Garnett Kay Brown

Garnett Kay Brown, aged 88, of San Diego, California, passed away peacefully Aprill 11, 2026. Born September 12, 1937 in Linn Grove Iowa, to John Humphrey Cox and Clara Riley Cox. Garnett lived a life full of love and caring for her family, friends and her students. Garnett is survived by her son Curtis William Brown and preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Emmet Brown.

Garnett graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (ISTC) now the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa with a teaching degree. She was an elementary school teacher in the San Diego City School District for nearly four decades. She later attended Pepperdine University and received a Master’s degree in Education.

Garnett came to San Diego in 1961 with her husband after he finished his military service in the United States Navy. She was never fond of driving on San Diego’s freeways. She would tell the story of when Lyle tried to teach her how to drive on the freeway on the former U.S. Route 80 (now Interstate 8) in Mission Valley, there were no freeways near her home in Iowa at that time. He kept telling her to speed up and change lanes. She eventually got fed up, stopped the car in the middle of the freeway, got out of the car and told him to drive.

Garnett was a loving and caring person who enjoyed going out with her family and friends, reading and watching the Game Show Network on television. She also enjoyed visiting with her former colleagues and student.

There will be a viewing on Thursday May 14th at El Camino Memorial Park-Sorrento Valley from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM. The memorial service will be held on Friday May 15th at El Camino Memorial Park-Sorrento Valley from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. Her burial will be on Friday May 15th at 12:30 PM where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Lyle. If you wish to send flowers, please send them to El Camino Memorial Park-Sorrento Valley, Attention Garnett K Brown.