church where she loved singing in the choir, helping with the annual Action Day Camp, and really loved and was welcomed in one of the adult Sunday school classes. In the past few years as Darl’s health deteriorated, they began attending Newberg Norton Bible Church’s midweek prayer meeting. Following Darl’s passing, she found encouragement through the GriefShare program offered at Berean.
Shirley’s interests were many including vegetable and flower gardening, riding/driving the Gator on their 37-acre property, baking pies, feeding and watching birds, and shopping at garage sales. She founded a Neighborhood Watch for their neighborhood and enjoyed participating with the Cass County Council on Aging.
Remaining to cherish her memory are two sons, Dion Brown and Todd (Katherine) Brown; grandsons, William Brown and Nathanael Brown; brother, Tom (Darlene) Earl; sister-in-law, Verna Maughan; and many cherished cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Darl Brown; brother-in-law, Dale; and sister-in-law, Dena.
Her family will receive friends Saturday, November 8, 2025 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Berean Baptist Church, 7813 S. 12th St., Portage, MI 49024. A funeral service will follow at noon at the church with Pastor Jim Galvin officiating. She will be laid to rest at Bly Cemetery, Marcellus.
Donations in Shirley’s memory may be directed to Berean Baptist Church for Action Day Camp. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Hohner Funeral Home.
