Colista Ann Overstreet Brown

YAKIMA - Colista (Kay) Ann Brown passed away peacefully on March 5, 2014, in Yakima, WA. Born August 22, 1929 in Mountain Grove, MO to Nellie and Percy Everts, Kay was later adopted into the Ira & Margaret Overstreet family.

Kay attended school in Selah up until her junior year, then transferring to White Swan when her father took the job of Superintendent there. In both Selah and White Swan, Kay was very active. She served on the cheer squad at both schools. After high school, Kay attended Washington State College, and was affiliated with Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Kay was married to Donald Miller Brown, her high school sweetheart, from 1949 until his passing in 1991. Together they had three children, Doug, Dave, and Karen. She spent her early married years working alongside her husband on their fruit ranches in Yakima and Grandview. In addition to being a mother, Kay was an ambitious worker, holding various jobs, including positions in the finance industry, Yakima Chamber of Commerce, KIMA TV station, and at Dyna Drill, and Petrolane in California.

She attended First Presbyterian Church in Yakima where she shared her talents in working with the Hispanic and Native American communities. She also served with World Vision and was involved in the Amity Club.

Kay married Ben Johnson, a devoted friend and husband, on May 1, 2008. They made many trips traveling the world together, and had a passion for fine dining. A particularly memorable trip was to Germany and Switzerland. They also enjoyed collecting antiques together. Kay and Ben enjoyed planning and hosting many Selah High School class reunions at Kay’s home in Selah.

Kay is survived by her husband, Ben Johnson, her sons, Doug (Kristin) Brown of Selah, Dave (Joanne) Brown of Spokane, and daughter Karen (Leonard) Schmitten of Wenatchee. She also leaves nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and two brothers: Bob (Myrna) Overstreet of Everett, and Perry (Mike) Overstreet of Vancouver, Washington, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was loved by all her family and certainly will be missed. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don, and her parents, Ira and Margaret Overstreet.

The family would like to thank the caring staff of The Ellen House AFH, as well as the staff of Memorial Hospital and its Hospice facility, Cottage In The Meadow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who wish to honor Kay’s memory; donations can be made to The Ellen House AFH, Cottage in the Meadow, or a charity of their choosing.

A memorial service will he held on Tuesday, March 11 at 1:00 at Yakima Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church. A private family inurnment will precede the memorial.

To share a memory of Kay, visit www.keithandkeith.com.