Brooksey Jean Patterson

Brooksey Jean Patterson, 62, departed this life on Wednesday, July 12th, 2023. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 5th, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Resurrected Zoe Life Ministries. Private Disposition under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. How does one summarize the life and meaning of a person so dear.  One does not or should I say, “That’s not possible without the Knowledge of God.”  I can only give you a feeling, a glimpse into the life of Brooksey:  as our mother (after momma went to heaven).  She was the oldest sister (the first-born), our friend of friends, our niece and nephews’ heartbeat, her husband’s love, and her grandchildren’s joy.  The one who would have a fit to know that her full name was given without her permission. Today, I’m going to try and tell you what she meant to our world.  Brooksey was born in Lubbock, Texas to Marcnellus Birdow and Johnny Lee Dixson.  She was Johnny Lee’s only child and he died before Brooksey was born.  Our mother (Marcnellus Birdow) later married Vance Eugene Harris Jr.  They had been married for 45 years, and he was a reassuring presence that helped raise all eight (8) of their children in one house at 1701 East 29th Street.  Brooksey later moved to Colorado Springs, CO where she met her husband, Angelo Patterson in 1987.  They married and settled down in Poughkeepsie, NY with her two sons (DeMar and Gerome Harris).  To their union was born:  Kiesha and Angelo Jr. There are many things to say about Brooksey but one thing that stands out the most and that is that she didn’t like the way momma spelled her name.  So, she decided to change the spelling of her first name.  Momma spelled Brooksey; B.R.O.X.I.E., Brooksey changed the spelling to B.R.O.O.K.S.E.Y. Cooking was her love.  This is the place where she showed her kids and grandkids how to cook.  At her breakfast table is where all the best memories were made. She enjoyed many hobbies, such as shopping, friends, and family gatherings, and above all else, eating church’s chicken, Popeye’s chicken, and shrimp, while watching Wheel-of-Fortune and her daily Soap-operas. She was a loving mother, and grandmother.  Her grandkids ignited her spirit, and she loved them all unconditionally.   The last few days of Brooksey’s life were heartbreaking. She always seemed to defy the odds and bounce back.  We could not help imagining her bouncing back again.  She seemed to realize that this was the end before we could.  She told us how much she loved us with every phone call.   When she was somewhere between life and death, we knew it was going to be difficult for us.  It was somehow a relief to believe she would soon walk those streets of gold in Heaven.  We held her hand, we spoke in her ear seeming to comfort her, but her resting was comforting us.  It was our desire to surround her with LOVE …. Something she deserved.  Anyone who knew Brooksey knows she was more like a blow torch in a hurricane. Nothing was going to blow out her flame. And we all know that she came close too many times to count. I think that after she lost her sight (in her left eye) and her ability to go out with friends and family, she was ready to fight with her eyes closed, and, as usual, on her own terms.   We were privileged to be able to laugh with Brooksey even as she was fading from us.  We told her we loved her.  She told us she loved us.  We told her how special it was the day we drove to New York City, New York.  She told us she won’t do it again if we’re hollowing and curled up in the back seat of her car.  Because that made her nervous and ready to call it all quits.  We told her that that was the best days of our life …. Except when we almost ran into the back of a parked car.  We laugh about it until this day!  Through our tears, we laughed, and Brooksey smiled.  She knew that in life, no matter how great the sorrow, there was always room for laughter.  Look around and you will see the great joy and love she brought to the world.  She touched everyone she knew in deep and profound ways.  People look for the meaning of life as soon as they can ask the question. People climb to the peaks of life’s mountains, searching for answers.  We read, we pray, we fast.  If you have looked into the eyes of Brooksey and spent any amount of time with her, you have learned the meaning of life: To live, to love, to laugh, to cry, to play music, to listen with your eyes closed …. She taught us the meaning of life whether we knew it or not. We hear her words loud and clear …. I Love you! Talk to you later.  Thank you, Brooksey, for reminding us that the present moment is precious, and that we should make the most of it by loving fully and generously. Brooksey will sincerely be missed, but we know her zest for life and determination to fight the odds will live on in all of us. Brooksey, we miss you and wish to have one more hug and I love you, from you.  Until the next time we meet again kiss mama and papa and all our other family members. Brooksey is survived by her sister(s):  Belinda Nell, Argette Marie, Marcy Lee and Marylee.  Her brother(s):  Calvin Ray, Vance Euguene Jr. and Michael O’Neal.  Her husband, Angelo Sr., and her children(s):  DeMar Harris, Gerome Harris, Kiesha Dunnock, and Angelo Jr.  Five (5) grandchildren:  Tyrell and Jazzlyn Harris by her son DeMar.  Denzel Cook by her son Gerome and Micah and Mikayla Dunnock by her daughter Kiesha and many aunties and uncles.