CELEBRATION OF LIFE
FOR
CHRISTINE RENEE BROWN
SUNRISE JULY 24, 1974
SUNSET NOVEMBER 28, 2018

On the morning of July 24 1974, Christine Renee Semple, was born to Rachel Michelle Chase and Charles Semple Jr. in Washington DC. Christine was a sweet child who loved singing and dancing. Her mother and Grandma Ann dressed her in the best and she did not like getting her clothes dirty, If she did, she would cry until you got her changed.

She attended Apple Grove Elementary in Fort Washington MD, Oxon Hill Middle School in Oxon Hill MD and Friendly High School in Fort Washington, MD. Christine , her mother and brother Keith moved to the Pacific Northwest to Yelm WA in 1990 following the divorce of their parents. It was discovered during her later high school years that she was an incredible artist. She completed several commissioned portraits for friends and family over the years. She finished her fundamental education graduating from Yelm High School in 1992. She attended Southeastern Community College in Burlington Iowa. She was in the loving care of her Uncle Tim who also attended that college there. Christine earned a Liberal Arts Associates Degree in 1994.

Christine returned to Washington and continued her education at the University of Washington where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts in June 1996. She did work-study at KUOW radio station as a campaign assistant and continued to work for the radio station until she became employed with Nordstrom Corporate as a Sales Administrative Assistant. She held several positions at Nordstrom and became an IT buyer – a position she held held until 2016.

In 1999 she met the love of her life Grafton Reed Brown IV. They were inseparable during their courtship and married on May 19, 2002. They lived in the cities of Everett and Lynnwood for most of their marriage. They welcomed their first child Jhenae Rachele Brown on March 14, 2006. On November 5th 2010 they welcomed another daughter Lauryn Renee Brown. Christine was a devoted wife and mother and had a gift for being able to balance a lot of responsibilities well. Christine loved to entertain and was incredibly generous to others. She hosted countless gatherings for family and friends including Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday, and 4th of July. Christine was a fabulous cook and took great care in preparing and sharing her love for people through food. She was incredibly generous and never knew a stranger.

In February 2012, she received a devastating diagnosis of breast cancer at the age of 37. She immediately went about doing what was necessary to get well. She researched the disease, the best facilities for care, and the most advanced treatments available. She powered through, tirelessly managing her health and continued to provide a great life for her family. This past year new and debilitating symptoms of the disease surfaced and would prove to be overwhelming for her to manage.
In November 2015 she and Grafton moved their family to the Lacey area to be closer to Christine’s family. This was such a treat to be close enough to visit often and enjoy holidays and special occasions.

During this past year she and her husband reaffirmed their Faith and studied the Bible on a weekly basis.

Christine and Grafton are the example of what love and faith should be for all of us. They lived an incredible life together. The families of Grafton and Christine will ensure that Christine’s daughters will have an abundance of love and support so they can carry their Mother’s legacy of love and generosity throughout their lives.

Christine Renee Brown is survived by her devoted husband Grafton, daughters, Jhenae and Lauryn, mother Rachel Durant, father Charles Semple Jr, stepmother Linda Semple, stepfather Thomas “Bo” Durant, brothers Keith, Afrika and Michael, Mother in law Jeannie Thompson, father in law Joseph Moore grandparents in-law Bobbi and Ken Brown and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service for Christine Renee Brown will be held on Saturday December 8th, 2018 at 1 pm in the Woodlawn Funeral Home chapel.