Helen "Jeanie" Brown

Helen "Jeanie� Brown, 86, of Independence, MO, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at her residence. A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2003 at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens. A Visitation will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Speaks Midtown Chapel. Contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice. Mrs. Brown was born on March 26, 1917 to Clarence and Pearl Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband Kelly O. Brown; 3 brothers, Carl, Sharon and Jim Thomas; 2 sisters, Ethel Reed and Pearl Goldsmith. She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Spry and husband Daryl of Independence, MO; 1 son, Jim Hodkins and wife Bertha of Sibley, MO; 5 grandchildren, Bill Stewart and wife Shelly of Spring Dale, AR, Phyllis Lerner and husband Mark of San Antonio, TX, Deborah Ollison and husband John, Susan Smith and husband Roy, and Donna Kay Edington, all of Independence, MO; 11 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; 1 sister, Martha Berdnt; and several nieces and nephews. She had a band with her sisters and played for several years at nursing homes. They called themselves the Rhythm Sisters. She was self taught on the piano and played beautifully. She wrote poems and loved people. She was a special person and will not be forgotten.