Bobbie Jean Brown

Barbara, affectionately known as “Bobbie Jean” Allen was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on June 21, 1942, to the loving parents of Irene and Ethan Allen.

At a young age, Bobbie

accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized by her grandfather, the late Reverend James Mitchner at Amos Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

Bobbie attended Arkansas public schools and graduated from Southeast high school in 1960. She had a beautiful voice and a deep love of music. Her talent was recognized, and she was

awarded a scholarship to Arkansas A M & N College, where she continued to pursue her passion and develop her gifts.

Bobbie also loved to travel to Washington DC and Chicago the Windy City, visiting her sisters and brother. One of her adventures would eventually lead her to the bright lights of

California. It wasn’t long before a high school sweetheart, Samuel G. Brown, came calling. While on leave from the Armed forces in 1962, he returned to Arkansas with the promise

that he would be home for Christmas. In true holiday fashion, Bobbie and Samuel were united in marriage, rekindling the love they had shared as teenagers.

After their marriage, Bobbie returned to California. When Samuel completed his military service, he joined her there. Together, they began their new life in Oakland, CA. Not long

after they welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby girl, Stacie Y. Brown. Years later, their family was completed by the birth of their handsome son, Malcolm G. Brown.

Bobbie was a woman of unwavering faith. It didn’t take her long to find herself a church home and become an active member of Star Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the

leadership of the late Reverend George Henderson. She sang faithfully in the Young Adult Choir and served in whatever capacity God called her to. In 1964, when Reverend A.B.

Emerson branched out to start his own church, Bobbie moved her membership and became a charter member of Zion Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, along with 23 others.

Every Sunday, she ushered in the presence of the Lord with her angelic voice, often belting out The Lord’s prayer. Her favorite sons to sing on any given Sunday were How Great Thou Art, Christ is All the World to Me, and Blessed Assurance.

Bobbie was also a proud member of the Celestial Voices, a group of women who traveled far and near singing the gospel. She sang and traveled with the choir as well, reaching places

like Seattle WA, Washington DC, Hawaii and Las Vegas, to name a few, alongside the late musician Eli Gray and Pastor Zion. Bobbie remained a devoted member of Zion

Tabernacle for 47 years, she traveled to Hawaii with the Pastor under the leadership of Pastor A.B. Emerson until the church merged with Hope Center under Bishop Erik Nation.

Though it all, she was dedicated, serving God with her whole heart. Wherever she served, Bobbie was a driving force. Whether she was spearheading a project or working quietly alongside others on the Usher Board, her passion was always to service with excellence.

Bobbie’s faith and dedication were not limited to her church home. She carried the same spirit of service into every area of her life, her family, her community and her work. She was also a proud member of the President’s Usher’s Union of Northern California, where she served as Assistant Secretary, lending her leadership and voice to strengthen the work of the church community across the region.

She was equally ground-breaking in her career. Bobbie became the first African American woman to work as a teller at Bank of America on 12th and Broadway in Oakland, California

– a milestone that opened doors for those who would follow. Soon after, on November 13, 1972, she began her long and distinguished career at Alameda County Superior Court in

Oakland as a Traffic Input Operator. She later transferred to the position of Municipal Court Clerk, and eventually the Court reclassified her role, promoting her to Legal Processing

Assistant Clerk III – a position she held with excellence until her retirement in June 2012 after 40 years of dedicated service. Bobbie was known throughout the courthouse for her skills, integrity and heart.

Judges depended on her, attorneys sought her personally, and coworkers and supervisors held her in the highest esteem. She didn’t just do her job – she mastered it. If something needed to be handled, filed or found, everyone knew exactly who to call, Bobbie. Bobbie gave more than just her professional expertise. Along with fellow clerks, she would go to different departments during the holidays, singing Christmas carols to spread joy. Even to the homicide division of the police department.

She also helped start a Bible study in the courthouse break room, standing firm in her faith and using fellowship to confront discrimination and bring people together.

