Obituary of Jacqueline Lorraine Brown

Jacqueline (Jackie) Lorraine Gray Brown was born June 27, 1956 in San Francisco, CA, to Luin Depriest Gray and Theo Middleton. Jackie was the first born as a set of twins. Shortly thereafter, the family was stationed in Germany for three years before Luin's transfer to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. In 1960, the Gray family was transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii for three years before their last transfer to Oakland, Ca. in 1967. The Gray family eventually settled in Hayward, Ca. Jackie attended Mt Eden High School and Chabot College where she received vocational training in sewing, tailoring and arts and crafts. At an early age, Jackie was baptized at Evergreen Baptist Church, Oakland, Ca. She later gave birth to her first son, Lejon Brown and relocated to San Jose, Ca. After a brief stay in the South Bay area, Jackie moved to Tucson, Arizona where she married Bennie C. Brown. After marring Bennie, Jackie had another son, Bennie Brown Jr (JR) and settled down in the Tucson area of Az. During her 30 plus years of employment, she worked in the Supermarket Industry, Hobart, and with Northwest Hospital. Jackie enjoyed bowling, attending sporting events, and was extremely gifted and creative with sewing projects for family and friends. Jackie also obtained her Liberal Arts AA degree from Pima Community College in 2010. In the last 15 years, Jackie received certificates of Achievement and Volunteer Work in Child Care, Student Organizations, and training classes with Grace Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Jackie took a lot of pride in her involvement with the Beau Brummel Social Club for which she had been a member for many years. She was prideful about being the first female board member associated with the club. Jackie was always thinking of family first. This was exhibited when she hosted the Gray Family Reunion in 2013. Jackie was the glue between multiple families and always extended a helping hand whenever possible. Jackie was preceded in death by her father Luin Gray and her husband Bennie Brown. She is survived by her mother, Theo Gray; 3 brothers, Darryl Gray (Carla), Ronnie Gray, Raymond Gray; sister, Janice Roberson (Ted); sons, LeJon Brown and Bennie Brown (Catherine); step daughter, Terri (Zakia) Washington (Brian). Surrogate mom's Clara Watters and Eddie Marry Gipson held a special place in Jackie's heart. Thank you for being there. Jackie leaves behind numerous grandchildren, loving relatives and friends. Jackie was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, co-worker and friend to many. Thank God for the time-shared with Jackie and our hope that she will always be remembered. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017, 10 a.m. at the Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave. Tucson, Arizona 85704. Interment at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona Phoenix, AZ