Rochelle Elaine Brown

Rochelle Elaine Brown, age 58 passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2023. She was born on August 24, 1964 in Jeffersonville, IN to the late Betty Jean James. She and her twin brother, Dale Maurice James were the fourth and fifth of eight children. She was baptized at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church, where she found the Lord prior to her teenage years.

In March of 1982 she met the love of her life, Kenneth W. Brown, who were then together for the next 41 years. To their union were born three children, Kenneth W. Brown Jr., M. Clarence Brown and Erica A. Brown. The three of whom were the joy and purpose to her life. She later became Nana, to Kendall Rochelle Brown and Maya Ann Brown, who she adored and doted upon.

She received her B.S. in Education on Dec.18, 1996 and received her Master of Education on Aug. 7,2008 from The University of Louisville. In 1996, she became a teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools where she spent the duration of her career at Lassiter Middle School. Never wanting to leave the classroom, because teaching children was both her calling and a great pleasure. As evidence by numerous accounts, she was loved and treasured by all the staff and students she came in contact with. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and exemplified finer womanhood. She was predeceased by her grandparents Floyd and Bernice James, her mother, Betty Jean James and her oldest brother, Darrell James, her Mother in Law, Martha Ann Brown.

She will be lovingly missed by her children, grandchildren, and her siblings including Yolonda (Keith) Woodley, Craig (Tina) James, Dale (Dianne) James, Lisa (Tim) Proctor, Terry James & Barry James. In addition to her Father in Law Clarence W. Brown, her Brother in Law Larry (Kim) Brown, and Sister in Law Michelle (Ed) Pennix and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends.

The love of her life was her best friend and the father of her children, Kenneth W. Brown Sr.. If you saw 'Chelle, you saw Ken, if you saw Ken, you saw 'Chelle. As late as the week before her passing, they danced the night away. Their bond was inseparable and never terminable and will last forever. Ken often told her that her laughter was the music to his life.

Rochelle was intelligent, funny, but most of all simply a great person. She was beautiful both inside and out. As her husband would say, "How could such a beautiful woman, not carry a note, though she tried!?" She thought of others before she thought of herself. Her love knew no bounds. She was the definition of selflessness. Her willingness to help any and all was remarkable. She is and was a gift to all who knew her and will be missed forever.

Visitation will be 5 to 7:30 pm on Friday, May 19, 2023 at St. Stephen Church, 1018 S. 15th Street Louisville, KY 40210. A celebration of Rochelle's life will be at the church at 11am on Saturday, with burial to follow in Green Meadows Cemetery.

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