Pauline Ellington Brown

Mildred Pauline “Polly” Ellington Brown, age 94, of Sharkey, Kentucky, passed away after a long-fought illness at her daughter’s residence in Salt Lick, Kentucky on Saturday, July, 25, 2026. She was born on April 10, 1932 in Rowan County, KY to Ina (Cox) and Espy Ellington. She was a dedicated wife of 42 years to her husband “Toddy” Brown whom she affectionately referred to as her “First Love”. Their union, both second marriages, presented a rather large blended family of “Yours, Mine, and Ours” with seven children. Polly loved being a mother to all of her children no matter how rambunctious they may have been. She instilled in them the importance of a good work ethic and a good moral compass. A devoted and outgoing matriarch of her family, Polly never met a stranger and had a wonderful and infectious smile and laugh. She was kind, good-natured, and grateful for everything in her life. She never missed an opportunity to go to the beauty salon, go camping, ride around just to admire the beautiful scenery and simple things in life, barter at a good yard sale, or go get an ice cream at the Frosty Freeze. Pauline was extremely talented when it came to home economic skills, such as sewing “yo-yos”, quilting, embroidery, and crocheting. She was captivated by bright colors and patterns as evidenced by her clothing, jewelry and wallpaper choices. She was an animal lover and had been a proud “dog mom” most of her life. Polly loved any type of flowers and had quite the green thumb when it came to gardening. She would always reap the rewards the garden provided by canning everything she could. When Polly was well enough, she loved to attend her church at Sharkey Baptist Church.

Growing up in a close-knit family, Polly was taught the value of a hard work ethic and the importance of looking out after your family. She was a hard-working woman and wore many occupational hats throughout her life, such as a waitress, Cowden’s Sewing Factory seamstress, worked at both laundromats in the Morehead area, a daycare worker, and along with her husband, Toddy, she ran the Brown’s Skating Rink in Muses Mill where all of the family, even the ones barely able to stand, showed off their amazing skating skills. Being a caretaker came natural to Polly. She loved kids and they were drawn to her so much that she became an entrepreneur. With the help of her daughters and loved ones, she opened her own daycare called Mother Hubbard’s Nursery in Morehead in the 80s. She became known as “Momma Brown” by many. After several years Momma Brown closed the nursery and began watching children at her home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Toddy” Brown, her parents, Espy and Ina Ellington, one son, Randy Brown, two brothers Dick and Ken Ellington, two grandchildren, James Eubanks and MD Fletcher, one great-grandchild, Maverick Jones-Calhoun, several brothers and sisters-in-law as well as two sons-in-law, Mike Marlow, who affectionately referred to her as the “Old Bat” and an additional son-in-law, Buddy Fletcher.

She is survived by six children Danny (Nancy) Ellis of Lexington, KY, Ina Marlow of Salt Lick. KY, Valerie Jolly of Salt Lick, KY, Sheila Fletcher of Bastrop, Louisiana, Jamie (Lisa) Brown of Morehead, KY, and Kim (Tony) Jones of Wallingford, KY. She was adored and will be greatly missed by her 21 grandchildren: Danny Ellis, Jr. Michael Brown, Jamie Fletcher, Micah Craig, Matt Brown, Todd Jolly, Amber Marlow, Ashley Williams, Matt Ellis, Ryan Brown, Derrick Jones, Gabe Brown, Crystal Roberts, Emily Bailey, Ami Maness, Tyler Brown, Sara Razor, Allie Reynolds, Jamie Eubanks, Miranda Ellis, and Malleri Henderson. In addition to her 44 great-children and 6 great-great grandchildren, she leaves behind one sister, Norma Hodges of Morehead, KY, one special daughter-in-law, Patty Brown of Morehead, KY, two brothers and sisters in law, Gene and Eula Reynolds and Arvil and Elaine Brown, and several special nieces, nephews, and cousins, and one special caretaker, Beverly Goodan.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 28, 2026, at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead, with Reverend Mark Caldwell and Reverend Harley Sexton, Jr. officiating.

Visitation at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead will be after 6:00 PM Tuesday.

A private family graveside ceremony will be conducted immediately following the funeral at the Ellington Family Cemetery.

Pallbearers include Todd Jolly, Matt Ellis, Derrick Jones, Gabe Brown, Tyler Brown and Ryan Brown.,

Honorary pallbearers include Jamie Eubanks, Dakota Jolly, Alex Gray, Aidan Marlow, Michael Brown, Danny Ellis Jr, Blaise Ellis, Brayden Mirus, Gavin Mirus, Matt Brown and Hayden Gray.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is caring for all the arrangements for Pauline Ellington Brown.