Not many can say they lived just a few years shy of a century, rode a camel to the Pyramids, rode an elephant in Thailand, dipped their toes in the Dead Sea, climbed a volcano in Hawaii, and traveled the United States in an RV, but Dessie Pearl Hatfield Brown did all of that and more. She was born to a poor family in Arkansas in 1922. She excelled in school and after graduating, enrolled in business school. She never left the state until she climbed onto a bus, at the age of 19, and headed to Kansas City. She married the love of her life, Don Hatfield, later that same day and began an adventure anyone would be envious of. Dessie and Don had four children, who produced eight grandchildren, and eventually six great-grandchildren. After Don’s death, she married Jim Brown of New Jersey, and her family was enlarged by two more adult children. Her family increased by more grandchildren and great-grandchildren as her children and grandchildren, continued to marry and bring more family into her life.
Dessie’s plain upbringing meant that she stayed slim and active all of her life. She was able to wear the same swim suit for at least 30 years, mainly because she never learned to swim and only wore it to sit by the water. She was an excellent cook and her lemon meringue pies and pineapple upside down cakes were favorites at family gatherings. She was a prize-winning quilter whose many beautiful quilts are cherished by those who received them as gifts. She was also an accomplished seamstress, creating clothing for herself and family members for many years. She enjoyed traveling and at age 95 took her first cruise ever, journeying to Alaska with her children and their spouses. At 82 years old, she began taking tai chi lessons to keep active until COVID-19 ended in-person meetings. Her instructor praised her enthusiasm and dedication in her classes. She loved to read and always had books by her bed and next to her chair. She was very proud of her grandchildren and loved visiting with them in person or on the phone.
She was a small business owner, a two-time widow, a gardener, a baker, an amazing quilter, but above all she was a woman of God. She faithfully attended the Platte Woods United Methodist Church for many years and enjoyed her Sunday School classmates and the fellowship of other seniors at luncheons and games.
Dessie was born in Fayetteville, AR to Samuel and Elsie Freiley. She married Donald H. Hatfield in 1941 in Kansas City, MO. After his passing, she married James A. Brown in 1973. After raising her children, she became self-employed as a hairdresser for 9 years and worked in the fabric department at Riverside Red X for 14 years.
She is survived by her sons James E. Hatfield (Marcia) and John S. Hatfield (Janet); daughters Lucy E. Large and Jean Hatfield; step-children J. William Brown (Leah) and Margaret Haas (John). She leaves behind 12 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Dessie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Donald H. Hatfield and James A. Brown, and grandson Mark Vandahl.
Graveside services are planned for Saturday, Mar. 6 at 2:00 pm at Floral Hills Cemetery, Raytown MO. Memorials may be sent to Platte Woods United Methodist Church or the Northland Quilters Guild, PO Box 46654, Kansas City MO 64188-6654.
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