- Date Of Birth: June 10, 1957
- Date Of Death: May 20, 2019
- State: Illinois
When I have thought about heaven, I have always come back to that song, “I Can Only Imagine”. On Monday, May 20, 2019, I left this earth and walked through those beautiful gates. I no longer have to imagine.
Some of you may think my journey was cut too short, but it was a journey planned out by God and it was His perfect time I come home. This journey started on June 10, 1957 when I was born to my parents, Pastor Paul Brown and Fern Lofland. Over time I had several brothers including Phillip (Betty Sue) Brown, Matthew (Robin) Brown, Steve (Connie) Smith, Dennis (Marianne) James and Greg (Laura) James. As the only girl, I had to be tough, which served me well later in life.
On July 12, 2003, I married Jay Zanton. Now some of you probably believe I should be awarded sainthood for that act. Even my husband would say he married way over his head, but I believe God saw it differently and matched us perfectly. When we married, we created an immediate household of children, not his or her children, but our children. I was blessed previously with two sons, Adam (Lisa) Brothers and Chase Evans, both now deceased, but who now wait just beyond those gates. I have three daughters, Jacee (Logan) Anderson, Jaylyn Zanton and Jerica (David) Connor. I also was blessed with a son, Jayme (Kate) Zanton.
Jay and I also enjoyed our foreign born sons when we hosted them as foreign exchange students. Leo, Carlos, Ilyas, Andrea and Luka were then and still are a part of our family.
On to grandchildren! Yes, it is great to be a Lala. Before Adam passed, he gave me two beautiful grandchildren, Alexis Brothers and Aiden Carrico. Then Jacee blessed me with a granddaughter, Baylor Buchanan. Like most of you grandparents out there, they made my heart full.
I have several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts and uncles and so on who also blessed me with their spirit and love.
Unlike some people, I loved and adored my in-laws, William and Linda Zanton, who took me in as one of their own. I now get to visit my father-in-law, who passed away just a couple months ago.
I was diagnosed with Lupus shortly after my marriage to Jay and several other sister ailments along the way. I struggled, but with the love shown by many of you, and the toughness instilled by my brothers, I endured and got to experience the joys of life. I enjoyed my Rock Church family and praising God, sitting on the front porch of the house admiring my flowers and watching our dogs. I enjoyed Sunday afternoon drives in the convertible. I loved working with my hospital family at St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for 35 years in cardiology. Most importantly, any time spent with family was precious time.
My journey on earth is over, but my eternity in Heaven begins. I will wait by the gates for each of you when your journey ends and pray that God blesses you as He did me.
