Jean M Terry

Jean Marlene Terry the beloved daughter of Hiawatha “Tippy” Charles (Terry) was born on March 23, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The oldest of thirteen, she grew up in Vauxhall, New Jersey, she spent her adult years in Newark, New Jersey and relocated back to her hometown after the birth of her beloved granddaughter.

 She was educated in the Union Township School System and obtained a certification in business from Manpower Group before entering the workforce. Her working career began at Abby Records before she ventured into the insurance industry with Mutual Life Insurance in Newark, New Jersey. There she made lasting friendships before retiring in 2000. In true Jean fashion she stepped into entrepreneurship, when she opened her in home daycare, Chickie’s Chickadees, where she reared the next generation that inevitable became family.

Jean was affectionately known as “Chickie,” “Aunt Chickie,” and “JT” by her family, friends, and anyone who met her. You could catch her with Ms. Claresa, Ms. Yvonne and Ms. Dot that were lovingly called the “The Golden Girls.” Jean lived life unapologetically, loved to host, partied harder than people half her age, got everyone’s best angle, and just brought joy to everyone that she encountered. She was a member of the Vauxhall Senior Citizens, Concerned Citizens of Vauxhall, the Vicinity Civic Association, and First Baptist Church. 

She transitioned into the afterlife peacefully at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey on December 1, 2024. 

Chickie was proceeded in death by her mother, brothers: Andrew “Brother” Terry, Edward “Davie” Charles, Keith Charles, and Lyle “Tony” Charles, sisters: Brenda Rae “Sister” Charles, Dorothy Ann “DA” Charles, and Tammy Saxon, and beloved son, Craig Barren.

She leaves to mourn: her daughter April (Kevin) Carter; granddaughter Bianca Carter; grandson Epshan Porter; brothers Darryl “Little Gobbs” Charles (Irene) and Marcellus “Weasel” Charles (Ellen); sisters Kim McKinney, Denise Charles, and Donna Charles; her special cousins Terry Ann Darden (Lloyd) and Michelle Terry; Godchildren Andrew Terry, Marley Simone and Xavier Lloyd Dennis; bonus daughters, Tahitia “Bookey” Jones and Latarsha McCall; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will cherish her beloved memories. A special acknowledgement to her appointed ancestry photo keeper, Shannon Charles, and prodigal nephew, DeShawn Charles.