Steven Wayne Brown, age 57, of Sheridan, Arkansas died on January 19, 2006, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Steve was born November 18, 1948, to the late George and Francis Brown. Steve gave his work life to public education. He loved children, and he loved to teach. He was a gifted teacher and administrator. His public school career covered 35 years. As the Assistant Superintendent of Sheridan Schools, he retired in June of 2005. His teaching career started in 1970 in Truman, Arkansas. Steve then spent six years in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and three years in Doniphan, Missouri. In 1981, he was hired as the Assistant Principal of Sheridan High School and then he became an Assistant Superintendent, where he worked for 18 years. Always ready for a new assignment, Steve served as high school principal in 1989 when a late opening occurred. He always said: "it was one of his most rewarding years." Steve's leadership was not only recognized on the local level, but also the state and national level. He was active in the Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum. He served as state president in 1989. For over 15 years, he served as the association's secretary/treasurer, as a board member, and as a key member of the state conference committee. Steve served on the national ASCD Board for three years beginning in 1989. In 2005, the Arkansas ASCD Board acknowledged Steve as the "glue" that had held the state conference together.

Steve not only taught school, but for years gave countless hours to his community through coaching Little League ball teams and teaching Sunday School classes and youth groups. For eight years, Steve did double duty by serving as Grant County's United Way Chairman and as a member of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce from 1997 to 2005. He was the Chamber's president in 1997.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jan Brown, one son and daughter-in-law,
Aaron and Krista Brown and granddaughter, Emma Grace, of Little Rock. He is further survived by his brother Phil (Donna) Brown, his sister Marilyn Johnson, mother and father–in-law A.G. and Betty Garner.

There will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, January 22, at 3:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church of Sheridan. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 357, Sheridan, Arkansas 72150.

Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870)942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.