Onie Jean (Brown) Debose

Life Epitome of

Lady Onie Jean DeBose (OJB)

     Onie Jean was the fourth child born to Pinkerton Brown and Roberta McClellan Brown.  She was born in Foreman, Arkansas on June 3, 1938, and later the family relocated to Kansas City.  Onie Jean attended and graduated from Argentine High School, Class of 1957 then went on to earn a Clerical Certificate from KC Area Vocation/Technical School (AVTS), shortly after being hired and Western Electric (AT&T) where she later retired. Onie, never being one to remain idle, remained active throughout her retirement by working in social services and various volunteer roles.

     Onie met Rev. Vernon DeBose Jr, and they were married in November 1962 until his passing in 2023. To their union they raised two handsome sons, who in turn blessed them with two well-educated grandchildren, all of whom she loved and doted over. Onie would regularly remind her family, that she called each of them by name in her prayers every morning.

     Onie professed her belief in Christ and was baptized at an early age, where she and her family joined the Second Baptist Church-Argentine under Dr. Roy A. Reed.  She was dedicated to Christ and the building of His Kingdom.  Serving as Sunday School Teacher, Mission President in her local church, district and on the state level.   When her husband accepted the call of Pastor, she stepped into the role of “First Lady” with grace and eloquence, but never forgetting her call as a “Servant Leader”.  She had a burden for the lost, disenfranchised, and those who needed physical, mental and spiritual assistance.  She took the” Great Commission” to heart—volunteering in Battered Women Shelters; assisting the disabled: serving as a Salvation Army Counselor; traveling to and serving as an advocate to victims of Katrina.  Onie was a true “Missionary and Evangelist” of the Gospel, never hesitating to stop to evangelize to anyone she saw, regardless of the location, moving when she felt the Holy Spirit telling her speak.  She wanted everyone to know that Jesus LIVES, LOVES and still SAVES!  

     While Onie Jean loved the Lord with all her heart, she was a “Fashionista’!  With closets full enough to put even the best dressed person to shame—she could always be seen in stylish attire, beautiful hats, chic shoes, and those fur coats. Although she loved to shop, she also enjoyed giving and sharing, gifting clothes and shoes to those close to her just as fast as she would acquire them. However, her true legacy will be for mentoring women to be Godly, Honorable and Trustworthy; as well as encouraging philanthropic efforts to assist those in need. Onie Jean loved God, her family, and God’s Kingdom. She served the Lord with gladness.

     She leaves to cherish memories her two sons, Vernon “Trey” Debose III and Douglas DeBose of Shawnee, KS; one sister:  Wanda Adams (Nathaniel) of Kansas City, KS; one brother, Donald Brown (Michelle) of Las Vegas, NV; sister-in-love, Sharon Brown of Houston, TX.  Two grandchildren, Douglas DeBose II of Normal, IL and Reanne DeBose of Shawnee, KS. Onie also leaves numerous adopted sons/daughters as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, extended family, coworkers and fellow believers.

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