Ray Brown

Rayburn Brown, 87, of Poplar Bluff, MO, passed away Sunday, October 04, 2026, at his home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

Ray was born on October 8, 1938, to Otto and Addie (Plunkett) Brown in Morriltown, Arkansas. He married Susan Carol (Miller) on August 19, 1978, in Homer, Nebraska.

Ray's family relocated to the Missouri Bootheel as a child. He graduated from Wardell High School in 1957. After school, Ray farmed in the area for several years before relocating to Troy, Missouri where he began his career as an over the road truck driver. Ray retired from trucking in 2000 and moved his family to the Poplar Bluff area shortly afterward. Ray and Susan became active members of Palace of Praise Church and Ray was named an elder of the church.

In his younger years, Ray was quite a baseball player and even tried out for the Cardinals Baseball team at one point. He remained an avid baseball fan and followed the Cardinals throughout his life. Ray also enjoyed hunting, especially quail hunting with his cousin Guy.

Ray is survived by his wife, Susan Brown; son, Steve (Jaynanne) Brown; daughter, Beth (Jeff) Wilson; two brothers, Jim Brown and Robert (Mary) Brown; sister, Faye Schipper; five grandchildren, Steven, Cody, Holly, Ryan, and Kevar; nine great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Malica Maifeld.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 09, 2026, from 11:00am-12:00pm at Palace of Praise Church. Funeral service will follow beginning at Noon. Burial will take place at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, Missouri.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Mr. Ray Brown. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.