Shirley Gentry Brown

SHIRLEY BROWN

Shirley Sue Gentry Brown of Artesia, MS passed away peacefully on Saturday August 29, 2026 at the age of 91 at her home.

Born on March 7, 1935 in Octoc, MS, she was the child of W.A. Gentry and Thelma Gentry. She grew up in Crawford, MS and attended Crawford Elementary School and Brooksville High School, where she was elected homecoming queen. She worked at Seminole Manufacturing, as a switchboard operator, at the Crawford-Artesia Telephone Company, and later at Gentry Roofing with her husband, "Son", and her son-in-law Terry Atkins. She was a faithful member of Crawford Methodist Church.

In 1953, Shirley married the love of her life, W.G. “Son” Brown, and had three children, Bunny Atkins, Dee King, and Walter, “Bub” Brown. Together, they built a life filled with love, handmade crafts, travel, baseball, and camping. Shirley was known for her quilting, cooking and decorating for Christmas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, W.G. “Son” Brown, daughter, Dee King, son, Walter “Bub” Brown, son-in-laws, Terry Atkins and Moe King, and her siblings, Hilman (Junie) Gentry, Lewis (Eleanor) Gentry, Dub (Bea) Gentry, Malcom (Thel) Gentry, Merrill (Ava) Gentry, Gerald (Jewel) Gentry, Nuna (Jake) Bell, Pat Hust, Doris (Jesse) Bias, and Maybelle (Dan) Taylor.

She is survived by her daughter, Bunny Atkins, grandchildren,, Addie Talley, Anna Atkins, Mollie King, Katie Shappley, (Cody), Walter King, and great grandchildren, Gabe, Emma, Wallace, Willow, Nathan, Sunnie Kate, Lucas, Cade and Kendall, and siblings, Peggy ( late Jimmy) Phillips, Bille (George Gerhart), Noland, Micky (late Brenda) Gentry, and sister-in-law, Mavis (late Gene) Brown.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Danny Taylor, Darryl Presley, Gabe Talley, Nathan Allen, Josh Gentry, Cody Shappley, Walter King, Lucas Shappley, Lawson Brackin, Wallace Talley, and Cade Shappley.

Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, her church family, Mark Bolin, Wes Gibson, Gerry Gentry, John Thompson, George Gerhart, Teleah Carter, Dr. Brett Brown, Dr. Barry Bertolet, and Dr. James Woodard

Visitation will be held Tuesday September 1, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Crawford Methodist Church with the service following at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Daniel Talley. Burial will follow at Oaklimb Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials may be made to:

Oaklimb Cemetery Fund

% Peggy Phillips

P.O. Box 167

Crawford, MS 39743