Tanya Louise Jacobs was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn on April 24, 1957, the second child and first girl of the late Samuel Johnson Freeman (aka Samuel Jacobs Sr.) and Louise Bartlett Jacobs. Surrounded by maternal and paternal family, Tanya grew up with the love and guidance of many aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors who became life-long family friends.
Tanya was most passionate of her work with the New York Urban League and with Greenwich House. These organizations provided rehabilitation services, child care and solutions to the social needs of our community and beyond. Tanya was often respected for her integrity in her financial reporting which provided clear pictures of the state of the organizations she served.
For her education, Tanya attended New York City public schools, and excelled as a student. As Tanya became a teenager, the NYC public schools often used the method of “busing” to integrate public high schools. Tanya, and her brother Tony, were bused to South Shore High School, located in the predominately white Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn. While at South Shore, Tanya was placed in college study courses and was often the only or one of a few African-American students in her classes. Both, she and Tony experienced racial conflicts in their commute to and from school.
Throughout this time, Tanya found solace with the Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. William Augustus Jones. Tanya served as a member of the churches’ Sunshine Ministry. This ministry is responsible for corresponding with the church’s sick and shut in.
After graduating from South Shore High School in 1975, Tanya attended Kingsborough Community College, where she majored in accounting. Tanya then matriculated to Pace University in New York City. While at Pace, she pledged to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. While completing her studies, and serving in her sorority, Tanya worked part-time and began her professional career with Abreu Travel Services. After graduating with her Bachelors of Science in Accounting, Tanya began her climb of the corporate ladder with Avon Products Inc. Tanya became a trusted and experienced executive with Avon and again often found herself to be one of a handful of African American women within the organization and worked twice as hard to be acknowledged by her peers.
Although she was dedicated to her work, Tanya was just as dedicated to her family, especially to her parents. She was always there to give a helping hand to her nieces and nephews when needed. She often advocated and protected them as fiercely as their own parents. Also, Tanya was most proud of her FreemanBrewington Family and the values they stand for: work hard, do right and pursue your education. She was most humbled and proud to serve over the family’s reunion activities to ensure that future reunions took place for her younger family members.
As Tanya prospered, professionally, Tanya received Christ, was baptized and joined the Antioch Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. George Lawrence, a close associate of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. While still with Avon, Tanya transferred to their Chicago location and began to explore the possibility of going to law school, with the help and moral support of her cousin, Luther (Sonny) Spence. Tanya thrived in Chicago but would not stay from her family. During the late 1980s, Tanya returned to New York. With the financial downturn in the country, Tanya soon left Avon and began working for small businesses. Tanya oversaw her own tax services franchise with Jackson Hewitt. Tanya then felt the need to give back and began working for Not-for-profit organizations, beginning with Montefiore-Riker’s Island Health Services. During her time with Montefiore, Tanya obtained her MBA in Accounting from Manhattan College.
With her move to Teaneck, NJ, Tanya found the commute to Bethany difficult and selected her final church home with the Community Baptist Church of Englewood where the Pastor is Dr. Lester W. Taylor Jr.
Tanya was never impressed with the fuss or drama created for what she did in her life, but she was still admired by many around her for her accomplishments, her presence and the guidance she provided. Tanya was a praying woman and believed that God was the center of all things in her life. Tanya will be remembered for her grace, strength and no-nonsense style. After three years of illness, the angels escorted Tanya home on Monday, March 6, 2017. Tanya leaves to cherish her memories her mother, Louise; her siblings, Samuel John (wife, Xanthus), James Anthony, Shirley Annette and Beverly Eugenia; her nieces, Reshauh Xanthus, Nikia Louise, LaShae Xanthus (husband, Dupree) and Lauren LaShae and nephews, Avery Eugene and Sincere Maurice. She also leaves all her beloved cousins, especially Luther F. Spence (wife, Addie), Kimberly Spence-Jackson, Naomi (Teenie) Lovelace (husband, Joe) and Frances (Toolie) Elliott, and a host of friends.
Order of Services Eldress Brenda McNeil, Presiding
Organ Prelude Elder Terrel Johnson | Minister of Music Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Opening Hymn..............................................................................“In The Cross” Scripture Readings: Old Testament...........................................................Proverbs 31: 25, 26 & 30 Deacon Sherman E. Freeman New Testament..........................................................................II Timothy 4:7-8 Minister Everett Holland Prayer of Comfort…………………………….......Eldress Clara Elliott Musical Selection.…….……….............................“How Great Thou Art” Wayne McNeil Tributes and Reflections: Obituary – Read Silently Presentation of Thanks.....................................................Nikia McQueen Family and Friends (2 minute limit) Acknowledgments….…………………………....................Eloise Edwards Musical Selection.……….………........................................“Precious Lord” Wayne McNeil Eulogy….…………………………………………….........Rev. Joseph Lovelace Closing Prayer and Benediction…... Eldress Brenda E. McNeill Musical Selection……………………….....“Let the Church Say Amen” Recessional
God’s garden
God looked around His garden And He found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth, And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. He saw that the road was getting rough, And the hills are hard to climb. So, He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered “Peace be thine” It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn’t go alone For part of us went with you The day God called you home.
“She finally saw what God saw in her and she became UNSTOPPABLE”
Acknowledgements: The family greatly appreciates all prayers, encouragement, expressions of love, and sympathy that have been extended to us. We would like to extend our love, gratitude and thanks to Cynthia Simmons for her kindness and support. We express our gratitude and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers during Tanya’s illness. Special thanks to Rev. Clinton M. Miller and the Brown Memorial Baptist Church family in Brooklyn, New York, Nicole Middleton, Kenneth Hood and the staff at Whiting’s Funeral Home for their compassion and support during this time. ~The Family OF Tanya Louise Jacobs
repass
The immediate family will receive friends at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church immediately following the service: 4002 Ironbound Rd • Williamsburg, VA 23188
Professional Services Entrusted To: Leon Brown Funeral Home 2601 Pitkin Avenue • brooklyn, ny 11208
Whiting’s Funeral Home 7005 Pocahontas Trail • Williamsburg, VA 23187
Final Disposition:
Newport Crematorium • newport, va
A Sister Just Like You
We just want you to know You mean the world to us Only a heart as dear as yours Would give so unselfishly The many things you’ve done All the times that you were there
Helps us know deep down inside How much you really care Even though we might not say We appreciate all you’ve done Richly blessed is how we feel Having a sister just like you.
Program Designed by Demarcus McGaughey : 214.597.0327 : info@demarcusmcgaughey.com