June Merle Brown

On Friday morning, January 6, 2023, June Brown went to heaven to be with Jesus. She was blessed to be at her home, with her family. At the age of 92, June was starting to slow down, but until the end, she had an enthusiasm to sing God's praises and to let others know they would be much better off with Jesus in their life.

This Friday, January 13, 2023, a viewing will be held for June Brown at DeVorss Flanagan-Hunt Mortuary, 201 South Hydraulic, Wichita, KS 67211 from 3:00-6:00ish. All friends and family are invited to attend. A memorial service is also planned for 10am on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Christian Family Ministries, 4502 S. Seneca St., Wichita, KS 67217.

June was born on September 10, 1930 in Daytona Beach, FL. In the early 1940's, her family moved to Springfield, MO to be away from the coast during WWII. On June 23, 1949, June married the love of her life, C.W. Brown. Soon after their wedding, June and C.W. moved their family to Wichita, KS. There they stayed, through 72 years of marriage, where they had five children: Rebecca Sue Brown-Biethman (Hilton Head, SC); James Wesley Brown (Albuquerque, NM); Kathryn June Brown-Stucky (deceased); Jerold Lee Brown (Lee's Summit, MO) and Judith Lynn Brown-Fleet (Wichita, KS). June had 4 brothers and a sister who moved to Wichita with her parents, Alex and Betty Campbell. Two of June's nieces, Jyl Campbell (Faribault, MN) and Jackie Campbell (deceased) also lived with the Browns and became a part of the family. Later, Vicki Howell, (Denton, TX) a member of their church, also moved in with the Browns. One thing about June, she believed there was always room for one more.

Taking care of eight children kept June quite busy, but as the children started to go to school, June decided to earn her GED Certificate. She passed with high honors and was hired at Wichita State University to work in the bookstore. Later, she worked for Sears in their Customer Service Department. In addition to all these responsibilities, her husband had a radio program and all the kids and mom became the singing C.W. Brown Family. June played the accordion and the piano, and she sang. C.W. Played the guitar and lead the band. Together, the family made records and CDs and frequently traveled to sing in revivals.

When June was in her 50s, she and C.W. decided to purchase a church and a parsonage. They called it Christian Family Ministries. June was very busy as a Pastor's Wife, leading Bible Studies, Children's Church, visitation, and she began a very successful "Food Bank Ministry" for those in the community who needed food. She was always happy to be working in the background and she often let others take credit for whatever project she was coordinating.

One of the most important events for June and her family was for everyone to have supper together at the dinner table. C.W. would say grace and then the laughter and stories of the day would begin. June was a good cook and she was very creative at making a little go a long way. Dinner time was a happy time. It was also an important place for everyone to share what was happening in their world.

Another talent June possessed was she was especially good at creating "JOY." Every birthday or holiday was a celebration with cake, balloons, and crepe paper. It's amazing how special balloons and crepe paper can make a person feel. Once, someone asked her husband, C.W. why he married June. Without hesitation, he said, "She's a lot of fun!"

June Brown's husband, C.W. Brown preceded her in death in 2021. Other survivors are 6 of her 8 children, a sister, Betty Campbell-Vanderhoff and a brother, Richard Campbell. She also has a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who survive her. All of us will miss June Brown, our mom, our grandma, our great-grandma, our sister and our friend, more than we can say. Until we meet again, June, we love you.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to a memorial with Samaritan’s Purse for June Brown. The ministry chosen for June provides goats, chickens, and water to villages in need. Thank you for your giving. See link here or below.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/june-merle-brown-wichita-ks/?fbclid=IwAR0o7HX7WspPLnRUNAbACDlGf6v3_KKLV7LW3fAhVt-9u2pGGSg38ICWgLw&mibextid=Zxz2cZ