Opal Lucille Brown

Opal Lucille Brown entered the gates of heaven straight into the loving arms of Jesus Christ early the morning of December 30, 2021, just a couple months past her 104th birthday. Born the fourth child in her family, Lucille, as she preferred to be called, was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Cecil, who died at the age of 26 during an early flu epidemic, and her brother Otto and her sister Opha (Betty) who lived into their 90s.

Lucille was raised in the Seymour area, and graduated with the class of 1937. Following graduation, she moved to Springfield where she found employment at several places, her favorite by far being the O’Reilly General Military Hospital. She loved her job there, and spoke often of her time working in the Service Club. She was proud of her contribution to the cause of World War II, and up to her death displayed an American flag to show her pride in the United States. As a cashier at O’Reilly, she met many soldiers who came back from World War II injured and broken. It was here that she became acquainted with, and married one special soldier, Thomas E. Brown. Once the war was over, the couple moved to Idaho and while living there, their only child, Vicki, was born.

After moving back to Seymour a couple of years later, Lucille entered the work force again. The next several years found her doing secretarial work. She spent many years working in the office of the Seymour MFA where she made many friends from the surrounding farming community. Later she spent several years in the office of the Kentwood Arms Hotel, one of Springfield’s popular attractions at that time.

Lucille lived life with zest. Her wonderful, infectious laugh was heard often, and as her niece Linda remembers, could be easily picked out even in a crowd. Lucille was very talented. She had a beautiful soprano voice and often shared solos with the congregation of the Baptist church where she was a member at the time and she loved singing in the choir. She also played the piano beautifully by ear. In her retirement years, she had great fun playing in the church Ukulele Band.

Lucille is survived by her daughter, Vicki: three grandchildren, Ronnie (Deana) Box, Steven (Chanda) Box, and Gina (Halle) Adams: seven great-grandchildren Josh (Kylie) Box, Casey (Sam) Malone, Bailey (Canaan) Kindle, Madison (Jake) Boring, Adrian (Brandon) Lien, Skylar Adams and Miley Box, and two great-great-grandchildren, Aria Malone and Brenlynn Box. Also surviving are two special nieces, Joy Cotton and Linda (George) Loveland, and an extra-special great-niece and great-nephew, Rebecca Austin and Joel Loveland.

Her profound faith in God, coupled with her 80 plus year membership in the Baptist church, led her to the Baptist Home, Ozark campus where she spent her final years in assisted living. Lucille will be greatly missed by her many friends and relatives.