Florence Irene Brown

Florence Irene (Wessel) Smitherman Brown was born on January 9, 1950, in Goff, Nemaha County, Kansas, and joined her Savior on July 1, 2026, in Louisburg, Missouri. She was the third of nine children born to Henry Vincent and Gertrude Elizabeth (Akin) Wessel. Florence lived on the family farm in Nemaha County until 1965, when the family moved to Dallas County, Missouri. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1968. On July 13, 1968, she married Sim T. “Smitty” Smitherman. Together, they had three children: Linda K., Sim Jr., and Brenda Lee. She worked at Key Industries, as a bookkeeper for a propane company, at Litton, and as a supervisor as the U.S. Post Office in Springfield. On May 25, 1991, she married Bill Brown, who survives at home. Florence was a fabulous cook; her grandchildren would not eat anyone else’s green beans. Her chocolate sheet cake and apple crisp were often requested at family dinners. She was also a wonderful teacher, passing along many skills to her children and grandchildren, including reading, filleting fish, crocheting, baking, snapping beans and peas, picking walnuts, and quilting. A talented quilter, she used her longarm machine to create treasured heirlooms. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. She was reunited in Heaven with her daughter, Brenda Lee Thomas; her parents; brother, Clet Wessel, and grandson A.J. Arnold. She is survived by her husband, Bill Brown; her children, Linda K. (Jeff) Jensen of Lansing, Kansas, and Sim T. (Kim) Smitherman Jr. of Louisburg, Missouri; her sisters, Anna Segenhagen, Betty Vest, Teri Sherman, Rita Yunghans, Emma Krogmann, and Julie Wessel; her brother, Fred Wessel. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Renee (Justin) Becker, Tiffanie (Brandon) Smith, Sim T. (Anna) Smitherman, Whitney (Dion) DePaolis, Cortney (Andy) Vaughn, Aaron (Janna) Arnold, Jacob (Emily) Wright, and JJ Jensen; and ten great-grandchildren: Landon, Cayden, Loch, and Gryffin Becker; Jace and Blaine Smitherman; Jamison and Lyndie Vaughn; Carlo DePaolis; and Emory Arnold. She will be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 12 pm at the New Hope Baptist Church with pastor Lennon Ellis officiating. A time of visitation will be held at the church from 10 am – 12 pm. Following all services, Florence will be laid to rest at Louisburg Cemetery in Louisburg, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, Missouri.

Florence Irene Brown

January 9, 1950 - July 1, 2026