Kenneth Brown

Kenneth R. Brown, 84, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

One of five children, Kenneth was born Oct. 14, 1931, in Jackson to George R. and Rosebud Shaner Brown. Rosebud passed away a few weeks after Kenneth's birth, and his paternal aunt, Betty Brown, raised him on the family farm northwest of Jackson in the Brookside Community.

Kenneth attended the former McFerron Grade School in the Brookside Community and was a 1949 graduate of Jackson High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955, and served overseas in the Korean War.

Kenneth and Peggie Hawkins were married Sept. 19, 1959, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

He worked 30 years in the Southeast Missouri area as a meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1996. He farmed his entire life, until recent failing health rendered him unable to work.

He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158, both in Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of 56 years, Peggie Brown of Jackson; three sons, Kenneth Roy (Helen) Brown, Kevin R. (Connie) Brown and James R. (Kelley) Brown, all of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Matt Brown of Kansas City, Missouri, Alison Keiper of San Francisco, Jennifer Brown of Springfield, Missouri, and Adam Brown, Olivia Brown, Aaron Brown and Duncan Brown, all of Jackson; two siblings, Elizabeth (the late John) Moyle of Manchester, New Jersey, and Mary (the late Tom) Crites of Jackson; and a sister-in-law, Pat Brooks of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two siblings, Sybil (Emil) Loos and Roy D. Brown; and two brothers-in-law, T.L. and George W. Hawkins.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. An American Legion Honor Guard service will be at 7:30 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Fruitland, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association or New McKendree United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.