Merilyn Audre Brown Obituary (2025)

Merilyn Audre (Sanders) Brown, 89, of Sequim WA, passed peacefully on January 18, 2025. She was born on December 17, 1935, to Frank and Ferne Turner in South Beloit, Illinois. The fourth of seven children including Bob, June, Lucille, Gene, Janet and Dorothy. Mom moved to Yakima as a teenager where she met and married Dad, John D Sanders Jr. on March 17, 1953, and was a loving wife for 35 years until his passing in 1988. She was a wonderful mother to three children, Debbie, John III and Brenda. Mom was a hard worker and enthusiastic person with an entrepreneurial spirit. She worked as a head waitress at the Dragon Inn, Golden Wheel and Andy's Place restaurants for 34 years. She also owned her own business as a baker and cake decorator. Mom enjoyed arts, camping, fishing and hunting with the family. Many fond memories were made spending the weekends with family and friends at O'Sullivan Lake fishing and playing cards at Mardon Resort. Mom and Dad were early members of the Yakima Valley Timberwolves Jeep Club. She was the artist that designed the original logo for the club. She also painted artwork for her bosses, Benny and Suzy Kwong that hung in the restaurant. She adored and collected Chinese figures and art. In her early 50's she began studying the Bible and was baptized as a Jehovah's Witness and became a full-time minister sharing the good news of Gods Kingdom. She met and married Curtis Brown in 2003 and they moved to Sequim, Washington in 2016 to be near Debbie and Don. Merilyn is survived by her children, Debbie and Don Franklin of Sequim (Angel, Trisha, Tiffany, Felicia, Crystal, Donny) and John and Jenise Sanders of Moxee (Heather, John IV, Michelle), 20 great grandchildren, sister, Janet Friday of Selah, sister in laws, Silvia Hatley and Gloria Hamilton of Yakima, brother in law, Lewis Eidsmoe of Covington, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, second husband, Curtis Brown of Rowlett, TX and his seven children, Curtis Jr., Donnie, Keith, Kenneth, Terrance, Tonny, Katrina and their families. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Frank and Ferne Turner, mother and father-in-law, John and Almira Sanders, first husband, John D Sanders Jr., daughter, Brenda Sanders Herrera, brothers, Bob and Gene Turner, sisters, June Brady, Lucille Case and Dorothy Eidsmoe, brother in laws, Cebe McCart, LeRoy and George Sanders, sister in laws, Violet Amsden, Bonnie Kaiser and Wanda Benge. Merilyn's wishes were to be cremated and laid to rest with her first husband, John Sanders Jr. at Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima. The family would like to thank the Swedish Hospital teams of doctors and nurses for the loving care and support that mom received over many years, especially Dr. Peter Demopolus. We feel that God worked small miracles at times through Dr. Demopolus on Mom's behalf which gave us many extra years with her. We are so grateful for that time. We would like for friends and family to join us for a memorial at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses (2506 W Mead Ave. Yakima, WA 98902) on March 8, 2025 at 1:00 with a Reception to follow at the Fruitvale Grange, 2908 Castlevale Rd, Yakima. For those that can't attend in person, please join us on Zoom (Meeting ID: 6447251309 Password: Nobhill) Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.brooksidefuneral.com