Virginia Carolyn Vandiver Brown

Carolyn was born in Arkinda, AR to Clifford Shelton Vandiver and Mattie Louise Phillips Vandiver on June 28, 1933. She passed away June 8, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was a resident of Shreveport, LA.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 located at Rose-Neath Funeral Home-2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, LA 71118. Officiating the service will be Fr. James McLelland. Interment will be held at Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery- 8801 Mansfield Rd, Shreveport, LA 71108. Honoring Carolyn as pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Michael Leone, J.D. Brown, Marty Leone, Jessica Brown Rodgers, Christian Brown, Joshua Scott, Daniel Scott, Jared Brown, and Zachary Grill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Shriner’s Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Mattie Vandiver; husband, Billy Van Brown; son, William Thomas “Billy” Brown; and brother, William “Billy” Clifford Vandiver. Left to cherish her memory include her children, Suzanne Grill and husband Keith of Shreveport, LA, David Brown and wife Leta of Bossier City, LA, Mary Leone and husband Mike of Greenwood, LA, and Betty “Peanut” Scott and husband Jeff of Benton, LA; grandchildren, Michael Leone, J.D. Brown, Marty Leone, Jessica Brown Rodgers, Christian Brown, Joshua Scott, Daniel Scott, Jared Brown, Zachary Grill and William Walter “Wally” Hall Brown; along with 8 great grandchildren.

Carolyn was a member of the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans and had a very strong faith in God. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. She was comical and maintained her sense of humor up until the last day. She was very talented and creative. As a mother, Carolyn made all special occasions very special for her family and had the uncanny ability to turn something simple into something extraordinary. She would sew Barbie clothes and sell them for extra Christmas money. As an Avon Lady, she would ride her trusty bike to make deliveries. When her husband retired, he started doing wood work and she would do the painting. Carolyn was a volunteer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Food Pantry at St. Catherine of Sienna. She was a very giving person. She kept mints on her person at all times and used them as a “Thank you for your service”. She enjoyed going to the Estate Sales with her daughters and walked into each one with mints for all the workers. She became known as the “Mint Lady”.

Special thanks go to the staff at Progressive Care Center and to The Guest House. Also, to Ms. Evelyn Green for being such a good neighbor and friend. She checked on mother every day until she went into the Nursing Facility. Afterwards, she checked on us.

“I’ll be holding you in my heart and hugging you in my prayers.”