Miss Zaria Licole Brookens

On Friday, August 17,2007, Zaria Licole Brookens was born to the union of X'antony and Latisha Brookens in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From birth, Zaria entered the world on her terms, late, full of energy, and inquisitive. Zaria is remembered as a spiritually centered, bright, humorous, engaging, and opinionated honor student. She took pride in advocacy, receiving her formal education at Richards Elementary School in Whitefish Bay, WI, Golda Meir in Milwaukee, WI, and North Middle School and Menomonee Falls High School in Menomonee Falls, WI. Zaria's personality made her stand out in a crowd. She was artistic, creative, loved music and making beats beside her dad! She destroyed carpets and furniture with her slime obsession, repurposing the laundry detergent, toothpaste, and her dad's shaving cream for recipes, then reselling slime to her classmates, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit. She was a risk taker, getting a special thrill when her "t~II" uncles, David and Kenwan, came to town because that meant "airtime"! She could count on being thrown in the air end carried around the room with one hand like an airplane. She demonstrated her athletic prowess early, flipping off couches and jumping down multiple stairs at a time (at the encouragement of her aunts just to stress her parents out). Wildcard Gymnastics honed her skills and energy as a toddler, which later led Zaria into the world of competitive gymnastics. Zaria was relational in nature and territorial of her family. As a toddler, she could often be heard yelling "Papa" as her grandfather preached, or "Nana" as her grandmother sang a solo, ignoring pleas for silence during service. As a preteen, Zaria explored fashion design and focused on competitive gymnastics. She regularly cut up clothing that didn't quite reflect her aesthetic, making it hers. She loved getting up early on a Saturday morning to go to rummage sales and the Goodwill. Just like her Nana, she loved the thrill of the hunt. She discovered her own style, much to her big brother's dismay. She found treasures in his closet, imitating his style, a true reflection of love. Zaria was a committed member of the Metro Milwaukee YMCA Competitive Gymnastics Team, and later worked at the Tri-County YMCA Branch. There, she learned new skills through resilience, discipline, and consistency, despite her fear. Her favorite skill was floor exercise, where the music reflec ed her energy and sass while she effortlessly catapulted her frame through the air. As a teen, Zaria was focused. She was academically strong (excited to show her grades to her grandparents and Uncle Karl), and an honor student, scoring a 28 on her first practice ACT. She as balanced. worked hard, and had a sense of achievement and age-appropriate financial independence in preparation for her sense. Zaria, a lover of history, had a love of the Broadway musical Hamilton, and could often be heard belting out the lyrics ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT! Like her big sister, Jamila, she loved makeup and matching TikTok and YouTube videos, recreating looks and stressing her Papa out! Taking after her Nana and big sister Kierra, Zaria also loved to cook! She would always negotiate her own sweet potato ole for the holiday that Nana would hide from guests. It's these memories that will continue to bring our family joy. Zaria accepted the Lord as her personal Savior at a young age and found peace in his arms on November 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her beloved father, X'antony Benoit 3rookens Sr. To forever cherish her memory, she leaves her: mother, Latisha Spence-Brookens of Menomonee Falls, WI; two sisters, Kierra Burton- Brookens of Gaithersburg, MD and Jamila 0' Dea-Brookens of Madison, WI; one brother, X'antony Jr. of Menomonee Falls, WI; one nephew, Xavion Ulysse of Gaithersburg, MD; grandparents, Pastor Marvin and Zenobia Spence, and Ms. Theresa Brookens, all of Milwaukee, WI; aunts, Jasmine (David) Clay and Marisha Kenwan) Roberts; Godmother, Angela Marie (Sharvin) Whitted of Wake Forest, NC; and a host of loving relatives, dear friends, and her Ascension Fellowship Church Family.

Miss Zaria Licole Brookens

August 17, 2007 - November 15, 2023