Mishelle Brown (Areaux)

LIFESTORY:

Carefree and outgoing, Mishelle Brown was a loving, giving woman whose beautiful smile made even the gloomiest of days seem bright. She offered warmth of heart and had a personality all her own, often captivating those in her company. Mishelle treasured those close to her and loved her family deeply. Her absence will be filled with hearts remembering her with love.

The year 1960 ushered in a decade filled with new ways of thinking. With an emerging sense of freedom, skirts got shorter, hair got longer, and man walked on the moon. The Vietnam War was at the forefront of politics, headlines, heartache, and peace movements while racial tensions soared. Young people made their voices heard through demonstrations, and it seemed as if an age of innocence were being lost. In the midst of these ever changing times, there was one thing on the hearts of Carmen (McKee) and Larry Areaux, Sr., which was the May 1, 1960 birth of their beautiful baby girl, Mishelle.

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Mishelle was a year and a half old when she became the big sister to her little brother, Larry. When she was three, her family moved to St. Charles, Illinois where they made their home. She was a "girlie" little girl who treasured her baby dolls, and shared a special closeness with her grandparents. Mishelle was a very outgoing young girl, and loved everyone and everything. Her brother never had to speak for himself because she did all the talking for both of them! She experienced an enjoyable childhood for the times, and while attending the local schools, was a friend to many.

Mishelle was 11 years old when her parents divorced, and when she moved with her mom and brother back to Michigan, settling in Portage. With her outgoing personality, ready smile and bubbly nature, she made many new friends. In school she played the flute in the school band at Portage Northern High School where she continued to naturally draw others to her side. A typical girl, she dreamed of romance and read many romance novels and watched soap operas when she was young. However, as a young teen, Mishelle developed a chronic disorder causing seizures which set her back in school. Although it was a huge disappointment, she wasn't able to graduate with her class.

When Mishelle was able, she moved out on her own to find herself and discovered love. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, she met and married Angelo Rivera, and on August 24, 1981 she gave birth to twins, Brandon and Anastasia. Born extremely premature, they sadly died a few short days later. It was understandably a devastating time for Mishelle, yet in 1982 she was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Marlana. Savoring every moment with her, Mishelle remained at home with her baby girl, but in the meantime her marriage had come to an end.

Mishelle found love again, and although they never married, she and Carlos Rolon were together for many years. Their relationship also brought her the joy of having another child when her son, Tyler came along. During this time, Mishelle began working at an insurance agency and fulfilled her desire to earn her long awaited GED. For a time she took a few junior college classes, but found herself to be a very busy single mother on top of working full-time.

She filled her free time with her love for cooking. Mishelle would try her hand at anything and enjoyed her vast array of spices to experiment with. She was proud of her kitchen and loved sharing some of her delicious meals with friends and family. Clothes shopping was one of her favorite pastimes, too. A pretty woman, she was always well put together, and especially liked shopping at Fashion Bug.

In 2004, Mishelle was introduced to a fellow named Jim Brown. As sparks began to fly, they shared much in common and fell deeply in love. On September 22, 2007, they were joined in marriage in Grand Rapids and began their new life together. Having spent most of her adult life living in Grand Rapids, she worked as an administrative assistant for Underground Computers until Jim's work found them moving to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina three and a half years ago.

Mishelle thought being a grandma was simply the best. Her grandkids brought her great joy, and her love for them was unconditional. She adored spending time with her grandchildren the best, along with family and friends, too. Always fond of the Christmas season since she was a little girl, it soon became the ultimate holiday as she made sure it was extra special for her family. She was one of those thoughtful people who found time to send Christmas cards to friends past and present, as well as family near and far.

A few of Mishelle's favorite groups included the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. She liked going to the casinos where blackjack was her game, and taking in a movie was always a fun time. She enjoyed doing a little traveling with Jim here and there, and her outgoing nature found her fitting in well wherever they went. Extremely personable and pleasant, whether Mishelle was running into someone she knew, or meeting new friends, she always greeted everyone with her beautiful smile and was happy to be in the company of others. Even though her stubborn streak surfaced at times, she had a way, no matter the circumstances, of making the best of every situation.

And so it was when Mishelle began feeling ill around two and a half years ago. She tended to brush her ailments off as this or that, and continued to live each day with a positive attitude. She suffered some days, and in the end, her illness was more than she could overcome. At the age of 52, Mishelle Brown, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, went to be with her heavenly father on Friday, June 23, 2012 at home with her family and loves ones at her side.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service to celebrate Mishelle's life will be held Tuesday, July 3, 2012, 2:00 PM with visitation beginning one hour prior at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson–Paw Paw; 60900 M-40 Highway (657-3870) with Pastor Tom Abbott officiating. Mishelle's final resting place will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mattawan, Michigan where the remains of her precious twins will be buried with her and forever by her side.

Mishelle is survived by her husband, Jim Brown; children: Marlana Rivera and Tyler Rolon Rosado; grandchildren: Emery, Michael, Kileigh, Xavier, Emma, and Grace; her parents: Carmen (Darold) Gustafson of Paw Paw and Larry Areaux Sr. and Margaret Dilger of Punta Gorda, Florida; her brother, Larry Areaux, Jr.(Josephine Babbitt-Harrison); mother-in-law, Jane Brown; niece, Angie (Ron) Wilmath; great nieces: Alicia and Elaina; Mishelle's best friend of 33 years, Karen (Curt) Johnson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Along with her twins Brandon and Anastasia, she was preceded in death by her grandparents: Max and Ethel McKee, Duane and Maxine Areaux. Please visit Mishelle’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory, photo and sign her online guest book before coming to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.