Shirley Ruth Bryan Brown, died December 18, 2020 in Stone Mountain, GA, after a brief illness. Shirley was born to Thomas Cortez Bryan and Velma Ruth Turner Bryan, on May 10, 1935, in Elbert County, GA.

She grew up in Goldmine community, in Hart County, and graduated from Hartwell High School in 1953. She attended North Georgia College, where she met Richard Brown. She transferred to the University of Georgia, graduating in 1957, with a degree in Home Economics, Clothing, and Textiles. She was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

Shirley and Richard were married in November 1957. They had a daughter, Patricia, born in Munich, and a son, Richard born in San Francisco. Because they were an Army family, Shirley lived in Germany three times, San Francisco, Oklahoma, Kansas, Georgia, and Virginia. Always a leader in each community, she adapted easily and lead numerous activities. She left a favorable, indelible mark on several spiritual communities, but especially The First Baptist Church, Columbus, GA and Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA.

After her children were grown, she was employed for fifteen years, in the Central Intelligence Agency. In November 2019, they returned to Georgia to reside in Park Springs Retirement Community, Stone Mountain, GA.

Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband of 63 years, COL (RET) Richard W. Brown; daughter, Patricia Smith (Greg); son, Richard (Lisa); grandson, Dallas Cox (Elizabeth); great-granddaughter, Dorothy Manora Cox; sister, Elizabeth Winn (John); and nephew, Bryan Winn (Liesel).

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Shirley Ruth Bryan Brown will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel. Dr. Chris George will officiate the services. The family will receive friends, prior to the service, from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation, in honor of Shirley Ruth Bryan Brown, to either Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church, VA, www.columbiabaptist.org or Smoke Rise Baptist Church, www.smokerisebaptist.org.

Due to the current COVID-19 regulations, our staff is committed to taking care of our guests and families that we serve. Please understand that we will be limiting the amount of people at our chapel for visitations and services. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and services to please bring and wear a mask.

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, a family company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.