Mrs. Jeanette Marie Brown

Mrs. Jeanette Hester-Brown, affectionately known as "Momma”, “Granny”, and “Auntie", was born January 3, 1932, in Saint Louis Missouri, the youngest of four and ''thee" only daughter of Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Estelle Hester.

Mrs. Brown received her formal education and attended the Saint Louis Public schools during the 1940s and early 50s. After graduating high school, Granny worked as a hat milliner for Society Brands selling custom hats for many years.

Granny married Mr. McKinley Avant, and to this union she raised four sons, Eric Avant of New Orleans, LA, Ken Avant, Raymont Avant, and Pierre Avant.

Granny worked hard to provide for her boys day in and day out. She was a strong, determined, and fiercely independent woman. 

In 1968 Mrs. Jeanette Hester-Brown "Granny" was remarried to Mr. Joe Ollie Brown who preceded her in death in 1989. To this union, she welcomed two bonus children Joe Ollie Brown Jr. and Mrs. Jeanette Walls.

Granny kept busy,stayed very active. She traveled with her mom visiting her brother, niece, nephews, and cousins in California.

In the late 90s Granny retired from Veteran Village as a resale clerk for many years. Granny spent time hanging out with her social club, shopping, many gambling adventures, and spending week-long stays with her good friend Mrs. Ella from Chicago from 1961-2019.

Granny was proud of her family. She made sure she was present at every birthday, wedding, graduation, holiday party; you name it she was there (for a lady who didn't drive). Most of all Granny enjoyed visits with grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends of her sons whom she treated like her own, her Ashland neighbors who kept up with her down through the years, and most of all the entire City Hope Bible Church family.

Granny passed away quietly at home on February 2, 2021. Mrs. Jeanette Hester-Brown "Granny" was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Joe Ollie Brown, Clarence Hester (Father), Estelle Pryor-Lewis (Mother), Robert Hester (Brother), Norvelle Hester (Brother), Lenox Hester (Brother), Raymont Avant (Son), Pierre Avant (Son), Gillis and Althea Pryor (Uncle and Aunt), Marion Pryor (Aunt), Myron Hester (Nephew), very close childhood friends Ida Hester (Sister), Harriet Beatrice Fowler (Sister), Mrs. Peaches, Mrs. Justine, and Mrs. Bernice.

She leaves to cherish her memory: sons Eric Avant Sr. and Ken Avant Sr.; 12 grandchildren of Saint Louis, New Orleans and Atlanta; 15 great grandchildren of Saint Louis, New Orleans and Atlanta; 3 nieces of Saint Louis and San Diego, CA; 1 nephew of East Saint Louis, IL; 2 great nephews of Saint Louis; 1 Godchild of Saint Louis, Christy Woodfork; friend of 60 years Mrs. Ella  of Chicago and a host of other loved ones.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Jeanette Marie Brown, please visit our floral store.