Obituary for Erinn Tracie Tervalon
Erinn Tracie Kee Tervalon was born on November 7, 1970, in Brooklyn New York. Known as Tracie for those who loved her. She was the first born of Beverly and Matt Wilson Kee. She was a beautiful baby. Smiles came quickly on her face, and belly laughs soon followed, at the tender age of 3 months, which was quite unusual.
She started primary school in New York City. At the age of 8, her family, with young brother in tow, moved to California. Public schools in the Los Angeles area was a bit too slow for this inquisitive, precocious 3rd grader. Boredom soon set in, so Hawthorne Christian Academy became her challenge, and she thrived in that progressive learning environment. Junior High School was no match for Tracie in Duarte, California.
Tracie named the Duarte Route 66 Parade as an 8th grader and marched proudly carrying the Duarte Banner down Huntington Drive. Her love for the marching band was founded in Duarte. She proudly took up the clarinet in the Junior High School Band. Her family moved to Simi Valley, California in 1987. Becoming part of the Simi Valley High School Band was her dream. She was a “Band Geek”.
Upon graduating from Simi High, Tracie looked for more challenges. She thought law was her calling. She loved to argue a point. She wanted to go to Law school at Arizona State, but that was a little too expensive for out of state students. Instead, she enrolled at California State University at Northridge. The plan was to get the general education requirements there, then apply to Arizona State University.
After a few semesters, Tracie devised another plan; joined the military, and have the government pay for the Law School. Tracie joined the United States Army. After basic training, she was assigned medical duties in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was during this short period, she met and married James Brown II. The marriage didn’t last, but she was blessed with her first child, James Henry Brown III, on December 8, 1990.
A single mom, with a child, away from family, Tracie had another plan, She would go back to school and become a registered nurse. Tracie rolled up her sleeves and got to work to complete her nursing degree. Her calling had changed from law to health. She and Jamie moved back to Simi Valley, after working awhile in Colorado. She worked in several medical hospitals in Los Angeles. She enjoyed the medical and surgical aspects of the institutions, however, she especially enjoyed helping patients in the psychiatric realm. She found many lifelong friends working at a Ventura Psychiatric Hospital. This is where she would plant her roots.
Life took a beautiful change for her when she redeveloped her friendship with her high school friend, Kenneth Tervalon. He was a “Band Geek”, like her. This friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship that produced on October 11, 2006, an amazing daughter, Jalen Rainn. On July 7, 2007, Tracie and Kenny made their walk down the aisle. Jamie on her left, Kenny on her right and Jalen in the middle...What a beautiful family. On October 28, 2014, the family became complete with the birth of Jacen Mathew. A handsome baby boy. With encouragement from Tracie, and the family, Jamie joined the Navy. Jamie did well in the Navy. Tracie was so proud of her first born. He accomplished so much in such a short time. He thrived until his demise on August 29, 2015, at the age of 24. What a devastating blow to the family.
Three years later, on August 12, 2018, Kenny passed, unexpectedly and tragically. Tracie found herself in the most profound depression. She was a person who helped others with depression and anxiety. Yet she could not find the answers for herself.
On June 13, 2020,Tracie transitioned from this life. She leaves to cherish in her loving memory, her daughter, Jalen; her son, Jacen; her mother, Beverly Kee; her brother, Erik Plummer; her in-laws, Kenneth Sr. (Marie) Tervalon, and a host of relatives and friends.
She started primary school in New York City. At the age of 8, her family, with young brother in tow, moved to California. Public schools in the Los Angeles area was a bit too slow for this inquisitive, precocious 3rd grader. Boredom soon set in, so Hawthorne Christian Academy became her challenge, and she thrived in that progressive learning environment. Junior High School was no match for Tracie in Duarte, California.
Tracie named the Duarte Route 66 Parade as an 8th grader and marched proudly carrying the Duarte Banner down Huntington Drive. Her love for the marching band was founded in Duarte. She proudly took up the clarinet in the Junior High School Band. Her family moved to Simi Valley, California in 1987. Becoming part of the Simi Valley High School Band was her dream. She was a “Band Geek”.
Upon graduating from Simi High, Tracie looked for more challenges. She thought law was her calling. She loved to argue a point. She wanted to go to Law school at Arizona State, but that was a little too expensive for out of state students. Instead, she enrolled at California State University at Northridge. The plan was to get the general education requirements there, then apply to Arizona State University.
After a few semesters, Tracie devised another plan; joined the military, and have the government pay for the Law School. Tracie joined the United States Army. After basic training, she was assigned medical duties in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was during this short period, she met and married James Brown II. The marriage didn’t last, but she was blessed with her first child, James Henry Brown III, on December 8, 1990.
A single mom, with a child, away from family, Tracie had another plan, She would go back to school and become a registered nurse. Tracie rolled up her sleeves and got to work to complete her nursing degree. Her calling had changed from law to health. She and Jamie moved back to Simi Valley, after working awhile in Colorado. She worked in several medical hospitals in Los Angeles. She enjoyed the medical and surgical aspects of the institutions, however, she especially enjoyed helping patients in the psychiatric realm. She found many lifelong friends working at a Ventura Psychiatric Hospital. This is where she would plant her roots.
Life took a beautiful change for her when she redeveloped her friendship with her high school friend, Kenneth Tervalon. He was a “Band Geek”, like her. This friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship that produced on October 11, 2006, an amazing daughter, Jalen Rainn. On July 7, 2007, Tracie and Kenny made their walk down the aisle. Jamie on her left, Kenny on her right and Jalen in the middle...What a beautiful family. On October 28, 2014, the family became complete with the birth of Jacen Mathew. A handsome baby boy. With encouragement from Tracie, and the family, Jamie joined the Navy. Jamie did well in the Navy. Tracie was so proud of her first born. He accomplished so much in such a short time. He thrived until his demise on August 29, 2015, at the age of 24. What a devastating blow to the family.
Three years later, on August 12, 2018, Kenny passed, unexpectedly and tragically. Tracie found herself in the most profound depression. She was a person who helped others with depression and anxiety. Yet she could not find the answers for herself.
On June 13, 2020,Tracie transitioned from this life. She leaves to cherish in her loving memory, her daughter, Jalen; her son, Jacen; her mother, Beverly Kee; her brother, Erik Plummer; her in-laws, Kenneth Sr. (Marie) Tervalon, and a host of relatives and friends.