Joy Ruth Brown

Joy Ruth Shaver Brown, 84, of Shreveport, LA, passed away peacefully with her treasured family by her side on Sunday, November 23, 2025.

Joy was born on January 11, 1941 to Ruth "Lorena" Shaver and William "Bill" Granvel Shaver. After Joy graduated Coushatta High School in 1958, she went on to study at Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana and later transferred to Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. Joy married her high school sweetheart, John Kirwen Brown, in 1959. Joy and John had two wonderful daughters, Mildred "Renee" and Leslie Ruth, all while continuing their studies at Louisiana Tech.

Joy graduated with a degree in Teaching in 1962 and started her 35 year teaching career in El Dorado, AR as a third grade teacher. Joy continued to teach primarily third grade through several relocations to Abilene, TX; The Hague, Holland; Carrollton, TX; and Slidell, LA, retiring in 1998. She was such an inspiration to many of her students who continued to reach out to reconnect with her in recent years. Upon John's retirement in 2003, the pair took advantage of their shared love of travel, exploring the world extensively. Joy and John moved to Sunnyvale, TX in 2008 to live closer to children and grandchildren. In 2023, John and Joy returned to their home state of Louisiana where they resided in Shreveport until both of their passings.

Joy will be remembered for the loyal, generous spirit and quiet grace that defined her life. She carried herself with a natural charm and kindness that made everyone feel at ease in her presence. Nothing brought her more pride than her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, whose accomplishments and joys she celebrated wholeheartedly. Guided by a deep and enduring faith, Joy was devoted to her church and to God, living out her beliefs through service. She gave tirelessly of her time volunteering in prayer groups and bible studies, helping with hospital care initiatives, and supporting family and friends in their greatest times of need.

Joy was predeceased by her husband, John Kirwen Brown; her mother, Ruth Lorena Shaver; her father, William "Bill" Granvel Shaver; and her daughter, Leslie Brown Staton.

She is survived by her daughter, Renee Brown Risinger (Gene) of El Dorado, AR; her son-in-law Robert "Rob" Staton, III (Vicky) of Sunnyvale, TX; her sisters Cheryl "Dawn" Heyl (Thomas) of Hico, TX and Gina Shaver Birdsong (Don Louis) of Coushatta, LA; her granddaughter, Amber Brown Hilfiger (Benjamin "Ben") of Muskogee, OK; her grandsons Robert Harding Staton, IV (Katie) of Sunnyvale, TX; Nicholas Clark Tanner of Austin, TX; Kirwen Jacob Staton (Brianna "Bri") of Dallas, TX; Brett Lee Clark (Haylee) of Grand Saline, TX; and her eight great grandchildren, Millie Dauphine Hilfiger, Rowelee Patrick Clark, Alice Kate Hilfiger, Roger Henry Hilfiger, II, Hewitt Brown Hilfiger, Cadlee Dawn Clark, Kirwen Michael Staton, and Leslie Ann Staton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Robert Staton, Kirwen Staton, Nick Clark, Brett Clark, Thom Heyl, Josh Heyl, Timothy Cannon, Ty Louis Birdsong, Hunter Brown, Ronnie Springfield, and Wyatt Heyl.

The family requests memorial donations be made in Joy's name to the Springville Cemetery (PO Box 1023, Coushatta, LA, 71019) or the American Cancer Society.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 12pm and 1pm, respectively, at First Baptist Church of Coushatta followed by interment at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta. Services under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.

The family invites all extended family and friends to join in a celebration of Joy's life with a reception at Coushatta Country Club immediately following the interment. Food and beverages will be provided.