Deilah Joy Brown

Deilah Joy Brown, age 94, of Abilene, Texas (Former longtime resident of Sweetwater, Texas), passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Family will receive friends at the church before service time.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at Avondale Baptist Church with Rev. Kevin Shipp officiating. Burial will follow at Sweetwater Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Cate-Spencer & Trent Funeral Home.

Deilah Joy was born on June 22, 1931 to L.C. and Potsie Lankford in Sweetwater, Texas. She was welcomed into her heavenly home by her Savior, Jesus, on September 27, 2025

Known to many simply as Joy, she developed a strong work ethic at a young age and carried it through her life. On May 5, 1948, she married the love of her life, Jimmie Leldon Brown. Joy was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and a loyal friend to many. She dearly loved her family and especially cherished time spent together during family gatherings and holidays. Her strong work ethic and love for people shone through in her years as the owner of a beauty shop, where she not only styled hair but also lifted spirits and made lasting friendships.

Joy is survived by her children: Rickie Clinton Brown and wife Robyn, Larry Brown and wife Janet, and Dianne Looney. Joy is also survived by her son-in-law, Cliff Dent, husband of her late daughter, Denece. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jimmie Ray Brown, Trina Richburg, Tecka Heaps and husband Bryan, Richard Ferguson, Christi Riley and husband Dave, Shane Dent and wife Brandi, L.C. Ferguson and wife Misty, Lyndee Clark and husband Lewis, Kelly Melton and husband Cale, and Bo Brown and wife Amy. Her surviving sisters are Donna Nehring, Sherry Barnes and husband Steve, and Brenda Griffin. Joy leaves behind 21 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Jimmie Leldon Brown; her son, Jimmie Cecil Brown, her daughter, Denece Dent; her parents, L.C. Lankford and Edith and Potsie Crocket and Grover; her sisters, Jean May and husband Buck, and June Wells and husband James; her brother, Cecil Lankford and wife Dorothy; and her brother-in-law, Doug Nehring.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Wisteria Place and to the staff at Hendrick Hospice Care, both of Abilene, Texas, for the kindness, care and compassion shown to Joy.

Pallbearers will be Bo Brown, Shane Dent, Dave Riley, Max Ferguson, Tyler Winslett, Zachary Winslett, Hunter Mobley, and L.C. Ferguson.

Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Ferguson, Brandon Ferguson, and Cliff Dent.