Ruth Ann was born on August 22, 1938 to Edward Taylor and Myrtle Steinway Taylor in Peoria, Illinois. She graduated from Peoria Central High School in 1956. Ruth Ann worked for Kroger and Caterpillar before marrying Floyd Brown (Jr) in October of 1958 in Alta, IL. She was an Air Force wife living in Lincoln, Nebraska until Jr left the Air Force life in 1960. Ruth Ann was a homemaker in all the places they lived around Illinois and in the St. Louis, MO area.
Ruth Ann was very active in her children’s boy and girl scout troops, Sunday School and children’s choir at church. She and Jr were involved with the Order of the Eastern Star, becoming Worthy Matron and Patron in 1987 in Florissant, MO and with boards in the Order of Rainbow for Girls and the International Service Organization for Girls. Ruth Ann was well known at John Knox Presbyterian Church as the “story lady” in children’s Sunday School and during VBS. She led a women’s Bible study for many years. She also took on leadership roles in Presbyterian Women groups. Additionally, she was active in Beta Sigma Phi. In her later years she enjoyed listening to talk radio and seeing what people were up to on Facebook.
Ruth Ann was mother to Jeff Brown (Kim) of Mexico, MO and Jill Seidel of Florissant, MO. She was grandma to Kristin Brown, Marissa (Chris) Randolph, Taylor (Michael) Payne, Esmee Hendriks and Matt (Taylor) Seidel. She also was GG to Avery, Clayton, Weston and Jaxon. Ruth Ann was sister to Mary Sue Taylor and has many extended Taylor family and Brown family members including Leah Shupe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Florissant Valley Presbyterian Church or Florissant Chapter #161 Order of the Eastern Star.
A visitation will be held in Ruth Ann’s honor on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:00 am at Florissant Valley Presbyterian Church, 13200 New Halls Ferry Rd, Florissant, MO 63033. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am at Florissant Valley Presbyterian Church.
