Jacque Ann Brown

Jacque Ann Brown (nee Frazier) was welcomed into the Frazier family by her loving parents on June 9th, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the second girl and the sixth child of their union. After completing elementary and high school, Jacque enrolled at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington in 1973, bringing with her college credits earned during high school, and positioning her ahead of most newly enrolled first-years student in her class. After graduating in 1977, she moved to Seattle, Washington to live with brother Dwain. Shortly thereafter, she met, and married husband Alonzo (Lonnie) Brown. Along this journey she connected and reconnected family and childhood friends with new friends, amassing a network of friendships whose bonds only grew stronger through the years.

Driven by her servant’s heart and commitment to working with youth, Jacque opened and operated a series of residences for young unwed mothers, guiding them with compassion and understanding through the pitfalls that could have defined their young lives without her caring intervention. Many of the relationships that developed during that time continued to the present. Her big heart extended not only to those impacted by her chosen vocation (plural) as many can attest, but to her family, and her wide circle of childhood and “Sistah friends,” as well as her beloved “fur babies” Ruby, Sweetie, and Tuxedo the duck!

Everyone who knows Jacque, knows she loved her family more than anything else! Most of us knew their names and personalities before ever laying eyes on any of them! However, everyone knows the special bond she shared with her sister, sisters-in-law, and each of her brothers, especially Benny. And, as she was privileged with overseeing his care (that is how she viewed it), the bond became even more special over the years. It was a role and responsibility she cherished and took seriously. and was known to threaten repercussions to ANYONE who may have displayed even a hint of looking at Benny sideways! However, the largest carved out space in Jacque’s heart became occupied with the advent of the bundle of joy, aka Jelani’s, arrival into their world on September 25th, 1980, usurping center stage from the previous number one spot held by “Vancie” (Vance), her beloved nephew, and son of older sister June. This fortuitous event eventually resulted in beautiful grandchildren to spoil, and spoil them she did!

Jacque also enjoyed swimming and music, and cherished all time spent with family and friends. She especially loved to travel. She was able to indulge this passion thanks to her extensive career with American Airlines (America West). Friends and family were often lucky and grateful recipients of buddy passes and jaunts to exotic places near and far. One such of which was a final tour of the continents with her lifelong friend, Sheila. Her coworkers readily commented on her generosity of spirt at work, making others laugh, thereby lightening the mood in an often-stressful workplace. These gestures of love and friendship epitomizes what it means to walk the walk and talk the talk with respect being there through thick and thin for others. A lesson we can all apply to our daily lives. Jacque also loved good food. And she loved the Casino! She never met a casino she didn’t love! Except maybe the one she recently “broke up” with, stating that she finally concluded that they didn’t love her the way she loved them. Especially as it finally dawned on her that the little “talking drummer boy” was never going spill his gold to her, despite the merciless teasing her gave her hours on end with that cherubic little smile!

Suiting and booting was perhaps the second biggest passion for Jacque. She especially enjoyed stopping traffic while sporting her myriads of miniskirts! She was not only a showstopper with her good looks, she backed it up with swag and talent that netted not one, but two “Miss Black” competitions in Phoenix and Spokane (circa 1973-74), proving that her beauty wasn’t just skin-deep, and her intellect (which she always tried to downplay) and integrity complemented the full array of what made Jacque - Jacque. If you have never seen her wardrobe inventory, you are in the minority! Some items spanned several decades, according to some reports, but was as varied, distinct, and colorful as her personality. Was her array jewelry mentioned? If so, it bears repeating, and repeating, and repeating. She often claimed that her “stuff” seemed to multiply without her knowledge. That was her story, and she stuck to it! She would, however, have offered any of it to anyone in need. Or, if they just wanted to borrow something she especially favored, and she was leery of getting it back, she would often just buy it or something for them instead. This is another testament to her generosity which often extended to those outside of her inner circle.

Jacque often exemplified the patience demonstrated in the story of Job in the Bible. She willingly and easily extended that patient attitude, offering numerous chances and opportunities to correct any given situation. And, although she extended a very a long rope, when she reached the end of that tether, you counted yourself fortunate to not be found on the other end of it. You especially wanted to put some distance between that scowl and those flaring nostrils! Usually however, her ire was short-lived…until it wasn’t. She hang on to a thing as long as that rope sometimes. Even so, she forgave, eventually. She was very friendly, and would strike up a conversation with anyone, and could converse on any topic with ease. She was easy with compliments. She was not overly critical or envious. She laughed easily and was the first to laugh at herself. She always tried to make people comfortable, and always looked for the good in people or situation first before jumping to conclusions, which is manifest by having the love and respect of so many people. She had a way of making you feel like you were her favorite person in the room, or her best friend, even though you knew there were others who edged you out a by a mile. She had a great sense of humor, and her smile and laughter were infections. She was caring. She was often the glue that held many relationships together. Jacque was good people. A wonderful person who we will love all our lives.

Jacque is preceded in death by her loving parents Velma and Ernest Frazier, beloved sister June, Grandmothers Rosetta, and Momma Lulu, Grandfather Daddy Ben, and beloved Granddaughter Laniyah, and other special friends. Left to cherish her legacy and memory are her husband Alonzo (Lonnie) of Chandler, son, Jelani (Denice) of Phoenix, daughter Lori, grandchildren Brianna, Maliyah, Christina, Alyssa, Janeiro, and great-granddaughter Sophia, brothers Don (Valerie) of Vallejo, CA, Gary (Carol) of El Mirage, Benny of Phoenix, Dwain (Kathy) of Las Vegas, NV, and Tony (Lorraine) of Atlanta, GA, Ernestine Liggins (Aunt Ernie) of Phoenix, a host of uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

There are no words or sentiments that adequately articulate how deeply Jacque will be missed. But she would want us all to come together and stay together, taking care of ourselves and each other in a way that would truly cherish her memory.

“Your Wings were ready, but our Hearts were not…”