Lauren Kay Brown

Lauren Kay Brown, a resident of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away on May 6, 2023 at her home, at the age of 44. Lauren was born on April 14, 1979 in Stillwater, Oklahoma to Robert Thomas Brown and Patricia Kay (Purcell) Brown.

Early in life it was discovered that Lauren had a very curious and creative mind. She used to take her little sister's mechanical toys apart to see how they worked with a promise to reassemble them in working order. It took her naive younger sister years to work out that her toys never functioned again. As she grew into a high school student, her love of poetry was born and she won many state and national poetry competitions throughout her high school years. When Lauren came into adulthood, her love of learning and creativity continued to blossom. Her mind now craved information about all things, but one thing in particular...food! Lauren loved all things culinary. She had stacks and stacks of cookbooks she would read for enjoyment. Lauren now had fulfilled her lifelong need to be creative and curious through food and her loved ones were VERY appreciative.

Lauren graduated from Yale High School in 1997. Several years later, in 2001, she received her Bachelor's degree in English from Oklahoma State University; followed by receiving her Master's degree in 2009 in Early Childhood Development from University of Central Oklahoma. Lauren taught kindergarten at Grove Valley Elementary School in Edmond from 2009-2010. She taught Early Childhood Education at St. John's Episcopal School in Oklahoma City from 2011-2017. On December 10, 2019, Lauren married Mason Sommer in Eureka Springs, AR.

Beyond her love of food, she adored cruising with her friends...in a car or boat, side by side, golf cart or 4 wheeler. Her love of fireworks and bon fires was unmatched. Lauren could be happy having a living room dance party, eating a very smelly bleu cheese, building a complicated Lego arrangement, playing games with her family, or gazing at a sunset. She loved life and wanted to learn all she could about it. To say Lauren will be missed is an understatement. To everyone who knew her well, there will forever be a Lala sized hole in their hearts and lives. She was one of a kind. Her full body laugh, dry sense of humor and sharp wit will be missed by many.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Roy and Billie Sue Purcell, Yale, OK; grandparents Carl and Charlene Brown of Yale, OK; cousin Lance Purcell of Broken Arrow, OK; and Roxy, her adored Pomeranian companion.

Lauren is survived by her husband Mason Sommer of the home; her mother, Kay Brown and step-father, Howard Echo Hawk of Piedmont, OK; father, Bob Brown of Kingman, AZ; sister, Alana Johnson and husband Jeff of Piedmont, OK; a nephew, Carter Johnson and a niece Ayla Johnson of Piedmont, OK; stepson, Tanner Sommer and wife Ashlynd of Yukon, OK; stepdaughter, Cora Sommer of Bethany, OK; uncle, Lon Purcell of Yale, OK; cousin, Holly Landsdown and husband Chris of Ocean Springs, MS; cousin, Nick Warnock of Springfield, MO; aunts, Susie Purcell and Gloria Stone of Oklahoma City, OK; uncle, Jack Purcell of Woodward, OK; beloved pets, Dungey and Cici; as well as other extended family and many good friends.

"When Lauren's family reached out to me and asked if I would help write her story, I was honored beyond means. I had the privilege of calling Lauren one of my dearest friends and she knew I would give her a kidney if she needed one. I had the pleasure of watching Lauren teach at St. John's Episcopal School in Oklahoma City. I will never forget meeting Lauren. She was interviewing for an early childhood position and my first impression of her was "Wow, she's amazing. I don't think she'll take the position for what I had to offer in salary." After we toured the building I offered her the position. Without pause, she said, "I think this is where I want to be." Her skill and expertise were incredible, and her students adored her." Joe Norton, former headmaster at St. John's Episcopal School and longtime friend of Lauren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to McElyea & Owens Funeral Group of Shawnee.

She is Gone
Author Unknown

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you cannot see her,
Or you can be full of the love that she shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you could do what she would want:
Smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

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