Karen Ellis Brown, age 81, a resident of Charleston, died Saturday, July 18, 2020 at her home.

Born September 26, 1938 in Cape Girardeau to Joe E. and Loiselle Fisher Ellis Jr. she grew up in Charleston, was a member of the First Baptist Church and a graduate of Charleston High School. At the age of 15, she spent the summer in Washington, DC where she studied ballet privately and became an accomplished ballet dancer.

On September 9, 1956 she married the love of her life, Dick W. Brown, who survives of the home.

She moved with her husband to various locations as he pursued his career with Sears Corporation. While living in Shelbyville, IN she worked as secretary to the High School Athletic Director and ran the school book store. While living in West Lafayette, IN she was the librarian at the Physical Education Department at Purdue University and secretary to several of it's professors.

In 1991 they returned to Charleston and she immediately became immersed in her church and community involvements, beginning with Vacation Bible School and becoming a  member of the "Piano Praise" team at First Baptist Church. She was an active member of Mississippi County Historical Society, the Molly French Garden Club, and Chapter CV P.E.O.   She possessed great talent in her needle point and cross stitch projects, loved working in her yard and in 2002 was honored by  Charleston's Lions Club as Charleston's Woman of the Year.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Christopher G. (Robin) Brown and Dee Brown all of Charleston; one sister, Deidre Ellis Reed, and one brother, Joe E."Mike" (Loretta) Ellis all of Charleston.

She was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Ellis Brown, and her parents.

Visitation will be held at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, from 10:30 am until the Funeral Hour at 11:00 am. Rev. George Nite, pastor, will officiate.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Mississippi County Historical Society, PO Box 312, Charleston, Missouri 63834.