Stanley Ray Brown

Stanley Ray Brown, 71, of Marion, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on October 21, 2025.
Stan was born on August 4, 1954, to Kenneth and June Brown, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved in-laws, Carolyn and Kenneth Rushing, and his sister-in-law, Kendra Ferrari.
Stan is survived by his devoted wife of 49 years, Karen Brown of Marion, Illinois; his daughter, Megan Brown of Baltimore, Maryland; and her partner, Thomas Murray, also of Baltimore. He is also survived by his sisters, Janet Potts and husband Gary of Vandalia, Illinois, and Vicki Newcom and husband Phil of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews: Tiffany Summann of Charleston, South Carolina; Danielle Newcom of Los Angeles, California; Chad Ferrari and wife Brandi of Nashville, Tennessee; Jarrod Newcom and wife Kim of Woodland Park, Colorado; Nichole Ferrari Hamm and husband Chris of Nolensville, Tennessee; and Andrew Marks and wife Shelly of Urbana, Illinois. He is also survived by great-nieces and nephews Wyatt, Josie, Martin, Makayla, Denon, Owen, Levi, Cole, and Eden; great-great-nieces and nephews Ezechial, Melody, and Elijah; Special Uncle Leonard Gentry who will miss him; along with special friends near and far, who are like family.
A proud graduate of Herrin High School, Stan went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Child and Family Studies from Southern Illinois University. He later completed a master's degree in Religious Education and Social Work from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois. He was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and dedicated his career to helping others through his work in adoption, children's homes, and the Smart Start program in North Carolina. Go Dawgs and Fighting Illini!
Stan's compassion, humor, and steady presence left a lasting impact on everyone he met. He will be remembered for his kindness, quick wit, love of music, and special fondness for hummingbirds-symbols of joy and resilience. He was known for his basketball skills-making three-pointers before they were even three-pointers-and he spent many happy days fishing and swimming at the Marion Country Club pool. His faithful furry companions, Penny Lane and Savanah, were always by his side.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00 PM, at Zion United Church of Christ in Marion, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Illinois (National Alliance on Mental Illness), honoring Stan.