Deborah Brown

SHREVEPORT, LA - Deborah Ann Dairy Brown was the beloved first child and only daughter born to Robert Lester Dairy and Lorna Doone Dorlac Dairy on July 16, 1934. She was predeceased by her parents and her two younger brothers, David Leo and Thomas Lester Dairy. She loved them (and their families) all dearly and joined them for eternity on July 22, 2018. She married Paul Herman Brown in 1955 and they had three daughters who survive her. Stacey Hand (Dr. Larry) of Shreveport, Jodie West of Denver, CO and Dr. Stephanie Snell (Dr. Jeff) of Bellevue, NE. The family lived in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, California, Massachusetts and finally in Louisiana as Paul moved up the management ranks with General Electric. She was "Deb" to her grandchildren Paul Hand (Erika) of Shreveport, Philip Hand (Lindsey) of Denver, CO, Emily Snell Moreno (Ivan) of Pasadena, CA, Matthew Snell of Omaha, NE and Allen West of Denver, CO. She had one great-granddaughter, Natalia Maria Hand, of Shreveport, as well as special sisters-in-law Betty Dairy and Janet Dairy and several nieces and nephews. A life-long learner, Debbie graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs and was later inducted into their Hall of Fame. She went on to the University of Colorado at Boulder where she was an active Kappa Kappa Gamma following in her mother's footsteps; received a Master's Degree from North Adams State College in North Adams, MA and a Ph.D. from North Texas State University in Denton, TX. Throughout her professional life she continued to attend seminars, workshops, classes and use every possible avenue to increase her knowledge and improve her skills in working with children and their families. She retired from Caddo Public Schools after working as a teacher, counselor, specialist, and principal. She quickly went back to work for The Gingerbread House as a counselor to the children, retiring just four years ago. Debbie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for most of her years in Shreveport. She taught Sunday School to children and adults and served on several governing boards. She also attended First Methodist Church. She was involved in numerous professional organizations related to the education and protection of children. She and Paul were in the very first group of Court Appointed Special Advocates sworn in by Judge Andrew Gallagher, and they remained active CASAs for many years. She was recognized as CASA of the Decade in 2005. Debbie was an avid reader and book collector and for as long as she could, she went to the movies with friends on Tuesdays. She also played the violin throughout her life and performed with both the Centenary Community Orchestra and the Marshall, TX Symphony. She loved bridge and any board or card game she could convince you to play. She always played to win! Her family is very grateful to Debbie and Paul's wonderful neighbors at Willow Ridge who helped them stay at home as long as they were able. When more support was needed, Dr. Tharwat Ghattas and the phenomenal staff of Magnolia Manor Rehabilitation & Long Term Care kept her as engaged and comfortable as possible and her husband, Paul, never left her side. Debbie's mother died of Alzheimer's disease and because of this she stayed active and continued to "exercise her brain" for as long as she could. In the end, she could not hold back this overwhelming disease forever. A memorial service honoring Dr. Deborah Dairy Brown will be held at the Marshall Street Chapel of Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Friday, July 27 at 1:00 p.m. If you would like to make a gift in her memory, we would suggest the CASA Program of Volunteers for Youth Justice, 900 Jordan St., Shreveport, LA 71101, or the Alzheimer's Agency of Shreveport Bossier, P.O. Box 4038, Shreveport, LA 71134.