Tessia Nicole Brown

MADISON-Tessia Nicole Brown, age 22, of Madison, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at her residence in Madison after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on Aug. 29, 1989, in Madison, the daughter of Tommie Brown and Carmella (Jenkins) Harris. Tessia graduated from UW-Madison in December, 2011, with a degree in fashion design. She was a multi-talented young woman. Tessia was the winner of the UW-Madison Campus Idol competition as a freshman, was on the Dean’s List and a recipient of many other awards. As Tessia was determined to beat cancer, her parents checked her out of the hospital so she would be able to walk across the stage and receive her diploma. Tessia had designed her own line of clothing and was co-founder of Live 2 Heal Foundation. She is survived by her parents, Tommie Brown of Madison and Carmella (Daryl) Harris of Waukesha; brother, M. Eugene Jenkins Brown of Madison; sister, Sherry Brown of St. Louis, Mo; maternal grandmother, Donnetta Jenkins of Gary, Ind; step-sister, Leslie Harris; step-brothers, Daryl and Dominic Harris; three nieces, Carmella, Phoenix and Ashira Jenkins; two nephews, Anthony and Darius Williams; two uncles; five aunts; and numerous cousins, relatives and friends. Tessia was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Hallie Mitchell and Albert Brown; maternal grandfather, Robert Jenkins; two uncles, Curtis and Floyd Mitchell; and two aunts, Andrea and Lavada Jenkins. Funeral services will be held at MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 with the Rev. Richard Jones presiding. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Live 2 Heal Foundation, c/o Park Bank, 6701 Raymond Rd, Madison, WI 53711. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com Memorials may be made to the Live 2 Heal Foundation, c/o Park Bank, 6701 Raymond Rd, Madison, WI 53711. Visitation will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Funeral services will be held at MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 with the Rev. Richard Jones presiding.