Mrs. Helen Brown's Obituary
Helen Ruth Brown, also known as Ms B., was born January 28, 1954 in Shubuta, Ms to the late Annie Bell Gray and Willie James Carpenter. She was blessed to become the adopted daughter of her grandparents, Maxine Reid and Dempsey James. She was the eldest of her 9 brothers and sisters so there was lots of love to go around.
Eventually, Helen would venture beyond the borders of Mississippi to live in places like California, Ohio and New York.
Ms Brown became a beloved cosmetologist known for her skill in hairstyling.
Styling hair was something she enjoyed and attending Cosmetology school would solidify her joy of doing just that. Helen was an amazing hairstylist. Whether it was Jheri Curls in the eighties or the Halle Berry pixie cut of the nineties or anything in between, Ms Brown was awesome at making her clients look and feel their best.
Ms Brown then went on to attend Medger Evers College. She dedicated her time to educating children as a public school teacher with the NYC Department of Education. Helen's love for people was a big part of her personality. She never met a stranger. There were only future friends or new family members. Ms Brown was alwayss willing to help someone in need. It was not surprise when she accepted a position at P.S. 156 in Brooklyn. Her career reflected her passion for helping others and wanting the best for them. Helen retired in 2015 but continued to work and volunteer with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and other organizations throughout the city.
At some point while at the DOE, she discovered the thrill of travel. I believe that this brought her the most joy. She traveled to places like Africa Hawaii and Mexico. On April 19, 2024, along with a few friends and coworkers of UFT, Ms Brown would board her final flight. She would enjoy only part of this flight to Dubai. You see, on this particular flight, at approximately 10,000 feet above the earth, God chose to call his child home. God said "Helen your wings are ready". Helen, a longtime member of Christian Cultural Center, knew her creator's voice, and promptly accepted this call. This day will forever be a sad day for many of us because while her wings were ready, our hearts were not. Many of us woke up on April 20th to find that we had lost one of the great ones in Dubai, UAE, at the age of 70.
Helen leaves to cherish her memories: two sons, Timothy and Jerrold (LaToya) Brown; one daughter, Ebony Nicole Jackson; eleven grandchildren, Timothy Jr., Shanice, Yazmine, Timiya, Christ, X'Zania, Keke, Clevon, Treveon, Tashaun, and Mirai; three great-grandchildren, Josiah, Audry and Jojo; seven siblings, Annie Lois Lockhart, Bobbie Harris, Vera (Arvel) Harris, Louise Harris, Curtis (Princess) Harris, Willie Bell Harris and Lisa McDonald. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Billy Ray James.
What’s your fondest memory of Helen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Helen?
Share a story where Helen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Helen you’ll never forget.
How did Helen make you smile?