Carolyn Kay Brown

Carolyn Kay Brown, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, departed this Earth to enter her heavenly home on July 17, 2023, at the age of 65. Carolyn was born to Henry and Mildred (Mathias) Brown on March 20, 1958, at her home in rural Princeton, Kansas as the youngest of five children.

Carolyn was born with Down’s Syndrome. Her doctors said she would never walk or talk and would only live a short time. But God, her parents and Carolyn Kay had other plans. Carolyn not only walked and talked, but she danced and sang. Oh, how she danced and sang! Carolyn had a love for country and western music, especially that of Reba McIntire.

Carolyn attended school at Lakemary Center in Paola, Kansas. There she learned to read and write, and became a special friend to all she met, including boyfriend, Rick Phares, with whom she stayed in contact until his death in 2012. During her youth, Carolyn also learned to swim and loved the water. She participated in the Special Olympics, earning a medal. Carolyn did beautiful embroidery work and made numerous baby blankets and quilts over the years.

At home on the family farm, her mother, Mildred, worked lovingly and faithfully to teach Carolyn basic life skills. Purely to her mother’s credit, Carolyn learned to cook, bake, and do household chores. These skills proved to be of immeasurable value to Carolyn as she transitioned through life’s seasons. Though Carolyn was underestimated by doctors, she became the woman who helped care for her aging parents in their home until the time of their deaths. Carolyn then moved to a group home with COF Training Services in Ottawa, Kansas in 2012.

Carolyn Kay dearly loved her Savior, Jesus, and was a member of Ruhamah Baptist Church in Rantoul, Kansas. Carolyn read her Bible every day while the skill of reading remained with her. When asked how she learned to embroider so beautifully, Carolyn always pointed heavenward and said, “He taught me.” In many situations when others were alarmed, Carolyn calmly bowed her head in prayer to her Savior. Her faith in Jesus was inspiring to all who knew her.

Carolyn was the “sparkle” of her family and was so very loved. In truth, Carolyn was everyone’s favorite, and her family was Carolyn’s dearest treasure. She loved each of them fiercely, and never missed a chance to hug them and say so. The theme of Carolyn’s life was indeed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and forgiveness. She taught us all to become better people. She will be sorely missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. However, we rejoice as she is reunited, healthy and happy, with her Mama, Daddy, and Savior.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Henry Brown; her boyfriend, Rick Phares, Garnett, Kansas; brother-in-law, Gail Montgomery, Ottawa, Kansas, brother-in-law Claron Sobba, Richmond, Kansas, and nephew, Danny Montgomery, Richmond, Kansas. She is survived by her siblings, Edith Montgomery of Ottawa, Kansas, Dorothy Sobba of Richmond, Kansas, Ruby (Elton) Murrow of Ottawa, Kansas, and Eldon (Beverly) Brown of Osawatomie, Kansas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, and her housemates at COF.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Monday, July 24, 2023, at Dengel and Son Mortuary, Ottawa, Kansas. Family will meet with friends from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M., Monday, July 24, 2023, at Dengel and Son Mortuary. Burial will follow the funeral service at Princeton Cemetery, Princeton, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Lakemary Center, Paola, Kansas c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.