She was born January 31, 1916 in Muncie, Indiana, to the late Frank and Ethel (Tillman) Tilden from Ansonia. She was married in Maysville, KY., August 6, 1940 to Richard C. “Pete” Brown who preceded her in death after 55 years of marriage.
She is survived by a son and daughter- in- law, Richard T. “Dick” and Dianne Brown of Greenville, and two granddaughters, Brandy Kay Brown of Columbus and Betsy Renay Brown, who currently lives in Mexico.
Kay attended elementary school in Greenville and graduated from Wyoming (Ohio) High School in 1933 and was their oldest living graduate. She graduated from Balthaser’s Business School and attended Miami University in 1933 and 1934 during the Depression. She was a legal secretary for John Maher, Vernon Marchal and Howard Tillman attorneys.
Along with her husband Pete, they owned the Central Drug Store, opposite the Court House from 1946 to 1967. Kay also worked at McVay’s Sporting Goods on Broadway from 1971 to 1987, with Pete, Roland Brinley and son Dick, who owned the business.
Kay served as a Director and the major stock holder of Rest Haven Nursing Home until it was sold in 2003. Kay was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority for 70 plus years and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 64 years.
Kay once stated that she never wanted to live anywhere else but Greenville. Because of her love for Greenville and history, she served as a Director and a major benefactor of the Garst Museum (Darke County Historical Society) and served on many committees. She was Secretary for the Annie Oakley Committee in its early years. She commissioned five original paintings of the historic Fort Greene Ville for the Garst Museum; all painted by local Revolutionary period artist Hal Sherman.
Late in life, Kay was a local GPAT television “Star” receiving many positive comments about her great knowledge of Greenville history. These post card shows from her personal collection, with Kathleen Floyd aired on Channel 5 a few years ago.
The family would like to thank the dedicated team of care givers who allowed her to remain in her home and brightened her final four years. They are the best. She also enjoyed and looked forward to her daily visits to the Maid-Rite.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday March 21, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Presbyterian Church 114 East Fourth Street Greenville, Ohio with life-long friend Pastor Peter Menke officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday March 20, 2014 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home 1499 N. Broadway Greenville, Ohio, as well as one half hour prior to the services on Friday in the church.
It is the wishes of the family that Memorial Contributions be given to the Garst Museum.
Condolences for the family expressed through---www.zecharbailey.com
