Shirley Chappell Brown

Mrs. Shirley Chappell Brown, 90, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2026. Born November 16, 1935, in Surry County, Shirley was one of five children born to the late Floyd W. and Novella Adams Chappell. She was raised in Mount Airy and graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1954. On September 6 of that same year, she married the first and only love of her life, Walter Taylor Brown, Jr., beginning a devoted marriage that spanned more than 71 years. Shirley was a faithful Christian woman who loved the Lord with all her heart and devoted her life to her family, her church, and serving others. Saved and baptized in 1947, she became a lifelong member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where she faithfully served in many capacities through the years, including secretary, treasurer, clerk, and Sunday school teacher. Her gentle spirit, steadfast faith, humility, and kindness were evident to all who knew her. She was a loving wife and devoted mother and grandmother whose life reflected grace and quiet strength. She is survived by her husband, Walter Taylor Brown, Jr.; a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann and Jon Lattimore; two sons and daughters-in-law, Todd and Sherry Brown and Jud and Ava Brown; five grandchildren, Olivia Collins and her husband, Joseph, Victoria Stone and her husband, Gray, Mitchell Brown and his wife, Sydney, Robert Brown, and Nathan Lattimore; four great-grandchildren, Finn Collins, Henry Collins, Penelope Collins, and Harrison Stone; a niece, Phyllis Whitaker; and four nephews, Sam Chappell, Troy Chappell, Jr., Bruce Chappell, and Craig Carrick. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Gloria and Claude Carrick; and three brothers and sisters-in-law, Lonnie “Bun” and Dot Chappell, Troy and Eula Chappell, and Otis and Goldie Chappell. A service of worship and celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Mark A. Reece, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the funeral home. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the love and compassion shown by the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and by Shirley’s personal caregivers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017.