Louise Broome's Obituary
Mary Louise Broome arrived January 28, 1941 in Greenwood, Mississippi. Born the fifth of nine children to Wilson Sylvester Jones and Robbie Curtis Jones, joining siblings Curtis, Dora, Willie, Malinda, Wilson Jr., Gladys, Ann, and Robert. She departed September 26, 2024 at 83 years of age.
Mary Louise Broome had five children, Brenda, Bobby, James, Curtis, and Michael. Her first born, Brenda, would go on to marry Keith Alan Swarts with whom she had no children. Although Brenda passed during her and Keith's union, Keith is happily remarried and remains a loving member of Mary Louise's family. James fathered Jasmine with Gail Yvette, and Lucas with wife Karen Lorraine. All are surviving family of Mary Louise. Curtis and wife Heather Lynn are surviving parents to Curtis Jr., who is Mary Louise's youngest surviving grandchild. Michael and wife Christine Jane are parents to her surviving grandchildren Ayanna and Jaden.
Mary Louise is also survived by her siblings Dora, Wilson Jr., Gladys, Ann, and Robert, as well as a host of nieces and
nephews.
Growing up in Greenwood, Mary Louise developed her caring heart and independence. She spent her development years helping her siblings on the family farm. It was on this farm that she would develop her relationships with her
sisters and brothers in such a way that they viewed her as not just a sister, but as a beloved friend as well.
Mary Louise had fiery opinions and passion for her own desires and decisions, yet nurtured and protected her younger siblings. She'd make sure they were comfortable everyday walking to school. Mary Louise would make sure that Wilson Jr., Gladys, Ann, and Robert would wear their comfortable shoes & socks in spite of the wishes of their loving parents who demanded they all wear shoes & socks that none were comfortable wearing. Mary Louise would make sure that Wilson Jr., Gladys, Ann, & Robert would change their socks going to school, and make sure they'd change back to their uncomfortable socks and shoes going home so that their parents had no idea that she was ensuring her younger siblings were comfortable. She was protective of and very talkative to her siblings. Mary Louise pursued her passions, independence, and love of her siblings in such a way that would define who she would later become after having her daughter, Brenda, at such an early age that Mary Louise would have to grow much more quickly than her age at the time.
Mary Louise had to pursue a life away from Greenwood Mississippi with her daughter Brenda. She initially moved to
Detroit, Michigan with the support of her Aunt Martha who helped her settle down, focus on simplicity, her passions,
priorities, and responsibilities. Mary Louise then began to focus more on her daughter Brenda, her own need to further her education, her love of children, and her own career. At that point in time, Mary Louise became "Louise" as she is known by all today, and along with Brenda moved to Oakland, California. While working as a waitress at a diner in West Oakland, she met then Oakland native James Broome. They would marry at this very Chapel Of The Chimes and would embark on a journey having a family of five children, Brenda, Bobby, James, Curtis, and Michael.
The journey with James Broome ended during the 1970's which would lead to Louise sharpening her focus on her
career and personal interests. She enrolled into college at California State University East Bay (then Hayward)
and would go on to complete a bachelor's degree in art while dragging her children to class with her, or leaving Brenda to care for her younger siblings much like she had done in Greenwood, Mississippi. Louise would then go on to complete a master's degree in education at Pepperdine University while working as a teacher's assistant in Oakland Unified School District. Once she obtained her teaching certificate from the state of California, she would then become a teacher at Bella Vista elementary school where she spent more than 35 years before retiring to teaching as a substitute teacher. Louise continued to teach & guide children for many more years before finally settling down to truly retire. During the years raising her children and teaching students, she also pursued her creative passions in cooking and fashion. Louise was particularly adept using sewing machines and other textile tools to recreate designs of famous designers. She shared these same passions with most of her sisters. Louise had one particular passion that she
pursued to her sister's delight, and to her children's amazement...talking on the phone. Louise could talk on the phone
for hours, and had a perfectly repetitive voice message that everyone learned and loved.
Louise shared her strength, love, and compassion for her children, nieces & nephews, children that she taught, as well as countless children throughout her neighborhood. Her kindness, empathy, passion and drive was instilled in her surviving children James, Curtis, & Michael. These same traits survive today in her grandchildren Jasmine, Lucas, Ayanna, Jayden, and Curtis. Her grandchildren continue to receive even more guidance from Louise's surviving daughters in-law, Karen, Gail, Heather, and Christine.
Louise Broome lives on through her spirit, determination, passion, and smile. She loves her children, grandchildren,
son in-law, daughter's in-law, nieces & nephews, sisters & brothers, friends, and all who have been fortunate to have gotten to know her. In remembrance, look for her smile. She shared it with her family, friends, and all she met and got to know. Always, look for her smile. You'll see it in her children, you'll see it her grandchildren.
What’s your fondest memory of Louise?
What’s a lesson you learned from Louise?
Share a story where Louise's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Louise you’ll never forget.
How did Louise make you smile?