Ruth E. Brown

Ruth Evelyn Brown, 97, of Louisburg, KS passed away March 26, 2009 at Sweet Life of Rosehill, Shawnee, KS. Ruth was born on January 21, 1912 in Parsons, Ks. to William Harvey Barnes and Ethel Liddel Barnes. She was raised by her grandparents John and Sara Agnes Price of Freeman Mo, when her mother died from complications in childbirth. In the evening of March 22, 1912, Ruth and her grandmother Sara arrived in Freeman as passengers on the Katy Railroad just ahead of the record setting '25 inch' snowstorm. Ruth attended school in Freeman, Mo. Her mode of transportation to school was horseback. She graduated from Freeman High School in 1929 and completed her BA degree from Central Missouri College, Warrensburg, Mo., on August 13, 1936. During the next twelve years, Ruth taught Commerce and English in Freeman and Harrisonville as well as the surrounding towns of Pilot Grove, Strassburg and Greenwood. Three of those years, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Clyde T. Brown and Ruth were married on April 7, 1939. They moved to Louisburg in 1946 and operated Brown Bros Motors, a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership until 1956. In 1968, she founded Brown's Togs Clothing Store on the main street of Louisburg. She was in business until 1974. Also during this time, she taught private kindergarten in her home. The blackboard and piano still remain in her classroom. Ruth was very brave as she battled cancer in 1955 and again in 1986, beating the odds both times. In December 1995, she fell and fractured a hip and then again in January 2004, fracturing her pelvic. In February 2008, she fell and broke her other hip area. Each time, Ruth, with a strong will and courage, was able to recover. Ruth was given the honor in Louisburg of 'Citizen of the Year' in November 1995. She was a long-time member of The First Christian Church of Louisburg and a member of Eastern Star for over 50 years. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Clyde on July 5, 1979. Survivors include a half sister Sharon Guillot, Woodlands, Texas, Nephew, Clayton Ross, Columbus, Ohio, cousins Nancy Bruens, Harrisonville Mo and Joan Keeney, San Mateo, Ca. Ruth will be sadly missed by her relatives and many friends in the Louisburg area. Funeral Services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2009 at Penwell " Gabel Louisburg Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time Sunday at the Chapel. Burial in Freeman Cemetery. Memorial Contributions to American Cancer Society.