Earlene Braxton

Earlene Braxton, affectionately known as “Lene”, daughter of the late Earl and Virginia Braxton, lit up this world on June 23, 1963, and peacefully departed this life on March 24, 2025.

Lene was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and received her education through the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Lake Clifton High School in 1980. She held various jobs, including working in housekeeping at Bayview Hospital for 20 years until her retirement.

As a child, Lean was always quiet and reserved, always smiling and never got in trouble like her sister and brothers. She had a larger-than-life personality, with a bright and beaming smile, she would say, “my shape is all Lene and no fat”.

Lene enjoyed cooking for her family, especially her lasagna, mac & cheese, and crab cakes. She was known for baking the best and juiciest turkey with stuffing.

She loved listening to the very best of the Stylistics, Soft-tones, Dramatics, Moments and the DelFonics.

Lene frequently enjoyed rewatching the Five Heartbeats movie, but she ensured that she always watched the Ten Commandments during Easter.

In 1981 Lene met the love of her life, James Barnett. They had two children,Sharena and James, Jr., who she loved very much. Her grandchildren, Aja and Jaydah were her pride and joy. She helped with homework and enjoyed playing games with them. There was no secret that she sneaked unauthorized snacks and sodas to them. For someone who didn’t own a car, Lene and Aja traveled to all the stores by the mobility bus. Her favorite down time was sitting on the porch  drinking a cocktail and smoking her Newport cigarettes.

Lene was preceded in death by her father, Earl Braxton, her mother,  Virginia Braxton, and her husband, James Barnett.

Lene leaves to cherish her loving memories: her devoted daughter, Sharena, her son, James, Jr.  (Taysha), and her two grandchildren, Aja and Jaydah.  Lene’s memory is also held dear by her brother, Horace (Francine); her sister, Berthena, her brother, Earl Jr., two nephews, Kevin and Maurice, two nieces, Tenera and  Alicia, one grandniece, Kayla, two uncles, Eddie (Linda) and Hezekiah (Rebecca), one aunt, Jannie and a host of family and friends.