After several years of illness on April 17, 2024 Colbra Arika Loretha Brown-Handy/ transcended to her eternal resting place. Born Arika Loretha Brown, she was the eldest child of the union between Selven A. Brown Il and Lois Dianne (Brown)Lee. She was born and raised in Boston, MA. Colbra graduated Madison Park High School in 1983. After high school, she attended Barbizon Modeling and Acting School where she pursued a career in modeling.
During this time she also met John Handy Jr. and together they had six beautiful children.
Professionally, Colbra worked in retail well over 20 years. During her employment at CVS, she decided to enroll in a professional development program and earned her certification in phlebotomy. Before falling ill, Colbra had spent her last years taking care of step mother Minnie Lee Brown before her passing. Her focus then shifted to taking loving care of her father Selven Brown up until his passing.
Colbra had an electric personality and was naturally humorous. She had an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile to match. In her younger years Colbra was a member of two social clubs, The Snooty Foxes and The Diamonds. She would often dance the night away in one of her glittery fashion forward dresses. Colbra was a devoted mother who loved her children and
grandchildren. Colbra was known for opening her door to many family members lending support when needed. When her children were younger she took pride in attending all their school trips and functions. She continued to do those things for several of her grandchildren. She was a phenomenal cook! She took care and pride in every meal she prepared and she would never let you leave her home hungry. There wasn't a dish she couldn't master. She was also an avid crocheter and took the time to make each one of her children a special blanket. She loved taking long walks around her city and would often bring her grandchildren on what she called "adventures" while listening to her radio. She loved her movies and cleaning up around her community.
Colbra is preceded in death by her parents Selven A. Brown II and Lois Dianne Lee, her stepparents Minnie L. Brown and Bobby Lee, her brothers Selven A Brown III and Andre I Brown. She leaves behind six children: Katherine Handy, Elias Handy, Arika Ojikutu (Abayomi), Missouri Lila Bethel (Khelmon), Selven Handy and Lois Handy. She will be missed dearly by her grandchildren: Darrell, Khloe, Alexander, Rebecca, Dean, Kyla, Laine, Solomon, Lavinnia, Karter and Makeda and a god-daughter Ebony Brown, to cherish her memory. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews that will miss their "Auntie Arika".
Colbra leaves to mourn her sisters, Apryl Brown-Haley, Teresha Lee, Tanya Harris, and Adrianne Brown. Colbra, your family and friends will miss your electric spirit.
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