Myrna (Wilkes) Brown

Myrna Wilkes Brown 88, formerly of Afton, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023 of causes incident to age and complications from Parkinson’s, at her home in Las Vegas, NV., surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Afton, WY. on February 24, 1935 to William Edgar Wilkes and Lillie Fluckiger Wilkes, the fifth of their six children. Myrna was raised and educated in Afton schools throughout her young life, years she would describe as ‘idyllic’ in spite of the hardships and privations of the Great Depression’s later years and the second World War. She graduated from Star Valley High School in 1953, where she participated in many school activities including dance and cheerleading, and married her high school sweetheart Lynn Rainey Brown of Fairview on September 8, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. Myrna and Lynn continued their education at Utah State University in Logan, UT. where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in English/Education. At USU, she was a member of the Honor Society Phi Beta Kappa and an original member of the Aggiettes. After graduation, she and Lynn returned to Afton where they both taught at Star Valley High School before relocating to Salt Lake City, where Lynn enrolled at the University of Utah School of Law. Myrna continued her teaching career at Lincoln Junior High in the Salt Lake District where she was a popular young teacher and mentor. She continued her career in education while supporting Lynn’s law career and raising their growing family, throughout career relocations to Logan, Utah and back and forth between Star Valley and Salt Lake. She taught at South Cache Junior High in Hyrum, UT., and Irving Junior High in Salt Lake City, returning to Lincoln County District to teach for several years at both Star Valley Junior High and High schools and finally, back in Salt Lake at Riverview Junior High where she was Utah Teacher of the Year from the Murray School District. During her second tenure in Star Valley schools, she was also runner-up for Wyoming Teacher of the Year. Aside from her love of teaching, Myrna’s passions were her five children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She selflessly put aside her career on many occasions to offer support and encouragement wherever needed, never missing an opportunity to attend one of her progeny’s successes be it a graduation, athletic event, missionary or military departure or homecoming. She loved music, great books, writing and travel. Throughout their careers, she and Lynn traveled throughout the country for career conferences and leisure. After retirement, they traveled to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Iceland. She was a lifelong, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and fulfilled many church callings. Myrna is survived by her husband of 69 years, Lynn R. Brown, five children, Jeffery (Colleen) Brown of Cottonwood Heights, UT., Laurel (Clark) Stromberg of Las Vegas, NV., Mitchell (Tricia) Brown of Soda Springs, ID., Steven (Kim) Brown of Visalia, CA., Matthew (Olga) Brown of Las Vegas, NV., sisters Carol (Wilkes) Gardner of Afton, and Jeanne Wilkes of Bountiful, UT., nineteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Lillie Wilkes, sister Helen (Wilkes) Johnson, and brothers Boyd and Nord Wilkes. Services will be held at the Afton Stake Center at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023.