Colleen Renee Brown of Houston, by way of New Haven, eparted this mortal life January 18th, 2020. She was born June 24th, 1979, in New Havento Teresa Brown and John Carter.
Throughout Colleen’s life journey, she worked hard to educate herself. Colleen attended Helene W. Grant Elementary School, Augusta Troup Middle School and James Hillhouse High School. Colleen was passionate about education and from high school she started her journey into higher education.
She received her Bachelors of Arts in Communications from Albertus Magnus College with a minor in Business Administration and shortly after completed her Masters of Communications Art from Sacred Heart University. Colleen worked as an Access Service Assistant at Yale University and as a Library Service Assistant up until she moved to Texas. She also worked as a companion with the Angels Organization.
Her call to Texas came as her love for God continued to grow throughout her adult life. Colleen was raised in a Christian home and knew whole heartily that Jesus is Lord. She would find herself in divinity school and getting more involved in church. Colleen wanted nothing more than to spread the word and love of God, so she moved to Texas to start her journey in ministry.
She was quite the character growing up, full of life and vibrant. As a child she would change her accents and pretend to be from the Caribbean islands. Turns out, her maternal grandfather was from Jamaica.
Family meant the world to Colleen so she worked hard to map out the family tree. She would coordinate family reunions, being the first at any family function, smiling and enjoying the atmosphere.
Colleen’s passion for mass communications was evident in her job as DJ Phenom’s manager, hosting numerous radio shows as well as starting her own production company, Brainy Act Productions. She was also an author; she found joy in writing children’s books. Her book titled, Kai’s Diary, was her first book of an eight-book series.
Colleen is survived by her parents, Father — John H. Carter Jr. (Darin), Roosevelt Bowen (Stepfather) and Jaenetta Carter (Stepmom). Her Siblings: Candace Bowen, Jonathan Bowen, Christian Bowen, John F. Carter III., Zakia Jackson, Arletta Gibson, Michelle Walters and Tasheen Dibbles. Aunts – Barbara Dupree, Karen Brown, Sharon Brown-Grant (Devon), Charlene Minder, Patti Conyers, Robin Carter, Charmaine Wright, Tyesha Harris, Tonesha Harris and Angella P. Hardy. Godmothers – Rhonda Ferrebee and Julia Brooks. Uncles – Eric Brown Sr. (Bernice), Kenneth Brown Sr. (Sherri), Anthony Brown, David Flewellen and Eugene Wright. Special Cousin – Jacqueline Shaward. A host of nieces, nephews and relatives.
Colleen was pre-deceased by her mother Teresa Brown-Bowen, maternal grandmother, Maggie Staggers, maternal grandfather, Luther Staggers. Maternal cousin, Kenneth Brown Jr. Paternal grandmother — Anna Mae Carter.
She will be missed not only by those listed but a host of family and friends who loved her more than words can express.
A celebration of her life will take place Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 11:00 AM at St. Matthews UFW Baptist Church, 400 Dixwell Ave, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends may call Wednesday at the church from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Hamden Plains Cemetery, Hamden. Services by Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, 1287 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06511. To leave a message of comfort for the Brown family, please visit, www.hkhfuneralservices.com