Shirley P. Brown

Shirley is survived by her devoted husband of sixty-six years John Smallwood Brown, Sr.; her four sons John (Elizabeth), Michael, Guy (Cindy), and Bill; her eight grandchildren Jessica (Jason), Stephanie (Dave), Chase (Alicia), Joey (Kelsey), Preston, Christian (Nataliia), Johnny, and Darien; and her six great grandchildren Jonathan, Mia, Stella, Keegan, Grayson, and Hailey.

Shirley accomplished more in life than most, as proudly detailed below. The most rewarding accomplishment is the way she conducted herself as a good Christian woman and treated all she knew with respect. She won many over with her warm, beautiful smile and the way she raised five boys (her four sons and husband) along with graciously handling everything else life brought her way.

Shirley Pauline Gould was born and raised in the Boston area of Massachusetts, the only child of her father John A. Gould and mother Mary S. Gould. She graduated from Christian High School in Cambridge, MA in 1954. After graduation, she worked as secretary to the president of Reuben H. Donnelley Corporation’s Yellow Pages in Washington, DC.

In 1956 she married John S. Brown, Sr., whom she met on a blind date set up by good friend Jane Gibson. John and Shirley’s first home was an apartment in DC, a few blocks away from John’s parents’ home. The first of their four boys, John Smallwood Brown Jr. was born in June 1957. They moved to Takoma Park, MD in 1958 just before James Michael was born in December 1958. Guy Stephen and William Albert were born in March 1961 and August 1962, respectively. Shortly after Guy’s birth, Shirley went to work for Congressman Huddleston of Alabama for a few months and was invited to join the staff of a sitting senator from Arkansas; she refused the offer since all the children were so young.

In 1965 the family moved to Upper Marlboro, MD where they lived for twelve years. While in Upper Marlboro, Shirley earned her real estate license and wrote a weekly column in The Enquirer-Gazette. After two years she went to work for Prince George’s Community College in the Purchasing Department, where in nine years she became the supervisor for multiple departments. She served for two years as Secretary of the Washington, Maryland, & Virginia Association of the countrywide Physical Plant Administrators until she left the employ of the college in 1977.

In that same year the family moved to Little River, SC where Shirley started as an Insurance Secretary in the Firm of Jackson Realty and Insurance Company in North Myrtle Beach, SC.

In February 1980, Shirley received a certificate from the South Carolina Fire Academy for completion of forty-two hours in Firefighting Fundamentals and was a volunteer fireperson in Little River.

In 1983 she again earned her real estate license and was employed by Senator Ralph Ellis of Ellis Realty Company in Little River; in 1986 she earned her broker’s license.

She received a Certificate of Appreciation in 1988 in recognition for her service as an Officer and Director of the Little River Chamber of Commerce.

In 1989 she was commissioned by the State of South Carolina to be a Notary Public signed by Governor Carroll Campbell.

In 1990 Shirley opened her own real estate office called Small Woods Realty. The name is a take-off from the family name of Smallwood and the name of a small townhouse development in which the whole family was involved. Half of the office was used for “The Runaway,” John’s charter boat activities until 1997.

In 1991 she was presented a plaque for many years of hard work and support as the Director and Chairman of the Arts and Crafts of the Little River Blue Crab Festival.

In 1992 she received a plaque from the Little River Water and Sewerage Co. for twelve years of dedicated service as Director and Corporate Secretary of the company.

Shirley was interested in politics from age 15 when she helped her mother in the Stackpole election in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1950. In 1996 she became a charter member of the Little River Republican Women’s Club, and from 1978 to 2000 was a poll worker at all local and statewide elections.

Shirley and John were members of the North Myrtle Beach First Baptist Church starting in 1978; she was a member of the Senior Choir and a charter member of the Friends in Christ Sunday School Class. She was a leader of a club of Acteens, young ladies of the church whom she carried throughout the county singing Christmas carols outside the homes of the elderly. In recent years, Shirley and John were dedicated attendees of Pleasant Plain Baptist Church.

In the mid-1990s, Shirley’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease began. At the time, science and medicine’s estimation of the disease’s progression was less than ten years. Surprising to none who knew her spirit, Shirley surpassed all expectations and thrived for more than twenty years.

This longevity is in part due to John and Shirley walking nearly every day in the North Myrtle Beach Walmart for more than ten years — the Walmart family is part of ours, and we are extremely grateful for their love and support. The same can be said for the extended family members at Chick-fil-A, Bojangles, Capt. Juel’s Hurricane Restaurant, Boaters Supply, and the many other spots they frequented.

It would be unthinkable to not acknowledge the incredible sacrifice and service of Shirley’s husband John. He truly was the sole caretaker of Shirley until the end. His unconditional and undying love irrefutably carried her to the end of this life. She gave so much to others and loved everyone so well, it was her time to receive that back — their love gave each other strength. They have inspired so many, and their legacy of love will continue to do so for years to come.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider making a tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://tinyurl.com/y6zvmkhw) in honor of Shirley.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 pm on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 in Lee Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Pleasant Plain Baptist Church, Hwy 57, Little River, SC. Burial will follow at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens, Little River, SC 29566.

Shirley’s Life Verse

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7