Ms. Bernice J. Brown Yancey

Ms. Bernice Jacquelyn Brown, the daughter of the late John and Mary Brown was born on September 23, 1937, in Jenkins County, Georgia. She lost her mother at an early age and was raised in Millen, Georgia by her loving grandparents, the late Ben and Rusie Evans. Affectionally called “Jackie,” she was an adored daughter, sister, cousin, wife, and friend. At an early age she joined First Baptist Church and over the years served in many capacities. Her most recent duties included being a deaconess and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She was also a faithful member of the Voices of Inspiration Choir, the JEWELS Women’s Ministry and served on the First Baptist Hospitality Committee. She graduated from Jenkins County Training School in 1955, matriculated to Johnson C. Smith University as an undergraduate in 1959 and received her master’s degree at North Carolina Central University in 1975. She was an educator and a coach. Jackie began her career at Hancock Central in Sparta, Georgia. She started working at T. W. Josey High School, Augusta Georgia in 1967 and worked at several other schools in the Augusta Georgia area until she retired in June 1993. These schools included A. R. Johnson, Westside High School, Lucy Laney High School, and Forest Hills. Jackie was a lover of all sports but basketball was her passion. She was a coach at heart and took it very seriously. During her career she coached girls basketball at J. F. Boddie High School in Milledgeville, Georgia; A. R. Johnson Junior High School, Augusta, Georgia; Westside High School, Augusta, Georgia (First Girls Basketball Coach in 1970); Lucy Laney High School, Augusta, Georgia; Langford Middle School, Augusta, Georgia (Physical Education Instructor); and came out of retirement to become Jenkins County High School Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Millen, Georgia. Jackie was united in marriage to Rev. Richard Yancey in 1996. She was a devoted Siver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was also a member of The Striving Ladies of Tomorrow civic organization. In addition to her parents and grandparents, Jackie was preceded in death by one sister Eula Lee Brown and leaves to cherish her memory three sisters: Richard Nadine Goodwin, Annette Brown Cobb, and LaShelby Scott; devoted Cousin Kenneth L. Evans, Jr.; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. AKA SORORITY CEREMONY WILL BE FRIDAY EVENING BEGINNING AT 5:30 P.M. AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH , 307 OLD WAYNESBORO RD., MILLEN, GA 30442.

Tributes

Ms. Bernice J. Brown Yancey

September 23, 1937 - October 28, 2024