Janet D. "Jan" Brown

Janet Dorothea “Jan” Brown, age 87, died Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at her home in Independence, MO.  Born November 9, 1935 in Marietta, Ohio to Warren and Ruby Mills, she spent most of her elementary, junior and senior high school years in Columbus, Ohio.  She was a graduate of Milligan College in Tennessee as an Elementary Education major in 1956. 

She began teaching and met the love of her life, Bill Brown, on a blind date in 1960.  They were married August 6, 1961.  They started their family in 1965, and added to the family in 1966 and 1968.  Mom spent most of her teaching career with Belpre (OH) City Schools, as a First Grade Teacher.  She retired after 22 years there.  While raising a family and teaching, she was always busy serving in various roles, often with children, in the Parkersburg, WV Community of Christ congregation.  She was ordained to serve as a Priest in 1994. 

In 2005, she and Bill moved to Independence, MO to be near their daughters.  She continued her ministry in the Cornerstone Community of Christ, as well as volunteer service with Laurel Club and Temple Ambassadors.  She became an active member of P.E.O., a philanthropic education organization that supports women’s education.  Mom was a faithful worker bee.  She was uncomfortable in the limelight but grew into a quiet, dependable participant in life and leadership.  She was practical and steady and did everything from a loving heart.  She was kind and welcoming, although she would describe herself as shy…but she grew out of it!  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but remembered with great love. 

Mom was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Bill Brown, and parents, Warren and Ruby Mills.  She is survived by her daughters, Marci (Carl) Brown-Turlin, Lesa (Reggie) Bowerman, and Christi Brown; her grandchildren, Shannon (Mark) Bowerman Lavigne, Sean Bowerman, Nicolas Turlin, Jeremy Turlin, William Turlin, Jessica (Todd) Kraus; great granddaughter, Savitri Kraus; siblings, Alice Carroll (Jim, deceased) and Alan Mills, of Columbus, Ohio; and nieces and nephews from Florida to Minnesota and Ohio to Colorado. 

Services of remembrance begin with visitation Friday, November 3 at Speaks Suburban, 18020 E. 39th Street, Independence, MO from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; private family burial at Lobb Cemetery; with a celebration of life Saturday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m. at Gudgell Park Community of Christ, 500 E. Gudgell Ave., Independence, MO 64055, followed by a cookies and punch reception. 

Contribution to the Program for Continuing Education (PCE) In Memory of Jan Brown

Make Check payable to Program for Continuing Education (PCE) and mail to:

P.E.O. Executive Office

Treasurer’s Office

3700 Grand

Des Moines, IA 50312