Briana Hall-Tucker Wakeham

Briana ("Bre") Hall-Tucker Wakeham was born August 15, 1992, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Brian and Tyree Tucker (Hall). She passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024, in Calumet, Michigan, due to metastatic colon cancer, surrounded by loved ones.
Bre was impatient to arrive on the Earth and came along six weeks early, as a "boss" -- determined to live life on her terms. This often meant being spoiled rotten, which her cousins that grew up with her can attest to. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized as a member of Welcome Missionary Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan.
Bre was loved unconditionally by her family. Growing up, "Boo" was her Dad's riding buddy, chauffeuring him as she learned how to drive. She was also her Mom's princess who could do no wrong. On the occasion that she did find herself on a time-out, she would simply enjoy reading a book! She graduated from Clintondale High School in 2010, where she grew into a leader through Key Club International and played tennis and volleyball. Afterwards, she decided to attend Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan and earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies in 2013. As a Michigan Tech student, Bre served as a Deskie, Resident Assistant, Writing Coach, and ExSel Mentor. She also studied abroad in London as part of her undergraduate experience. Bre continued on to her graduate studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania to earn her Master of Business Administration in Student Affairs in Higher Education in 2016.
In a surprise turn of events, Bre returned to Houghton directly following graduate school to start her professional career. She was known to incite adventures, explorations, and of course fun gatherings with friends. Bre also had an affinity with all things Disney, penguins and animals. One such adventure led her to adopt an Australian shepherd, Oliver!
Bre was also impactful in all of her professional roles with Michigan Tech's Center for Diversity and Inclusion, The Enterprise Program, Department of Social Sciences, The Office of Sustainability and Resilience, and as a long-standing advisor to the The Black Student Association. Throughout her career Bre was passionate about impacting the lives of Tech students and giving them her all in everything she did.
Every year she remained in Houghton, her sense of home grew. This is also where she would meet her future husband, Travis Wakeham. Coincidentally, they both were students at Michigan Tech at the same time but didn't cross paths until 2016 when they both joined a weekly movie night with mutual friends. Although Bre's movie picks (arguably) weren't the best sometimes – Travis kept showing up. They spent the next year growing closer and he eventually asked her out. After dating for a couple of months, they were elected co-chairs of a local nonprofit organization: Keweenaw Young Professionals (KYP): their first major commitment together. After leaving the KYP board of directors, they started a new small business together – a zero waste refillery, Refill U.P. Travis (finally) proposed to Bre at the happiest place on Earth: Disneyland in 2022. They were later married in Calumet, Michigan on October 7, 2023.
In partnership with one another, Bre and Travis, undoubtedly made significant strides in their community. Bre modeled service to others in many aspects of her life through community engagement. Her enthusiasm, optimism, and cheerfulness was contagious to everyone around her. She poured a lot of love into the community and she was met with a lot of love in return. The biggest battle of their partnership came when Bre was diagnosed with cancer in July 2023. However, the diagnosis was never a distraction or disruption to Bre's sense of adventure and making everyday count along with her husband.
Bre leaves her loving memories with her husband, Travis Wakeham and their dog Oliver; father, Brian and step-mother, Sevetra Tucker; mother, Tyree Hall; sister, Erin Nicole Tucker; grandparents Sammie and Mary Hall, Charlene and Andre Jackson, Bennie R. Tucker; mother-in-law, Tonya Gondek; sister-in-laws, Lily and Kayla Wakeham. She also leaves behind a host of other family members and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony for Briana will take place at the Rozsa Center at 10 am on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, 2024
An additional Celebration of Life will also be held in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 9th for friends and family downstate.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.