Neva Peral Brown

Neva Brown

Neva Pearl Brown, 86, of Livonia, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, MO, on Tuesday, November 11, 2104. She was attended by her loving family and her husband of 70 years.

Neva Pearl (Stockton) Brown was born in Chapel, MO, on March 25, 1928, the daughter of Herman Cecil and Gracie May (Garr) Stockton, who preceded her in death. Neva was premature at birth, weighing 2 ½ pounds, and even then showed a determined spirit that stayed with her the rest of her life. She attended Oak Grove and Livonia schools and she married John Gerald Brown in Lancaster, MO, on August 8, 1944. Neva and Gerald started married life in western Putnam County after Gerald returned from the service. They lived there two years before moving to the Livonia area where they spent most of their married life. Neva loved farm life, most of all because she liked to be with Gerald, working and sharing their lives together. She had her own sheep and ran the farm each summer when Gerald went to summer Reserves camp for two weeks.

Neva was an important and involved member of the Livonia community all of her life. She was past president of the Baker-Sparks Legion Auxiliary #575, a 4-H leader, past Worthy Matron of the Hartford Easter Star, and past president of the Unionville/Livonia Extension Council. She was also a member of the St. John Cemetery Board, a member of the Putnam County Genealogical Society, president of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society and a member of the Livonia Baptist Church. Neva was baptized in the Chariton River in 1947. She taught VBS and Sunday School. Neva worked with the local election judges and also took EMS classes. One of her fond memories was her trip to Europe with daughter Lora. Neva liked to read, draw, crochet and write short stories. She loved her family and was proud of the 70 years spent with her husband.

Neva is survived by her husband and four children: Son Gail (Velma) Brown, daughters Bonnie (Brian) Munden, and Lora Dodsworth, all of Livonia, MO, and Mona Wood of Unionville, MO. Surviving grandchildren are Lynette Hicks, Cara (Todd) Vice), Bradley (Angela) Munden, Shawna (George) Head, Jennifer (Guy) Roberts, Barbara (Caleb) Stewart, Tim (Kristin) Wood, Joshua Dodsworth, Audrey Dodsworth, Hannah Dodsworth, Erinn Dodsworth, and Emma Dodsworth. Her step-grandchildren are Casey Snethen and Jimmy Snethen. Twenty-one great grandchildren, three step-great –grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren also survive as well as two sisters, Mary (Joe) Wells of McCalburg, IA and Diana Perkovich of Kelly, IA.

Neva was also preceded in death by a brother, Basil Stockton, and two grandsons, Matthew Brown and Christopher Brown.

Funeral services will be held at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 15, 2014. Visitation will be Friday, November 14 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Interment will be at the St. John Cemetery, Livonia.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.