Bobbie had a gift of persuasion – she could get anyone to hear and receive whatever she needed to share. Small in stature with a sweet voice but a firm disposition. She said what she meant, and she meant what she said. If she had it, you had it. If you needed prayer, she was already praying before you finished asking. If you struggled, she claimed victory on your behalf.

And if you were lost in laughter or confusion on something she said or you didn’t believe or doubted, she would simply point her finger and say “Keep Living” Bobbie had a way of showing up in people’s lives when they needed her most. If someone was in need or had suffered a loss, Bobbie was already walking the halls of the courthouse with an envelope and pen in hand, gathering support from the District Attorney’s office to the Public Defender’s office and from the bail’s bondsmen to private attorneys – just say the name Bobbie Brown and doors open.

She had pull – not only with judges and lawyers but with the highest court of all; the Lord God. When Bobbie spoke, people listened. Everyone knew she had a personal relationship with Gold, and we all wanted Bobbie on our team. She was a voice of comfort, a voice of reason to the young and hot-headed and a mother to many. Bobbie could calm defendants and families who came across her counter and wasn’t afraid to share the Lord with them. Out of respect and reverence she was called Mama Bobbie.

For Bobbie, work was more than a career – it was Ministry. She brought compassion and faith into every role she held, leaving behind a legacy of service that touched her colleagues, judges, attorneys and

countless lives along the way.

Bobbie loved life. She enjoyed shopping and spending time with her favorite girl her daughter, Stacie. The two were inseparable. They often dressed alike or in the

Bobbie loved life. She enjoyed shopping and spending time with her favorite girl her daughter, Stacie. The two were inseparable. They often dressed alike or in the same colors, enjoyed

church together, and eating out at their favorite restaurants. She was an avid sports fan, cheering for her Bay Area teams-the Raiders, the Oakland A’s, the 49ers and most especially,

the Golden State Warriors. Watching games with her son Malcolm brought her so much joy, especially when he took her to see her favorite player, Stephen Curry – she would talk tot

Stephen as if he was right there in the living room with her, laughing, shouting, and cheering him on. Bobbie also loved to travel and attend special events. If a car was moving Bobbie

was going and if it was not moving, she was pushing you to get moving so she could go.\

Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents Ethan and Irene Allen; her sisters Georgia Allen, Ella Allen, Geneva Wallace, Dorothy McGregor, Leola Richardson, Ruby Goldmon, and Earselean Allen – Bay; and her brothers, Ethan Allen Jr., James Allen, and Jessie Lee Allen.

Bobbie leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy, her daughter, Stacie Yvonne Brown and son Malcolm G. Brown, along with host of nieces, nephews, cousins,

godchildren, extended family, and many dear friends. We will all miss Bobbie, her presence, her voice, her wisdom, her stories and her laughter. Her life was truly a testimony of love, faith and service.

Yet her spirit lives on in every son sung, every prayer whispered, and every life she touched.

Today we celebrate her life, knowing that she has simply moved from labor to reward.

Bobbie understood to be absent from the body was to be present with her Lord and Savior. On August 11, 2025, when Gold called her home, she rejoiced, and Bobbie entered his presence just as she lived with her whole heart and steadfast faith.

As the Lord said, Well Done, Well Done, you good and faithful servant, my daughter with a heart of gold.

Take your rest amongst the voices of the heavenly choir. Bobbie took His hand willing, and smiled one last time, and I’m sure she thought, “Now they know what I meant when I always said, “Keep Living

A viewing for Ms. Bobbie Jean Brown will be held Friday, September 5, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at C. P. Bannon Mortuary, 6800 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94621.

A Celebration of Life for Ms. Bobbie Jean Brown will occur Saturday, September 6, 2025 at10:00 AM at the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, 408 W MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94609.

The internment for Ms. Bobbie Jean Brown will follow the Celebration of Life at the Rolling Hills Memorial Park, 4100 Hilltop Dr, Richmond, CA 94803.