Gail Brown

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Colleen Gail Richardson Brown, age 90, died in her own home after enduring a long illness.

Gail was born on September 5, 1935 in Glendale, California to parents Terrence Patrick Richardson and Lucille Hubbell Richardson of Los Angeles, California. Her employment history includes working in Los Angeles at the California Osteopathic Association, the Auto Club of Southern California, and ABC Paramount Records. In Joplin, she worked at Natural Shoulder, Peace Lutheran Church, Parkview Animal Hospital, Cedar Vale Substance Abuse, Chamber of Commerce, Joplin Adult Basic Education, and Joplin Neighborhood Adult Literacy Action (Joplin NALA). 

Gail had many joys in life. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and plants. She loved caring for her precious pets. She loved to travel. She used her many gifts in service to others by singing in the church choir and serving on the church board. She spent hours volunteering at Crosslines and giving generously to causes important to her. 

Gail opened her home to American Field Service (AFS), welcoming students from Australia, Ecuador and Denmark. She enjoyed hearing the laughter of her children and grandchildren during her backyard swimming pool parties. Her love language was gift-giving, and she often completed her Christmas shopping in October. And always the hostess, she would keep a candy dish stocked with York Peppermint Patties for any and all visitors. 

Gail is survived by her daughter, Linda Lee Brown Dishman and spouse Darren Dishman, her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Brown Koehler and spouse Gregory Koehler, her son, Christopher Arnold Brown, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she deeply loved and who dearly loved her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Arthur Brown, and her son, Douglas Arthur Brown. She is also preceded in death by her parents and her half-brother, Willard Michael Call.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO