Rena B. Brown

Rena B. Brown was born on May 25, 1936, to her parents Henry F. Jacobs and Nettie J. Jacobs in Samson County, North Carolina. She later gave her life to Christ at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church also in Samson County where she was educated.

She departed North Carolina and arrived in Trenton, New Jersey where she became employed by Skillman Psychiatric Center in Hopewell, New Jersey. She held many titles while moving up the ranks to Supervisor as a dedicated employee of over forty years for the State of New Jersey until her retirement. 

Rena later in life joined Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Her renewed faith led her to become an Usher, a doorkeeper, (Psalm 84: 10) where she gave firm direction to all and a smile. After many years of dedicated service, she later was granted the position as President of Usher’s Association, where Rev. James Coleman is the new President. In addition, she worked closely for the Feed the Needy Program with her close friend of over sixty years Clara Sampson. Together they went on various cruises, gospel plays, Amish adventures and just time together eating her favorite meals. She attended Church regularly until her health declined. In her leisure time, her activities were, crossword puzzles, cruises, Starr Tour bus trips, Soap Operas with Victor Newman episodes, the weekly trips to KMart where the ladies gathered for coffee and apple dumplings with vanilla sauce. 

Rena quietly transitioned at The Complete Care @ Mercerville, Mercerville, New Jersey. Sadly, she mourned the loss of her husband, Clarence Brown and she cared for him until he departed.

She was predeceased by her parents Henry F. and Nettie J. Jacobs; thirteen brothers and six sisters.

Rena’s memory will be cherished and forever remembered by her brother Henry Franklin Jacobs Jr. “Jimmy” (Annie); her sisters Nettie P. McIntyre of Trenton, NJ and Maryann Bailey of Fayetteville, NC and our matriarch Bonnie McNatt 103 years young of Hemingway, SC. She leaves to mourn her only daughter Vanessa Ross (Rev. Dr. Wallace Ross Jr., son-in-law) of Florence, NJ; her grandchildren Nicolle Jones of California and Chanel Haynes (Sedo) of South Carolina; great grandchildren Bishmiallah, Ava, Anissa Robinson and Victoria Jones; great-great grandchildren Raegan Haynes, Dayvion Robinson, Storm Frazier, True Robinson; a special friend Peggy Gaines (Damalcomb Fleming); cherishing her loss Lee Robinson, Jeanette Mayfield, Carnell Laramore,  Valecia Goodwin, Willie McIntyre, nephew and Camille Blakely; and a host of other relatives and friends. Mom, I Will Love You Always!

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Funeral service will be 11am Saturday, August 30, 2025 at Jerusalem Baptist Church, 150 N. Clinton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08609. Calling hour will be 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing, NJ.  

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