Ruth “Elaine” (Ayer) Brown, 90, of Kirksville (formerly of Lancaster), Missouri passed away at the Northeast Regional Medical Center on February 13, 2026.

The daughter of Emmet Faye and Ruth Florence (West) Ayer, Elaine was born January 5, 1936, in Schuyler County, Missouri. Elaine was united in marriage to Burl “Dean” Brown on August 22, 1953, at the Baptist Church in Lancaster, Missouri, and to this union three sons were born, David Dean, Dennis Lane, and Dana Ray.

Survivors include two sons, Dennis Brown and wife, Jeneen of Kirksville, Missouri and Dana Brown and wife, Laura of Kirksville, Missouri; six grandchildren, David “Ryan” Brown and wife, Stephanie of Lancaster, Missouri, Schuyler Dean Brown, Dustin Ray Brown, of Moravia, Iowa, Jenny Jeneen Alexander and husband, Nate of Columbia, Missouri, Amy Nicole Yocum and husband, Andrew of Albany, Missouri, and Gentry Nicole Paladino and husband, Anthony of Nashville, Tennessee, ten great grandchildren, Laine and Huck Brown; Rhett and Emery Alexander; Cole, Allison, and Raylee Brown; Katie, Rachel and Daniel Yocum; one great-granddaughter Prestlyn Brown; and a sister, Carmen Weilbrenner and husband, Rex of Moravia, Iowa.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents and one son, David Dean Brown in November, 1982.

Elaine was a member of the Hamilton Street Baptist Church in Kirksville, Missouri. She was a farm wife with all the responsibilities that entailed. She also was a childcare provider for many years for several children in the community. Elaine liked to cook, read, and do jigsaw puzzles.

Public visitation will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to the time of the funeral service 11:00 a.m. at the Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, Missouri with Pastor Tim Ingle officiating. Chad Tatro will sing musical selections including In the Garden and Amazing Grace accompanied by Tanya Tatro. Andrew Yocum will play Trust and Obey, which was a special song between “Bamma” and Raylee. Interment will follow the service at Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri.

Pallbearers include Ryan Brown, Laine Brown, Huck Brown, Dustin Brown, Cole Brown, and Nate Alexander. Honorary pallbearers include Andrew Yocum and Anthony Paladino.

Memorial donations in memory of Elaine may be made to the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri, and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.