Joan Brickey

Reflections of Life
Joan Ellen Brickey lived a well lived life personally and professionally. As the second of three girls born to Hazel Collier and William Downey on November 13, 1945, she was destined by God to do great things on earth with the gifts and talents that He had given to her.
Joan's life journey as a Renaissance woman began at an early age. She was musically, artistically, and business inclined and her passion to serve people was reflected in everything that she did.
Joan began singing as child with her two sisters in the church youth and young adult choirs. She sang alto for most of her life but was encouraged to further develop her voice and she increased her range to first soprano. She thoroughly enjoyed using her gift of song, whether singing in praise and worship or traveling to perform in her concert ministry. Joan also created and maintained several ministries in the church to help God's people in the areas of homelessness, incarceration, and self-sufficiency.
Joan graduated from Murrell Dobbins Vocational Technical High school studying commercial art. After giving birth to her two sons, Joan began her 40-year career in the banking industry starting out as clerk at Fidelity Bank. She then started her upward climb moving through the ranks working as teller, head teller, customer service representative, assistant manager, and manager. This upward climb in the banking industry ultimately cumulated in her becoming the first black female Regional Senior Vice President at Sovereign Bank with responsibility over 9 branches in Northeast Philadelphia. She completed a three-year program at the Central Atlantic Advanced School of Banking at Bucknell University in Lewisburg Pennsylvania. During her extensive career Joan received numerous awards and accolades for her leadership and excellent performance of her many teams she had great pleasure in leading.
Joan was joined in holy matrimony to her life partner Jerome Brickey on May 18, 1991. Jerome and Joan were inseparable as they loved to travel and dine out together. Together they built a life of service to the church and others until his passing on January 20, 2018.
After retirement Joan kept extremely busy working in numerous ministries at her home church Bethlehem Baptist Church in Ambler PA. Joan served on praise and worship team, sang in the choir, served as deaconess, lead bible study in the prison ministry, and was co-leader with her husband Jerome in The Gifted to Serve Ministry supporting the non-profit Chosen 300 Ministries, Inc. feeding and caring for the homeless.
Joan's health began to decline over the past few years. Throughout her illness, Joan was lovingly cared for by her sons Michael in Philadelphia, PA and Doug in Collierville, TN. They both provided a nurturing and caring support system where their mother could thrive.
Joan departed this well live life on Saturday, July 15, 2023 in the comfort of her home in Collierville, Tn. Left to celebrate her life and cherish her memories are: her children Melvyn Douglas Stokes, Jr. and Michael Duane Stokes, Her Daughter-In- Love, Gia Stokes, Her grandchildren, Jasmine and Matthew Stokes, Her great granddaughter Anaya Coleman, Her sisters Lorraine (Walter)Jackson and Gloria (Jason) Arrington, Her niece Lisa Jackson and Her nephew Terry Collier as well as her devoted family, friends, and caregivers Renee Myers and Janice Plummer. Her husband Jerome Brickey preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be sent to: http://chosen300.org/donateonline.html
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