Stella ‘Tiny’ Brand

Stella “Tiny” Mae Brand, 79, of Sullivan, MO, passed away peacefully at home, Friday, March 5, 2021, surrounded by her family. 

Stella was born in Sullivan, MO, March 15, 1941, to Lester and Zaddie (Hulsey) Thurmond. She grew up and attended school in the Sullivan area. On July 15, 1959, Stella was united in marriage to Kenneth Johnson, Jr. and to this union four children were born: Jack, Linda, Shelia and Michele. They later divorced. She was an extremely hard worker while raising her family as a single mother. Eventually, she remarried, but later divorced. For many years, she worked at LaPee’s Grocery Store, but Stella was especially well known for her cooking. She worked to provide meals for the hospital and area nursing homes. Her last job was at Kiddo’s Corner, where the kids would say, “she was a good cooker!”

Stella had many interests, including word search books, crocheting, feeding her squirrels and watching her television shows, “Law & Order”, “The Price Is Right” and “Murder She Wrote”. She also loved her fur babies, Lenny, Sammy and Penny. Most precious of all was her children and grandsons, whom Stella loved very much. She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Stella is survived by her children: Jack Johnson (and his wife, Connie) of Affton, MO, Linda Cuneio (and her husband, Dean), Shelia Savant (and her husband, Tubby) and Michele Busse (and her husband, Mike), all of Sullivan; two grandsons: D.J. Cuneio (and his wife, Lydia) and Ryan Cuneio, all of Sullivan; and a sister, Laverne Thurmond of St. Louis, MO.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Zaddie Thurmond; and a brother, Bruce Thurmond.

Services  was held at 11a.m., Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Kyle Phillips officiating. Burial will be at I.O.O.F Cemetery in Sullivan.  

Visitation was from 4  p.m. to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at the Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in Stella’s memory may be given to Sullivan HALO.

Condolences may be shared with Stella’s family online at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan, MO.