Corinne D. Brown

IN MEMORY OF: Corinne D. Brown Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois Corinne D. Brown, age 100 of Anna died Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. She was born May 18, 1924 in Russell, KY, the daughter of James and Ethel Beare Durrett. She was married on June 28, 1947 to Billy J. Brown to whom she was married 58 years before he passed Nov. 24, 2005. Mrs. Brown was a band director and music teacher in Union County Schools with a career spanning over 40 years. During this time, she taught students ages K-12 in classroom music, Junior and Senior Band, and Orchestra. She was at Dongola Unit School 30 years, Jonesboro 1 year, and Cobden 7 years. Highlights of her teaching career were leading the first ever invited Illinois band ever to perform at the Kentucky Derby, and participation in the Philadelphia and Washington, DC July 4th celebrations. She was selected as 1971 “Leader of American Secondary Education” and 1980 recipient of Those Who Excel Award. She served as a cooperative consultant in music education for the State of Illinois in 1977-78: served as consultant for 1979 music leadership summer program at SEMO State University: and had served on the Illinois State Board of Education Region Five Arts Education Committee for the lower 32 counties from 1982-1989. Corinne was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Dongola, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and a 50-year member and past worthy matron of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Brown not only achieved numerous awards and recognition over her life but her biggest achievement were all the students she taught, cared for, believed in, and loved. Her influence with all students is a lasting memory of the Best Teacher Ever and that she truly cared about them. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Jane Brown. Survivors include niece, Linda (Jerry) Jones, nephew J.C. (Judy) Brown. Funeral services for Corinne D. Brown will be Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 1:00 PM at Crain Funeral Home in Anna with Rev. Cherie Riedel officiating and eulogies by friends. Interment will follow at Christian Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until 1: 00 PM on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Crain Funeral Home in Anna. Flowers are welcome, but Corinne requested memorial contributions in her honor be made to Christian Chapel Cemetery, the Dongola Lutheran Church, or P.A.S.T. Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.

Corinne D. Brown

May 18, 1924 - February 15, 2025