Elva Nell “Shortie” Brown, 86, of Greenfield passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025. She was born on September 2, 1939 in Murl, Kentucky to Leslie and Essie (Bell) Upchurch. Elva worked for Chrysler Corporation for many years, and also worked for Warren Township schools serving in the lunch room of various schools. She also served as a school bus monitor for several years before retiring. Elva enjoyed going to garage sales and shopping, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and loving her seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Elva was well known (at least to her immediate family) for making her homemade graham-cracker pie. She loved watching football and basketball on TV and cheering on the Colts and Pacers. Most importantly, she loved to share her personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Elva was always on the move and could outwork just about anyone with the exception of her own siblings. Throughout her life, she maintained the cleanest house on the face of the earth.
Elva is survived by her daughters Daphne LeAnn (Stephen) Hansen and Stephanie Annette (Brown) Martin, and son Daniel Wayne (Jennifer) Brown; grandchildren, Liana (Nathan) Walden, Bethanie Martin, Shelbie Martin, Cameron (Tricia) Hansen, Hannah (Lucas) Garza, Taylor Brown, and Matthew Brown.; great grandchildren Gabriel Walden, Betty Sue Hansen, Selah Walden, Zaiah Walden, and Wayne Hansen; sibling, Eula VanNote, several nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
In addition to her parents, Elva was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Otis Wayne Brown, and siblings Edna Upchurch, Edith Ramsey, Eunice Barnes, Elsie Upchurch, Ethel Marcum and Ernest Upchurch. Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Flanner Buchanan – Memorial Park, 9350 E. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN. A celebration of life service will immediately follow at 2:00PM. A private graveside service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery
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