Orieanna Brown

Orieanna Brown was born on November 13, 1948, to the late Celia B. Weston and John Bennett (birth father) in McClellanville, South Carolina. She was always a force to be reckoned with and the true definition of an overcomer. Orieanna was determined to be the best that she could be. At a very young age, she suffered a tragedy, but it didn't stop her. It made her who she was, with the help of Martha Brown (Mama), her maternal grandmother, as well as James Weston (Blue), her father through marriage.
Orieanna graduated from Lincoln High School in the class of 1968. Shortly after graduation she left home and moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she was employed as a Mother's Helper, aka a Nanny. Orieanna was blessed to be employed by the Powell family, who treated her as one of their own. Being so young and leaving her family for an opportunity to better herself and find her identity, the Powells became her second family, allowing her to grow and truly develop into who God created her to be.
A dynamic, intelligent, and fierce woman whom we all cherished and honored. Orieanna was a resident of Massachusetts for over 50 years, where she met her dearest friend Vesper Williams-Hall. Orieanna was afforded the opportunity to travel the world. She went on and embarked upon many new endeavors. Orieanna was the JILL of all trades, and there was nothing she would not attempt to conquer.
She worked several jobs and careers in her life and then later became her own boss. She was a woman who was filled with knowledge and encouraged others to learn. Orieanna had many years of formal as well as informal education. She was known for being late, cleaning the streets no matter where she went, gardening, educating, and always trying to make more money. Orieanna believed in hard work and saving! Her famous line was:
"Let your money work for you and only spend what it makes. Or you can spend what you make and have nothing."
Orieanna was such a loving person; her family was held at the highest of her priorities. Although she left home (McClellanville) at a young age, she was proud of her heritage and was never afraid to say where she came from and what she was taught. Orieanna was kind, hilarious, late, stubborn, loving, brave, determined, overcoming, courageous, respected, hardworking, and beautiful - is who she was and shall be remembered as.
In 2019, due to her health, Orieanna relocated to Philadelphia, PA. She spent her time enjoying her family and pushing them to greatness. Orieanna spent the last years of her life making new memories and being her authentic self. Dorothy Woolridge (sister) and her immediate family honored Orieanna with a commitment of love and care until she passed. Orieanna and Dorothy had become a story in a comic series. She had become their daily task and responsibility. Orieanna would always remind you exactly who you were dealing with by stating in part:
"My name is Orieanna Brown and that is Orieanna with an E."
This is how she would always make mention - for you to know who she was and what she stood for!
Orieanna was preceded in death by Celia B. Weston (Mother); John Bennett (Birth Father); James Weston (Father); Martha Brown (Grandmother); Michael Bennett (Brother); and Johnnie Bennett (Brother).
Orieanna leaves behind to cherish her memories her sisters and brothers: Virginia Hines, Jannie Grey, Dorothy Woolridge, James Weston, Roberta Powell, Curtzell Brown, Ronald Weston, Annie B. Scottie, Isabella M. Bennett, Rosalie B. Jenkins, Alberta Palmer; 1 sister-in-law; 2 brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, and family. Her Boston family, Vesper Williams-Hall, and the Powells.
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