Irene Brown

With family members present, Irene (Dunagan) Brown, passed away on November 14, 2025, at the age of 100 years at the Villages of St. Peters in St Peters, Missouri. Even though we grieve the loss of our loved one, we rejoice that she is now in the presence of our precious Lord and Savior. Irene Brown was born at home in Musella, Georgia on October 28, 1925, to Ruth and Benjamin Dunagan. Irene, the youngest of four children, grew up in Musella, Georgia. Throughout her childhood, she attended services at Musella Baptist Church. As a child, Irene accepted Jesus as her savior and was baptized at Musella Baptist Church. At an early age, Irene worked as a counter of peaches at Dickey Farms in Musella, Georgia. The peach boxes were then loaded onto the train for shipment. After graduating from Crawford County High School, Irene moved to a boarding house in Atlanta, Georgia where she attended business school and worked for Nehi Corporation and Sears, Roebuck and Company. Her modes of transportation were walking or riding the Atlanta Streetcar to school and work. Irene met Thomas (Tom) Bassett Brown on a blind date, and their relationship continued through mail correspondence while he was serving in the Navy. Irene and Tom Brown married on May 19, 1945, in Fort Valley, Georgia, and they spent their honeymoon in Perry, Georgia. After marriage, they lived in Athens, Roswell, Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia. Irene was a devoted wife to Tom for 60 years, and she was a devoted mother to their three children, Patricia (Pat), Larry, and Buddy. While working as a homemaker and raising her children, she also served in church ministries. Irene was a member of Cloverdale/Holt Road Baptist Church where she spent many years teaching Sunday School classes, working in Vacation Bible School and serving in other areas of the church. Irene was known for her hospitality and creativity. She often hosted Sunday School parties and gatherings for friends and family. She was known for her beautifully decorated elegant tables, her delicious food, and her special touch in preparing handmade gifts for each of her guests. Irene later worked as a secretary at Cloverdale/Holt Road Baptist Church, and she worked with the Cobb County Extension Service in Marietta, Georgia. In 2009, she moved to Belleair Beach, Florida where she enjoyed many years walking the beach and collecting seashells. She was a member of Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Largo, Florida. She enjoyed the friendships that she made in both her Sunday School Class and in the Super Stiches ministry group. She contributed to the Super Stitches ministry by sewing beautiful pillowcases that were donated to various charities. In October 2022, she moved to O'Fallon Missouri to live with her son, Buddy, and his family. During her years in Missouri, she enjoyed sewing, puzzling, playing games, and going on occasional outings with the family. She will be remembered for her great smile, her laugh, and her witty sense of humor. Irene was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Benjamin Dunagan, husband, Thomas (Tom) Brown, two sisters, Lulabel Bentley, Elizabeth Baxter and brother, Henry Dunagan. Irene is survived by children, Patricia (Pat) Tillery, Larry Brown, and Richard Allen (Buddy) Brown (Michelle), her grandchildren David, Cathy, Lindsey, Savannah, Brittany and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 12:00 -1:00 PM on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Mayes Wards Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia. The funeral service will follow on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Mayes Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse.