Fumiko Shibata Brown

Fumiko Shibata Brown, 97, passed away February 2, 2025, in Madison, Alabama. Born in Osaka, Japan on May 15, 1927, to Morichi and Miche (Takano) Shibata, Fumiko was known for her zest for life, her charismatic personality, her creativity, her strength and determination, and the ability to make friends wherever she went. She loved her family deeply, only surpassed by her love for God.

Fumiko graduated with a degree in art from a women’s university in Tokyo, Japan, and was also an accomplished seamstress, running her own alterations and custom sewing business in her 60s and 70s.

Following World War II, Fumiko worked in her great-aunt’s orphanage to learn the skills needed to be a missionary to China. Little did she know her future husband would be one of the American soldiers who took orphans out for day trips through the Army chaplain’s office. Fumiko and Thomas H. Brown married, started a family and later returned to the United States.

After their time in the military, Thomas became a United Methodist minister and Fumiko spent more than 20 years as his partner in ministry throughout Central Illinois, where they touched hundreds of lives by daily living out their faith. Thomas preceded her in death.

Through the years, Fumiko was active in church activities, including United Women of Faith (and its predecessor women’s missionary organizations), and early racial reconciliation efforts at the national level of the United Methodist Church; led workshops in ikebana (Japanese flower arranging); informally consulted schools, organizations and governmental entities on Japanese culture; was active in the Arley, Alabama, Women’s Club, including as President; and enthusiastically engaged in helping improve her adopted hometown of Arley, after she and Thomas retired there. She was also a devoted grandmother, attending as many of her grandchildren’s activities as she could.

In addition to husband, Thomas, Fumiko was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Takahiko and Katuaki, her father-in-law, Herman Brown, mother-in-law, Dicie J. Brown, aunts, uncles, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Fumiko is survived by her sister, Yasuko Ito, son, Tom (Dawna) Brown, daughters Sharon Brown (Ed Harmeyer), Pamela (the late Charles) Molitoris and Patricia (Kevin) Glover. Her grandchildren are Krista (Daniel) Phillips, Tom (Lisa Cook) Brown, Mykie Brown, Patrick Brown, Charles T. Molitoris, Suzanne Glover and Sabrina Glover. Fumiko’s great-grandchildren are Noah Fore, Trevor Brown, AJ Brown, Lexi Brown, Seth Phillips, Jude Phillips, Colin Brown, Lily Brown and Tommy Brown. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, as well as cousins in Japan.

Memorials may be made to the Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207.