Mrs. Bertha Beatrice Brown

Born on March 29, 1930, Bertha Beatrice Brown was a resident of Houston, Texas.

Bertha Beatrice Jerkins-Brown, affectionately known as “BB,” was born March 29, 1930, to parents Emery “Buster” Jerkins and Alberta “Sister” Gibson-Jerkins. She was the eldest of ten children. She graduated from Smith High School in Gause, Texas, in 1949.

She married Clarence Jones and had two sons, Nathaniel Jones (who passed away at the young age of one) and Richard Jones.

Bertha found God as a young child by telling her grandmother, Mary Gibson, that she wanted to grow up and be like her by worshiping God. Grandma Mary told her just to ask God to come into her life, and He would do the rest. She was then baptized and continued to follow Christ for the remainder of her life.

Anyone who knew “BB” knew that she loved to shop and was a sharp dresser. She absolutely loved hats and wore them like a crown of glory. She was stunning in them! She had a kind, loving, and giving spirit and was happiest when sharing.

Later in life, she met and married Ireland Brown in 1961. Ireland subsequently became Reverend Ireland Brown. They were devoted to each other until his passing on October 7, 2024.

She served in many capacities: as a prison chaplain, Sunday School teacher, advocate for the homeless, support for unwed mothers, and retired from the Houston Independent School District as a teacher’s aide.

Preceding her in death are her son, Nathaniel Jones; father, Emery Jerkins; mother, Alberta Jerkins; sister, Thelma Morgan; and brothers, L.C. “Man” Jerkins and Charlie “Cat” Jerkins.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory: her son, Richard Jones (Patricia Jones); step-daughter, Irelanette Broadnax (David Broadnax); four grandsons, Gamal Jones (Torsha), Sherif Jones (Tina), Sidri Jones (Tiffany), and Brandon Broadnax; three sisters, Lizzie Jackson, Lena Faye Washington, and Alice Stonum; three