Hazel Earlene (Simmons) Brown, age 85, passed away on Saturday evening, November 11, 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer's dementia.

She was born at home on November 26, 1937 in Higginsville Missouri. She was the second child of three, and the only girl, born to the late Earl M. and Hazel (Chapman) Simmons. Earlene grew up in the Higginsville, Leeton, and Warrensburg areas. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Future Homemakers of America, and went to Girl's State in Fulton, Missouri before graduating from Warrensburg High School in 1955.

After high school, Earlene went to work in the billing office of the United Telephone Company. She would often go the local roller skating rink with friends, and it was there she met her future husband SSgt. William N. (Bill) Brown, who was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Earlene and Bill were married at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg on May 3, 1959. She was an Air Force wife for 20 years and returned to Warrensburg when Bill retired in August 1971. She also worked at Walmart, UCM (in the Financial Aid Department), and was the bookkeeper for the Trails Regional Library system (8 branches) for 30 years (July 1976 to July 2006).

In her later years, Earlene was a member of the United Women in Faith (United Methodist Women) and a charter member of the Inspired Quilters Guild.

Earlene is survived by two children Deborah S. (Debbie) Brown of Warrensburg and William J. (Bill) Brown (Heather) of Henderson, NV; nine grandchildren Mark A. N. Brown (Madison) of Blue Springs, MO, Starsha Canaday (Jeremie) of West Virginia, Crystal Humphrey (Johnnie), William Christopher Brown (Chynna Ramelb), Michael J. Brown, Amber Bohanon, Ian Tunney and Shawn Tunney, all of Henderson, NV and Ashley Tunney of Herriman, Utah; ten great grandchildren Arietta (Aria) and Anastasia (Anya) Brown, Cooper and Collette Canaday, Raidyn and Lilly Humphreys, Oakley Ramelb, Chase Tunney, and Keira and Riley Bohanon; seven nieces, three nephews, and several cousins, great nieces, and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers James D. Simmons (December 2000) and Charles P. (Pat) Simmons (January 2019); husband Bill (December 2006); one niece Lydia Montoya (CA); and one nephew Dr. Michael R. Simmons, (KS).

Earlene was a loving daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday Nov. 16, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm at Sweeney Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home and services on Friday Nov. 17, 2023, at 1 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg, MO. Interment will be at Warrensburg Memorial Gardens under the direction of Sweeney Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home.

Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church 141 E. Gay St. Warrensburg, MO 64093, Trails Regional Library (Warrensburg Branch) 142 N Holden St. Warrensburg or The Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association 2609 E. Broadway #119 Columbia, MO 65201.