Sherrill Arlene Brown

Sherrill Arlene Brown (Slaubaugh), daughter of Calvin and Martha Slaubaugh, passed away on June 25th, 2026 in Sarasota, FL at age 75. 

Sherrill was born May 17, 1951 in North Dakota where she attended Wolford School before moving to Goshen, Indiana. She graduated from Bethany Christian High School, class of 1969. Sherrill started her career in the banking industry at the First National Bank in Goshen, where she went on to work in several trust departments. 

Sherrill married her husband of 55 years, Thomas, in 1971. They raised their two children, Jim and Kimberly, on the country dirt roads of Elkhart where they have great memories designing and building their own home. The house down the long lane was not only full of love, but also the sound of Jim’s drums banging in the basement and mini motorcycles racing through the yard. Sherrill tended a large garden where Kimberly frequently came to steal strawberries, followed by a sip of water from the hose, then jumping on the trampoline with Jim, John or Roy until dusk. Sherrill and Tom always made it all about the kids, they truly gave their children and any children around them a magical childhood. 

In her mid life, in support of Tom’s dream and her daughter Kim’s passion for gymnastics, they opened Brown's Gymnastics, where they positively impacted the lives of many youth in Elkhart County. 

Sherrill succeeded in her goal of relocating to Florida later in life, when she and Tom moved to help care for her parents in their old age. In Sarasota, she continued her career at a local bank while simultaneously being a homemaker. She quickly became a friendly face at the local dance studio, where she spent a lot of time supporting her daughter Kim and her granddaughter Morayah in their love of ballroom dance, making great friends along the way. Many nights were spent meticulously bedazelling costume dresses. 

Sherrill was known as a loving mother figure, not only to her own children, but also to her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in-laws. She never had an empty home. She helped to raise her nieces and nephews Roy, John, and Kathy, then spent most of her later years helping raise her grandchildren (Amber, Alexandra, Kaylee, Lane, and Morayah) and more recently, regularly cared for her great grandchildren. 

Sherrill’s hobbies included gospel music, crafts, thrifting, and playing card games with her siblings Elvin, Ron, Weldon, Kim, and her cousin Wanda. She loved taking old or broken things and making them new again, such as painting and repurposing furniture and knick knacks. You could often find her phoning her sister and best friend ChloAnn, and also her children and grandchildren, wanting to know every detail of their lives, no matter how small. She always made everyone around her feel wanted and these calls showed how much she truly cared. She always had an answer for all who sought her advice. 

Sherrill was the glue that held everything together. She attended every family reunion, dance recital, play, game, graduation, and any other event that needed a cheerleader. She showed her love through creating costumes, organizing, coordinating, and making sure everyone got to where they needed to be. She always seemed to have an endless supply of energy, enthusiastically giving her love and time to those around her.

Sherrill touched the lives of many. She was everyone’s listening ear. She was frequently described as a “mini Martha Slaubaugh”… sweet, kind, and loving. Her faith led her life and she sought to follow the example of Jesus Christ. She was always ready to help and truly lived her life for others. Sherrill was such a bright light who warmed many hearts. She will be so deeply missed. 

Sherrill was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Martha Slaubaugh and her brother Kerry Slaubaugh. She is survived by her husband Thomas Brown; her children Jim Brown (Sarasota, FL), and Kimberly Brown (Sarasota, FL); her siblings Elvin & Iona Slaubaugh (Wolford, ND), Ron & Dorothy Slaubaugh (Rugby, ND), ChloAnn & Jim Stalter (Goshen, IN), Bryan & Cindy Slaubaugh (Wolford, ND), Weldon & Nancy Slaubaugh (Englewood, FL), Kim & Sue Slaubaugh (Ocala, FL); her grandchildren Lane Brown, Kaylee Brown, Amber & Jason Quintanilla, Alexandra Salvagni, Morayah Ige; and her great-grandchildren Julian, Leo, Lincoln, Nora, Louie, Mariana, Colt, Weston, and Wyatt.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 5, 2026 1:00 PM at:
Your Traditions Chapel

2118 Constitution Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34231 

(941) 921-4247 

Please also join us for a Celebration of Life Breakfast on Monday, July 6, 2026 9:15 AM at:
Der Dutchman Amish Kitchen
3713 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL

All those who wish to attend, we would be so happy to have your presence at one or both events. Family, friends, acquaintances are all welcome.