Joan (Burleson) Brashear

Joan (Burleson) Brashear, oh-so-devoted wife and beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother died peacefully in Temple, Texas, this past Monday January 6th, 2025. She had recently celebrated her 80th birthday. While it is with profound sadness we say our final goodbyes to Joan, we take joyful solace in the knowledge and belief she is together again with her life mate, her soulmate, her dear, dear husband, Arthur.

She will be sorely and lovingly missed by her three children Shelley Tomlin, Shannon Longfield and Arthur “Price” Brashear IV; her nine grandchildren, Haley, Edward, John, Max, Avery, Milo, Cinco, Hudson, Sydney and her great grandchild, Heidi Francis Drews.

Joan was born December 16, 1944, to Loyd Kenner Burleson and Martha Jean Burleson in St. Joseph, Missouri. The year of her birth being distinctive as Joan was known as a “war baby”and like many other children in those years would not meet her father until the war ended. Instead, she spent her first years with, of course, her mother as well as her beloved grandparents, Edward and Leone Clayton.

Soon, father, mother and daughter made the move south to Texas where over the next few years, four more sisters—Jean, Jan, Joy and Jill would form the Burleson’s of Temple. It was here Joan would meet her great friend Tootie and unbeknownst at the time, brother of Tootie and future husband, Arthur Brashear. Joan and Tootie were quite the adventurous duo (especially in 1960s Temple, Texas). There was the time Joan and Tootie decided to put on their mothers’ fur coats, over swimsuits no less, along with hats and sunglasses to give downtown a bit of a show. They were noticed all right. Hardware store owner, Mr. Laramie called Joan’s mother to say her daughter was “parading through the town…half naked.” (Innocent times indeed).

Another occasion where Joan tried her hand at dressing up, she decided to go as a pregnant woman…again, remember the times…to purchase liquor.

As Joan’s future unfolded and she met the love of her life, Arthur Brashear, she turned away from dressing up for comedic effect and started showing the flawless style and elegance for which she would become renowned. From the book, Grace Jones of Salado, the fashion icon and store owner contributes a passage that best encapsulates the timeless style of Joan Brashear:

“…Joanie met Grace very soon after the store opened. She was shopping for her wedding trousseaux and Grace’s store had been highly recommended. Joanie and her mother dropped by the store one day and fell in love with Grace and the store. Joanie appreciated the time and personal attention Grace took, picking out the most attractive pieces for her, ones that flattered her. Joanie was an unusual customer, already well poised and flawlessly beautiful. She didn’t need very much help to bring out her best qualities, but nevertheless, Joanie listened to Grace and usually followed her advice. Very soon after their first meetings, Grace asked Joanie to model in the next fashion show.”

A few short months later, Joan and Arthur Brashear III were married—November 7, 1965 to be exact, starting a romance that lasted 57 years, traveled the globe from Paris to New York to Tokyo; built a hugely successful business and brought three beautiful children into the world who then started their own families.

Yet for all the glamor and style, Joan’s children remember her for her love of needlepoint. As they tell it, “She could always be found under the dryer at the Peacock, enjoying a Tab (diet soda for you youngsters) with cheese and peanut butter crackers…stitching away.”

Services for Joan Burleson Brashear will be held as follows:

Visitation will be Friday January 10, 2025, from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at Christ Episcopal Church 300 N Main St, Temple, Texas 76501

Funeral services will be Saturday January 11, 2025, starting at 11:00AM at Christ Episcopal Church 300 N Main St, Temple, Texas 76501

If you would like to send flowers, please send to Christ Episcopal Church.