Shirley Mae Brown, 85, of Montague, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019. Shirley was born August 24, 1933, in Grand Rapids, the daughter of John and Bertha Slaughter.

Shirley met Kenneth Lee Brown at a local high school where his men's quartette group and her ladies' trio were practicing.  Dad still loves to tell the story about spotting her that day. Shirley married Ken on February 4, 1955. They were blessed with 5 children and over 63 years of marriage. Together, they attended White Lake Congregational Church.

Shirley had a passion for singing, baking, gardening, and her Detroit Tigers. She enjoyed working at White Lake Greenhouse, in Whitehall, for many years and volunteering in the Adopt-a-Reader Program for Whitehall Elementary Schools.  Her children remember how visitors (mostly their friends) would just happen to arrive on Saturday afternoons, about the time six loaves of bread would be coming out of the oven; she was always happy to share.

Shirley loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always had that "I'm in Heaven" look when holding a baby, and all smiles when giving her grandsons their summer haircuts.  We can't think of a time that mom wasn't singing: duets with Dad, ladies' trio, church choirs, White Lake Chorale, singing Christmas carols at home with family and "You Are My Sunshine" to the many babies she held in her arms.  She could belt out a harmony to any song she heard.

Shirley kept a close eye on the Tigers baseball team, and her schedule often revolved around watching them on TV or listening to the game on the radio, which was something she did with her father as a young girl.  Shirley's children are proud to tell you they never heard their mom pass judgement or speak ill of any person, and she never complained about the challenges of life. Shirley was a kind, sweet, caring soul with an unwavering faith in God. She was soft-spoken and quiet, yet amazingly strong. She will be deeply missed.

We love you SM, Mom, Grandma & Great Shirley!

Shirley is survived by: her husband Ken; children, Lee Brown (Martha Colburn), Ellen McCrary, Eric Brown (Patty) and Mary Kriesel (Gary); grandchildren, Brook Schiller (Anthony), Jesse Brown (Jamie Kornacker), Wesley Brown (Stephanie), Ronald McCrary (Jonna Hersrud), Nicholas McCrary, Casey Jibson (Philip), Jason Kriesel (Molly), Richard Kriesel (Cara), and Kaley Anderson (David); 12 great-grandchildren; cousin, Marilyn Miles; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by: her son Ronald Brown; her parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Marian and Bob Zuelke.

Memorial services will be conducted at 12:00 PM, Saturday, February 9, 2019, at White Lake Congregational Church, 1809 S. Mears Avenue, Whitehall, with Pastor Donna Morton officiating. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until time of services at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan in Muskegon or White Lake Congregational Church.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, White Lake Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com