Jean Yearwood

Jean Elizabeth Yearwood was born June 2, 1957 in Corozal, Belize. She was the first born, out of five children, to Louise Maddeline Yearwood and Rupert Carl Yearwood. She leaves behind: four siblings, Cherry Mae Wardsworth, Chico; Karen Joy Banner, Los Angeles; Bernadeth Florence Yearwood, Los Angeles; and (preceded in death) by Rupert Carl Jr., Los Angeles; one daughter, Khadijah Ayana Webster, Chico, (preceded in death) by one son, Rasheed Karim Webster, Chico; one grandson, Benaiah Rasheed Webster-White; and a wealth of family and friends. At age seven her great-aunt, Florence Lanza, raised Jean and her siblings, while her parents came to the United States to make a better life for their children. Jean and her siblings later migrated to Los Angeles, California to join their parents. There she attended and graduated from John Adams Junior High, the Thomas Jefferson High School. To pursue further education, Jean relocated to Chico, California in 1976. While attending Butte College she worked on campus as well as for Riverside Convalescent Hospital as a nurse's aide until graduating with an AA in Applied Arts and an AA in Cardiology. Soon after, she worked for Enloe Hospital as a cardiovascular technician for 14 years. Later she graduated from California State University, Chico with a BA in social work. With a desire to help people, she worked for Oroville Union High School as a teacher's assistant, then the Community Housing Improvement Program, Inc. as a Housing and Credit Counselor, and AT&T Mobility, as a Retail Sales Consultant. As of late she was offered a position as a job counselor for the Alliance For Workforce Development, Inc, but never had the pleasure to accept it. After moving to Chico, Jean met and married Rafiki O.D. Webster. From this union came her daughter, Khadijah and son Rasheed. Her interests include yoga, both cooking and (as skinny as she was) eating savory foods, attending musical festivals (especially jazz and reggae), gardening, being active, spending time with and caring for friends, family, and being a grandmother. Jean was friendly, outgoing, and thoughtful. Those closest to her would say, "If you met her you would fall in love with her." She had a beaming smile and an open hearted laugh that was infectious and would light up the whole room every time. She was generous and eager to help. She was an extraordinary women, with a fighting spirit - never backing down from life's challenges. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.