Jessie Mae Sears

Jessie Mae Brockman Sears was born January 1, 1941 in Greenville, SC to the late Julius Isaac and Hattie Virginia Foster Brockman. She was an only child for 11 years until her brother, David Foster Brockman was born.

At the young age of 3 years old, Jessie moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she remained until she transitioned from this realm. Jessie attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church where she was sprinkled at the age of 11 by the serving pastor at that time. However, for the last 64 years of her life, Jessie dedicated herself to studying, teaching, and mentoring others in the power of conscious creation and metaphysics. She was deeply committed to daily practices such as meditation, visualization, imagining oneself in a protective white bubble, and releasing negative energies by visualizing them floating away in a pink bubble.

As a young student, Jessie attended Douglass Elementary School, where she excelled in reading and showed a strong aptitude for science. She also had a deep passion for the arts, and her talents extended to drawing, painting, jewelry making, and many other creative pursuits. She attended Samuel Ach in the 9th grade before graduating from Withrow High School in June 1959. After high school, Jessie worked at Shillito’s Department Store and other businesses. In 1962, she began working at Children’s Hospital while taking evening classes at the University of Cincinnati.

After a two-year courtship with her high school sweetheart, she gave birth to the first of her three daughters, Benita Jane, in April 1962. With the support of her mother and grandmother, Jessie embraced the task of raising her daughter.

In July of 1967, Jessie married Jonnie Sears, Jr. and from that union 2 daughters, Tracey Ann and Bridgette Kenya were born. They divorced ten years later. In March 1992, the love of her life, Emmanuel Earl Brockman, her beloved grandson, was born to Benita Jane and James Booker. When Emmanuel moved to Cincinnati at the age of 12, he became Jessie’s constant companion, best friend, and “road dog” until her passing. Jessie was also a second mother to many, sharing a special bond with her nephews Joseph Sears and Jerrold Burress, her cousin Cecil Lee, and her surrogate daughter, Erica Burks, all of whom she welcomed into her home.

In 1964, Jessie left Children’s Hospital to work for the Food and Drug Administration, where she worked in the lab testing drugs and food for contamination, among other duties. After three years at the FDA, she began a 36-year career with the City of Cincinnati in 1968, starting as a lab technician in the Health Department. After passing a science-based exam, she was promoted to Sanitarian (health inspector), a position she held until her retirement in 2005.

While working in the FDA lab, Jessie invented a rack that tilted autoclave mediums, allowing results to be seen in tubes more efficiently. This marked the beginning of her journey as a prolific inventor. Her latest invention, the patent-pending Window Guard from Intrusion, was designed to help women and the elderly feel safe while enjoying fresh air with their windows ajar.

Jessie was also a passionate Black history enthusiast, always eager to share her knowledge with anyone—whether young or old, willing or reluctant. As a dedicated political activist, she could often be found marching on MLK Day, campaigning for her favorite candidates, holding handmade protest signs at City Council meetings, or calling into the Lincoln Ware Radio Show under her beloved alias, “Mae from Downtown.”

Jessie’s generosity and compassion extended far beyond her activism. She was a devoted philanthropist and volunteer in local schools, where she championed literacy and encouraged creative expression through various artistic forms. A free spirit, she never met a stranger and was always open-hearted, often giving her last dollar or sharing her lunch with those in need.

Jessie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt,   sister-in-law, and friend. She mentored, guided, advised, and lectured countless people over the years, including her daughters, grandson, their friends, and anyone fortunate enough to know her.

Jessie’s kindhearted nature, infectious laughter through tears, witty jokes, and her renowned pound cakes—often pulled unexpectedly from a grocery bag—will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, sisters-in-law (Dot and Brenda), and dear friends (Karen and Nidra). She leaves to cherish her memory: daughters Benita (James), Tracey (Shaka), and Bridgette; grandson Emmanuel; surrogate son and daughter Angelius Ellis and Lisa McGee; best friends Daisy Moon and Ida Simpson; godchildren Damaiyah, Dazaiyah, Madison, Corey, and Kyron; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

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