Arloine "Barlee" Brown

Having lived a life full of love, and one devoted to faith, family, friendship, and service, after 101½ years, Arloine “Barlee” Brown went to be with the Lord on July 30, 2022. She passed away peacefully with family by her side.

Barlee was born to Eugene “Gene” and Mildred “Milly” Boyk at the home of her grandparents, E.J. and Mary K. Boyk, on Jan. 22, 1921, in Rocklyn, Wash. She was the third child of four, with siblings Leland Boyk, Adeline Schmidt, and Lois Brown. In 1926, her family moved to “the old ranch,” 8 miles south of Davenport, where her parents farmed for 30 years and she spent most of her childhood. She attended the Rocklyn School, Camp Country School, and Davenport School. With its small number of students, her ability to ride to and from on horseback, and the freedom involved, the Country School provided especially fond memories. Her high school class chose Davenport’s mascot and she sketched the original and subsequent iterations of the Gorilla, some of which are still in use. Following graduation in 1938, she attended Morse Beauty School in Spokane while working as a live-in nanny. She later worked for Mr. Pankey’s Barber and Beauty Shop in Davenport. Throughout her life, Barlee recounted stories about her wonderful time living in the country and growing up at the old ranch.

The Boyk family was very close-knit, loving, and supportive, and their home was warm and welcoming. The family valued education and Barlee could read upper-level books even before attending school. They loved family group activities including listening to the radio, playing games and sports, and singing together as a family (children, parents, and grandparents). As they say in the song, you really could hear them singing for a country mile!

Barlee and her sister, Lois, performing as the “Boyk Sisters” or “the Darlings of Davenport,” entertained for many years throughout the region. Beginning in 1939, they were regulars on the KHQ Radio show, “The Old Time Party” on Saturday nights, and they also had an early morning weekday show called “Ben and the Girls” with Ben Lindberg. World War II brought the cancellation of these shows, but Barlee and Lois continued to sing on the radio for a good 15 years following the war, as well as perform at a multitude of events, fairs, and granges into the 1970s. Reflecting on this Barlee said, “Lois and I were lucky. We got paid for singing – something we would have done for free!”

In 1940, she married the love of her life, Ralph Brown of Spokane, her brother’s friend from college, and to whom she was married for 60+ years. Barlee liked to quip, “Ralph loved my parents so much, he had to marry me as part of the bargain.” Ralph worked as a fireman in Spokane, a physical trainer during WWII, and spent 33 years as a teacher, coach, and school administrator. They lived in Spokane, Palm Springs, Calif., and Lind, before returning to Davenport in 1958. They had four children, Merrily, Dewey, Jerry, and Marita.

Barlee was a loving, supportive, and devoted mother. She made every day special, particularly holidays and birthdays. She decorated the house to the extreme for each holiday (especially Christmas). She threw wonderful birthday parties, complete with hand-drawn artwork on each party favor. She created amazing Halloween and dance costumes, sometimes at a moment’s notice. She also volunteered her services at school and beyond, including being a homeroom mother, party organizer, 4-H helper, Cub Scout leader, PTA Treasurer, and more.

Barlee was a devout and life-long member of the United Methodist Church. Beginning in childhood, she and her sisters often sang special solos, duets, and trios in church. They sang in the choir as they grew older, something Barlee continued in Lind. She taught Sunday School, was the Sunday School Superintendent, held offices in the Women’s Group and Eve Circle, and served as the Church Financial Secretary for 12 years. She often organized Vacation Bible School, Mother-Daughter Banquets, Christmas programs, and Church Bazaars, and was always baking, sewing, and creating crafts for church fund-raisers.

She also gave to the community, serving on the Election Board for 25 years and at Care and Share for 25 years, including serving as its President for many years. In 2009, Barlee was honored to be the Grand Marshal of the Pioneer Days parade in Davenport.

Barlee was always positive, upbeat, energetic, and fun-loving, had an enchanting smile and genuine zest for life. Her favorite activities included singing, riding horseback, drawing, reading, playing cards, gardening, camping, and doing anything outdoors. She and Ralph maintained large, beautiful, park-like gardens at their home where they hosted many memorable family gatherings. She loved spending time visiting with family and friends. Barlee and Ralph took their children camping and traveling around the country, something they continued in their retirement. They especially loved camping at the ocean (at Kalaloch, Wash.), and traveling to visit family, national parks, historic sites, and attend professional baseball games and musical performances.

Barlee was preceded in death by her parents Gene and Milly; siblings Leland, Addy, and Lois; husband Ralph; sons Dewey and Jerry; and many aunts, uncles, and friends. She is survived by daughters Merrily Deardorff of Spokane; Marita (Brad) Cardinal of Monmouth, Ore .; grandchildren Steve and Janice, great-grandchildren Sabrina and Spencer, and great-great-granddaughter Zara (all of Spokane); and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service will be held at the Davenport Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. Donations may be sent to the Davenport-Edwall United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 716, 201 6th Street, Davenport, WA 99122.

Please sign the online guestbook at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.