Lasting Memories

Vera Jewell Brule
April 3, 1934-Dec. 13, 2018
East Palo Alto, CA
Submitted by Tracey Ramirez

Vera Jewell Brule, affectionately known as "Mama VJ" was born on April 3, 1934 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to Zerline and Ora Charles Dixon.

Vera Brule received her education from the San Francisco Unified School District where she attended and graduated with honors from Balboa High School. She also attended The School of Cosmetology of San Francisco where she graduated and became a licensed cosmetologist.

Before retirement age, Vera Brule worked as the Director of the Mendocino Drug Rehabilitation Center in Berkeley, and as a Resident Manager for Clementina Towers in San Francisco.

Vera Brule was baptized at Jubilee Christian Center in San Jose where she rededicated her life to Christ. She then became a member unto death of the Zion Missionary Baptist Church in East Palo Alto, where she was one of the church Mothers.

Vera Brule had many gifts and passions. She once recorded a song "How Much Can One Heart Take" along with her sister, Yvonne Dillion. She was a self-taught pianist and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was a prayer warrior and loved to pray for her family and friends. Vera had a passion for Out Reach. She would feed multitudes of people throughout the Bay Area. Always seeking opportunity to provide massive amounts of food and furniture to those in need.

On Dec. 11, 2018 at 5 a.m., the Lord called his Angel home to be with him. She will be missed by so many lives that she has touched.

Vera Brule is preceded in death by her grandmother Eva Robison, parents Zerline and Ora Charles Dixon, brothers Fred Dixon and Alton Ray Dixon, sister Mable Williams, daughter Jacqueline Yvette Douglas, son Earl Douglas, grandchild Richard Douglas and great grandchild Surre Kemoi Smith.

Vera Brule is survived by her sister, Yvonne Dillon; two sons, Donnie Gage and Richard Douglas; two daughters, Jewell Douglas and Tracey Yvonne Douglas-Ramirez; 1 son-in-law Malik Wade; 14 grandchildren, Keith Alan Smith, Surre Kemoi Smith, Andrew Gordon, Dionicio Ramirez, Danae Ramirez, Earl Douglas Jr. Mikhalia Douglas, Sheena Douglas, Deshun Douglas, Eva Gage, Rico Bryant, Tiffany Thomas, Charmae Gage, Gemila Gage; and nine great grandchildren, Kierra Monee Smith, Shuri Kemonee, Kai Deanna Smith, Kali Jewell Smith, Ace Montoya Gordon, Atreyu Markel Douglas, Konner Mills, Darrion Carnegie and Joshua Wesley.

Vera Brule is lovingly remembered by Alfreda Ferguson, Darice Dixon, Eugene Lemelle, Makaela and Maliyah Lemelle, Percy Dillon, Serrell Whittle, Lavette Dixon, Lola Whitttle, Prince M. Jackson, Prince Sir and Kathleen Jackson, Steven Dixon; Michael, Betsy, Julia and Katy Nelson, Paul and Oliva Petroff, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.