Joan Brown

Joan Elaine Brown, 62, Blue Springs, MO, passed away Monday, April 7, 2014 with her husband, David, at her side, and surrounded by her family. Joan was born September 24, 1951, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Henry W. J. and Hilda (Brabbs) Horsley. She moved with her family to the United States in 1969 and began attending Graceland University in Lamoni, IA, from which she graduated in May 1973. From 1988 until 2003, Joan worked as the accounting supervisor for Blue Valley Stake and Central Mission Center for the Community of Christ. Following this she volunteered for a time as a board member and treasurer for Independence Meals on Wheels. Joan also served the Walnut Gardens congregation of Community of Christ as a volunteer church school teacher, congregational financial officer, building committee member, and counselor to the pastor among other roles during the 40 years she attended there. She also began and mentored the Morning Moments group that encouraged women of the congregation to gather together in educational, social, and support project activities. In October 2013, Joan was elected lead pastor of the Walnut Gardens Congregation. Unfortunately, her diagnosis of leukemia three weeks later prevented her from serving in this role which was a disappointment to her. Joan married the love of her life, David J. Brown, August 20, 1983, in Independence, MO. Together they raised her three children, Christopher Corrie, Catherine (Corrie) Froese, and Jeffrey Corrie in Independence. Joan leaves her husband, David; son Christopher with wife Jana and grandsons Jonathan and Roen Corrie of Blue Springs; daughter Catherine with husband Jared, granddaughter Bailey, and grandsons Cooper and Brooks Froese of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada; and son Jeffrey with wife Christa and grandson Graham Corrie of Blue Springs. Joan is also survived by her brother Thomas Horsley and wife Brenda of Stockton, CA; sister Doreen Horsley and husband Jerry Gard of Independence; sister Rachel Horsley and husband Daniel Hassell of North Garden, VA; sister Barbara Davis and husband Tim of Independence; and “adopted” sister Donna Spicer of Lee’s Summit, MO; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their own children. Joan was preceded in death by her father, Henry W. J. Horsley, and her nephews, Khabir Hassell and Benjamin Davis. Joan was an avid quilter and spent a few years after retirement working part-time at Quilter’s Station in Lee’s Summit. Her primary avocation, however, was loving her grandchildren and teaching them how to love life and each other. They meant everything to her because she saw them as examples of God’s work in still creating our world. A Service of Joy and Remembrance of Joan’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Walnut Gardens Community of Christ congregation, 19201 E R D Mize Road, Independence, MO 64057, 816-795-8190. There will be fellowship with the family in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Community of Christ World Headquarters (1001 W Walnut, Independence, MO 64050) for Use Where Needed Most; or Walnut Gardens Congregation for Use Where Needed Most; or Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (1500 Meadow Lake Pkwy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114). Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600.