Apr 12, 2023

Stella Jean Shankle Brown

Posted Apr 12, 2023 6:41 PM

Stella Jean Shankle Brown, 91, of Monroe, LA, passed away on April 5th, 2023.

The funeral service will be graveside at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Eudora, AR April 8th at 11:00 AM graveside service only. Brother Kenny Culpepper will be officiating, and Pastor Steve Myers will speak virtually from his home in Michigan.

Stella Jean was born in Sikeston, MO, on March 2nd, 1932. She graduated from Sikeston high school and worked as a secretary, proficient and an expert in shorthand dictation.

Stella Jean was a secretary for Rural Electric Co-op in Sikeston, MO. Stella Jean Shankle married Benjamin Lindsey Brown on April 17th, 1959, at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Eventually, they made their home in Manhattan, KS, from 1974 until 2019. Stella Jean enjoyed sewing, knitting, swimming, playing bridge with the girls, and working hours on the O'Hara, Shankle, and Brown Genealogy. She also spent time working at the Kansas State University bookstore. In 2019, due to health problems and to be closer to family, they moved to Monroe, LA, and lived at Azalea Estates assisted living. They were married for 60 years.

Stella Jean Brown is survived by her nieces and nephews William Edward Shankle of Arnold, MO, Milton L. Brown of Eudora, Arkansas, Clarinda Jane Shankle of Pensacola, FL, and Elizabeth Joanne Kiel of Bixby, OK. Great nephews Michael L. Brown of Monroe, LA, Jeffrey Brown of West Monroe, LA., Cheryl Kiel, and Jon Kiel from Bixby, OK. and four great-great nephews Davis Brown, Tyler Brown, Brady Brown, and Cameron Brown.

Stella Jean Brown is preceded in death by her husband Benjamin Brown, her parents Jasper Wyatt Shankle and Lillian Edna O'Hara Shankle, a Sister Electa Shankle Goldwasser, a Brother William Robert Shankle, an Aunt Electa O'Hara and nieces Pat Goldwasser Musser and Michelle Goldwasser.

Stella Jean Brown's family would like to thank Azalea Estates for giving Stella and Ben a community to be a part of after leaving their home for so many years. The care and love they received were "STELLAR." Stella enjoyed visiting with her friends, activities and playing BINGO in the community, and sipping wine during happy hour. She also enjoyed watching the Westerns. I want to thank her sitters, Gayle Grayson, Denise Jenkins, Miracle Jenkins, Tisha Williams, Frankie Osborn, Tammy Haynes, Debra Havard, Crasanthinay Williams, Tiffany Wilson, and B&K Family Services. I could not have done it without your love and devotion to my Aunt Stella.

Lastly, the family would like to thank Louisiana Hospice for always being there for Aunt Stella and her family especially toward the end of her journey. Thanks to Brother Ricky Baker for praying with her and singing Amazing Grace just minutes before she passed away.

Honorary Pallbearers: Ed Shankle, Lindy Brown, Michael Brown, Jeffery Brown, Davis Brown, Tyler Brown, Brady Brown, Cameron Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to The American Red Cross, Greater Kansas Area Chapter at 1321 Southwest Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kansas 66612. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of Lake Village, AR.