Jessie Bell Brown

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.II Timothy 4:6-7On December 31, 1928, Jessie Bell Brown was born in Chester, South Carolina to Howard and Dorinda Gregory. She was the wife of the late Author James (Monkey) Brown. Jessie attended the Pineygrove School in Chester, South Carolina; moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1956 to begin a new life. Jessie departed this life on Sunday, August 12, 2007, after a sudden massive heart attack.All of her days on this earth, Grandma Jessie was a diligent and dedicated woman who devoted her life to caring for her family, close friends and anyone who needed her assistance. Jessie was a domestic worker since the age of six years old when she helped her parents around the family’s farm. Jessie’s natural ability of care giving began when she helped to raise her siblings.Jessie’s custodian engineering career began in South Carolina and continued when she moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She worked for many different families such as Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, Bob and Jim, Ms. Mary, and Ms. Sydell; relationships were forged during those years of service.Jessie became their family member, friend and confidant. She helped to raise their children as her very own. The Brown family is forever grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and family, Jim and Bob for their limitless support during the last hours of our beloved Jessie B. Brown.Anyone who knew Jessie Brown of 2314 West Baltimore Street knew that on every Sunday afternoon you could stop by and feast on her good down home cooking. Jessie was a mild-mannered person until you messed with her boys, Mud, Michael, Be-Be, and Maurice. She kept things in perspective, spoke her mind, was not afraid to put a young person in their place and handled her business.She leaves to mourn: her only son, James W. Brown (Mudhole); sisters, Annie M. Ruffin, Remattie Gregory and Ella Pendergrass and their husbands; brother, James Gregory; (she was preceded in death by sibling, John Gregory); oldest grandsons, James Michael Brown, Robert Maurice Brown and Maurice Brown; daughters-in-law, Gina Nichole Strawder-Brown and Yvonne Brown; fiancée, Kathy Chadwick; the extended siblings, Juanita, Tammy, Shannon and Wheeze; oldest grandchildren, Little Mike and Yolanda. Special thanks to Bernice (Niecy) Hackly-Boone for showing her love, support and appreciation to Mrs. Jessie Brown and her family. A host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and good neighbors of West Baltimore Street.

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Jessie Bell Brown

December 31, 1929 - August 12, 2007