Leola Jacqueline "Jackie" Brown

Leola Jacqueline “Jackie” Brown, 78, resident of Rockport Nursing and Rehab Memory Care Unit in Rockport, TX since October 2024, previously of Sinton, TX went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, December 6, 2025. She was born on January 2, 1947 in Dayton, Ohio to Buell and Hester Miller. She was the eldest of five siblings.

She graduated from Fairmont East High School in Kettering, Ohio in 1965. After graduation, she moved with her family to Columbus, Ohio and that is where she met Ralph Hess, thru her brother Lloyd. They eloped to Greenville, SC on March 31, 1967. They had two children David and Diana. She often said that her greatest joy in life was being a mom. After her kids were in school she began working at Bank One as a part-time teller, which was perfect for her personality. She absolutely loved people, and her customers were no different. She was saved at the age of 19 She loved God with all of her heart and would spread the gospel everywhere she went. Her marriage to Ralph ended after 19 years, but they stayed friends and always celebrated the holidays together as a family. After 14 years at the bank she started selling candles at home parties and did well enough to support her and her daughter. She eventually got a part time job at a local laundromat where she met Ernest Brown in 1993. They married the following year and she would go out on the truck with him often. In 1996 when Ernest decided he was finished being an OTR truck driver, Jackie moved to Texas with him. It was no big surprise when her daughter followed her to Texas, as they were very close and shared a special bond. Jackie and Ernest were married 31 years. They would travel not only back to Ohio to visit family, but they were able to see much of the country together.

Jackie and Ernest attended Portland Christian Center for about 10 years and that is were she established such great friendships that have lasted for years. 

Everyone loved being around her, her joy was sincere and contagious. She was known to give hugs freely, even after her move to the nursing home she loved telling the staff or residents she loved them. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Lloyd Miller, and sister, Teresa King, brother in law, Paul King, and former husband, Ralph Hess.

She is survived by her husband, Ernest Brown of Sinton, TX; children, Tammy Pitman of Fairborn, OH, David Hess of Columbus, OH, Diana Gillilan (Sean) of Taft, TX; grandchildren, Lindsey Pitman (Asha) of Dayton, OH, Lyanna Pitman (Shain) of Beavercreek, OH, Mackenzie Pitman (Zach) of Fairborn, OH, Danielle Hess whom she shared a special bond with, of Columbus, OH; and 3 great grandchildren; siblings Lois McFarland (Bob) of Pickerington, OH; Roger Miller (Dianna) of Zapata, TX; sister in law, Linda Miller of Xenia, OH; many cousins, nieces, nephews. 

A special thank you to the dedicated staff of Rockport Nursing and Rehab for their exceptional care and compassion and Harbor Hospice.

A Celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Charlie Marshall Funeral Homes in Aransas Pass, TX.