Jacqueline Lee “Jackie” Brown, 86, passed away December 24, 2023, at 4:10 am in Portsmouth, OH. She had recently returned to Portsmouth after living in the Columbus, Clintonville, and Worthington areas for over 60 years.
She was born January 16, 1937, to the late Clyde Brown and Frances Brown Aeh during the infamous 1937 Flood. Her mother always said she was high and dry overlooking the flooded Scioto River from the former General Hospital when Jackie was born.
Jackie was a graduate of PHS in the Class of 1955 and attended Ohio University- Portsmouth. She worked at WNXT in Portsmouth for five years before moving to Columbus in 1960, where she worked at WCOL as a copywriter editor. She worked at OBES, where she was a Communications Manager and authored a handbook for women. She also sold real estate and worked at ad agencies. She retired from the State of Ohio Attorney General’s office.
Jackie loved to read. She was one of the best patrons at the Worthington Library where she would check out 12-20 books at a time. After COVID shut down the library, she ordered books. After COVID, she was back at it even checking out 24 books at a time. She also authored a book of poetry, NOW and THEN.
Jackie was very fond of her family and many close friends. Surviving are four sisters, Dr. Gerry (Dr. Larry) Lenhart of Hillsborough, CA, Debbie (Doug) Harness of Portsmouth, Brenda Mitchell of South Point, and Karen (Barry) Colley of Ashland, KY; and a very special nephew, Kevin Colley, along with many more nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Kline Aeh; her brother, Roger Brown, on May 4, 2020; and her brother-in-law, George Mitchell, on October 21, 2017; and many close friends and many former classmates.
A private family memorial and burial was held at Memorial Burial Park as per her wishes with Rev. John Gowdy officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.