Jacqueline Ellis Brown, affectionately called Mama J, was born on May 8, 1938 to the late Lillian P. Harris (Diamond Lil) in Elmira, NY. She ascended to her resting place on Thursday, October 26, 2017.
As a child, Jacqui learned to play the piano at the young age of 4 years old. She began playing at her grandfather’s church, Bethel A.M.E. in Madison, NJ. Jacqui continued to share her gift later in life by playing for Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. church in Columbia, MD where she was also a faithful member. Prior to going on to Glory, she was a devoted and passionate worshipper at Church of God of Prophecy in Kannapolis, NC.
Jacqui and the late Clinton Lee Brown, the love of her life, were united in holy matrimony in 1962. Together they loved and nurtured their only daughter Jocelyn while sharing a union for over 49 years. Jacqui enjoyed vacationing with her husband and friends immensely. She was an avid traveler and took great pleasure visiting various domestic and international destinations such as Dubai, Ghana, Morocco, Alaska and Bermuda.
Jacqui attended Baldwin Wallace University and later transferred to Newark State College where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Elementary education. She was the first black teacher at Central Avenue elementary school in Madison, NJ and was featured in the local newspaper for this accomplishment. Upon relocation to Columbia, MD, she began teaching at Thunder Hill Elementary in 1970. During her tenure, she was promoted to Assistant Principal and retired after many years of dedicated service.
Jacqui became a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Gamma Zeta chapter, Newark, NJ in 1959. Post-graduation, she become an active member of Beta Alpha Omega. In 1972, Jacqui took great pride in becoming one of the charter members of Iota Lambda Omega. She was a hard-working member who always demonstrated the tenets of sisterhood. Jacqui was a leader, mentor and role model for members, serving as the 3rd Chapter President; as Graduate Advisor for Lambda Phi at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and twice as Membership Chairman. Iota Lambda Omega will sorely miss one of its pearls.
Jacqui also had a great enthusiasm and devotion for working with the youth. She was a charter member of the local chapter of National Tots and Teens, Inc. This family organization’s chapter was chartered in Columbia, MD in 1973 and served to offer recreational, social and cultural development to children. She was a Team Leader, popular with all of the age groups and the parent liaison to the teen group.
Jacqui was also the founder and head cheerleader for the "Winner's Circle", a book club formed from six Moms who were members of Tots and Teens and became close friends. They read books and gathered regularly to eat lunch and discuss the book, if they had actually read it!
Beyond any doubt, Jacqui was a trailblazer. She will be fondly remembered for her warm greetings, beautiful smile, sparkling personality and complimentary words. She was preceded in death by her spouse, Clinton Lee Brown; mother, Lillian P. Harris, grandparents, Reverend James H. Ellis and spouse Phyllis; and aunt, Clementine Johnson.
She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter, Jocelyn Brown Mungro and spouse David of Concord, NC; grandsons Joshua Clinton Lee Mungro (light of her life) of Concord, NC, David Jr. and Masyn Mungro of Lenoir, NC; aunt, Thelma Sullivan of Bowie, MD; cousins, James, Phyllis, and Wendy Johnson of Bowie, MD; Linda Johnson of Madison, NJ; Charles Johnson and spouse Elaine of Kenvil, NJ; God daughter, Desta Ellis Johnson of Madison NJ, and a host of loving relatives, friends and sorority sisters.
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