Shirley Brown

Shirley (Anderson Ratliff) Brown, age 80, of Evansville, IN, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born July 24, 1944, in Elmore Holler, Mullens, WV, to Ernest Allen Anderson and Georgia (Collinsworth) Ratliff. She attended High School at Frankfort Pilgrim Holiness College when she met the love her life, C. Marion. She faithfully served for over 50 years at Wesleyan Methodist Church of Evansville and other churches in Southern Indiana and Illinois. Together, they owned and operated Brown Bus Transportation. For over 40 years, she was contract school bus driver H-65 for EVSC, Evansville area Catholic schools, many daycares, marching bands, church groups, and too many others to name. Shirley enjoyed her flowers, shopping, a good bargain, and a good investment. She had a kind heart who always found the good in you, loved people, and always gave a gift for every occasion. She loved the Lord and dedicated her life to her ministry and her family. To know her was to love her.

Shirley is survived by the love of her life, Rev. C Marion Brown, Jr.; daughters, Cheryl Brown, Catrina Brown, and Charla Fox (Brian); sons, Chuck Brown, II (Debbie) and Chris Brown; sister, Barbara Howard; brothers, Mike Ratliff (Dr. Catherine) and Samuel Ratliff (Sandra); sisters- and brothers-in-law, Dr. Joe C. Brown (Carol), Richard Heatwole (Patricia), David Brown (Karyn), Harold Jr. Seal (Susan); uncle, Dale Collinsworth; grandchildren, Chip (Lindsay), Kimberlee (Jacob), Bradlee (Susannah), Brooke, and Pumpkin; great grandchildren and lights of her life, Charlotte, Mackenna, Amelia, Allie, Sophia, Benji, and one on the way; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Shirley is preceded in death by her birth father, Ernest Anderson, who passed away when she was 18 months old; mother, Georgia Ratliff; and father who raised her, Rev. H. M. Ratliff.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. CST, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue with Rev. Charles Brown, II officiating. Graveside Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. EST, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Heidelburg Cemetery, Corydon, IN.

Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. CST, Monday, May 26, 2025, and from 9:00 a.m. until service time CST, at Boone Funeral Home East Chapel.

A Live Stream will be available beginning twenty minutes prior to the service time. Please visit www.boonefuneralhome.net, select Shirley’s obituary, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click View Video/Live Stream.

The family would like to say a special Thank You to the following for their compassionate care: best friend and confidant, Sam Lamar; close family friend, Judy Stovall; caregiver, Sylvia; the staff at Newburgh Health Care; Lisa and the staff at Heritage Hospice, and an army of warriors who supported her.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Samaritan’s Purse, World Hope International, and  Wesleyan Methodist Church of Evansville.

Boone Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Shirley Brown. Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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