Shirley Scott Brown

Shirley Scott Brown

LaGrange, Ga.

Shirley Scott Brown, a long-time resident of LaGrange, Ga., passed away suddenly on July 8, 2023, at her residence. She was 81 years old.

She was born July 25, 1941, to the late Norman G. Scott and Martha Gearkee Scott of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jeffrey Warner Brown; her son, Gregory Scott Brown; her daughter-in-law, Anna Matheny Brown; and her beloved grandchildren: Gregory Scott Brown Jr. (Bo), Savannah Reese Brown and Bella Louise Brown. Her memory lives on with her sister-in-law, Doris Scott; brother-in-law, Les Brown, and his wife, Connie Brown. Nieces and nephews, Jennifer Messerall Westbrook, and her husband Tony, John Messerall, Kathy Scott Hanway, Ken Scott, Kristy Scott McKinney, Heather Goodlett, Holly Scott, Heidi Lee, Michael Brown, and Lindsay Watson. Great-nieces and nephews, Ashton, Eli, Daniel and Ava Westbrook. Cousins, Sue McCrory Oldaker, Linda McCrory Drzycimski, Vicki Talbot Stolba and Larry Talbot.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Eric Jeffrey Brown; sister, Jane Scott Messerall; brother-in-law, Hudson Messerall; brother, John Allan Scott; sister-in-law, Elaine Brown Watson; and cousin, Nancy McCrory Drapeau.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 17, at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary of LaGrange. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, at First Presbyterian Church, LaGrange, Ga.; followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Montessori of LaGrange in Shirley’s name.

Shirley’s Christian faith greatly influenced her life. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange for 48 years. During that time, she humbly served as a deacon, church librarian and on several councils. Shirley graduated with honors from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She then attended Iowa State University, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and graduated with a B.S. in English. Upon graduating, she moved to suburban Chicago where she was an English teacher. She then attended the University of Iowa and received an M.A. in library science.

Shirley enjoyed an enriched life, working and living in many different places as follows: Acquisitions Librarian at Pensacola Junior College, now Pensacola State College in Pensacola, Fla.; head librarian at Mayfair High School in Long Beach, Calif.; and librarian at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.

She met and married Jeff while in Pensacola. They moved from Pensacola to Los Angeles, Calif., then to Lancaster, Pa., where Greg was born which led to her becoming a full-time mother. From Lancaster, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where Eric was born. Finally, Milliken & Company recruited Jeff to LaGrange, Ga., where they have lived for the past 48 years except for one year when the family lived in the Manhattan borough of New York City.

Shirley served for many years on the Board of Planning and Zoning Appeals for the City of LaGrange; Board of LaGrange Art Museum where she was president; Troup County Historical Society Board; Azalea Storytelling Festival Board; and Member of the Spectator Book Club where she just finished being president. She also aided Jeff’s campaigns for seven political races and volunteered with constituent services. Shirley enjoyed traveling, her bridge groups, dinner clubs and, most importantly, spending time with her dearly loved family and friends, whether that be at her home overlooking West Point Lake or sitting on the balcony at the LaPlaya Condo in Perdido Key, Florida watching the Gulf.

She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shlagrange.com for the Brown family. For a video link of the Celebration of Life service email jeffwarnerbrown@gmail.com.