Jena` Yvette East

Jena` Yvette East, the daughter of J. Russell East and Gloria English-East, and mother of Russell Anthony East, was born on Thursday, October 20, 1955 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, January 25, 2006 God dispatched an angel to the Harrisburg Hospital to claim his good and faithful servant. Jena` was a member of Wesley Union AME Zion Church, graduated from Harrisburg High School in 1973, attended Harrisburg Area Community College, Lincoln University, receiving a Masters of Human Services and completed course work at the University of Maryland, Towson. Her prior employment includes; State Government, United States Postal Service and Edgewater. Jena` was founder and Chief Executive Officer of "The GloRuss Group," based in Harrisburg, offering professional services in community relations, event management, public affairs and public relations. In January 2004, Jena` was featured in the "Harrisburg Magazine" as one of the "Movers and Shapers" in Harrisburg and the "Patriot News" named her as one of the "Movers and Shakers" in the Central Pennsylvania African American Community. She served on Governor Rendell's Inaugural Planning Committee, was the recipient of the "Women's Heritage Award," and received the key to the borough of Steelton by then Mayor George Hartwick III. Jena` developed "Breaking the Silence: An African American Mental Health Summit," establishing a scholarship fund for minority students at Harrisburg Area Community College. Her effort led to Senate Bill 811, which addresses "Breaking the Silence" as a concept that impacts many people in Pennsylvania. She was the geneses for the Mayor's Annual Black History Gala where the famed musical performance of "An Evening with the Maestros," was presented. Jena` also brought to Harrisburg, "The Boys Choir of Harlem," to raise funds to help benefit many nonprofit organizations. Jena` was a registered lobbyist; and worked with the Harrisburg International Airport and the Hershey Company in building community relations, she also worked with Highmark Blue Shield to heighten the awareness of healthy living, especially among minorities. Jena` was featured in the October 2004 issue of "We Magazine." She was a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce, The National Association of Black Journalists, NAACP, the National Black Public Relations Society, the Urban League, the PA Public Relations Society, the PA Press Club and the PA Association of Government Relations. Jena` served on the AIDS Coalition of South Central Pennsylvania, the School of Business and Industry (SBI) at Harrisburg High School, and the United Negro College Fund. She volunteered at local homeless shelters and food banks, because she was passionate over eradicating poverty. She was nominated in 2005 by City Council Woman Gloria Martin-Roberts to receive the "Tribute to Women of Excellence" award sponsored by the YWCA. This tribute will be given posthumously in March 2006. Jena` leaves to celebrate her life; her loving son, Russell Anthony East and daughter-in-law, Melanie Katzman-East, Sharpsville, PA; her parents, J. Russell East and Gloria English-East; her brothers, Larry R. Graham of Atlanta, Georgia, Anthony M. English of Altoona, PA and Chief Petty Officer Russell H. East (Ret. USCG) of Alexander, Virginia; her sisters, Beverly Benton of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Stacey M. East of Oberlin, PA, Petty Officer Gwendolynn B. East, serving with the U.S. Navy in Willow Grove, PA; Chief Warrant Officer Gloria A. "GiGi" East, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard in Norfolk, Virginia; her uncle Harry L. East of Harrisburg, PA; her aunts, Helen Sanders, Frances Wilson, and Betty Wellman, all of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; her godmother, Mary Baer of New Bloomfield, PA; 7 nephews, 8 nieces, 3 godchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Jena's life and legacy will be celebrated with a viewing and visitation on Sunday, January 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hooper Memorial Home, Inc. Jena's Home Going Celebration will be held on Monday, January 30, 2006 at The First Baptist Church of Steelton with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and Services at 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to; Wesley Union AME Zion Church, 5th & Camp Streets, Harrisburg, PA 17110, St. Frances of Assisi Catholic Church, 1439 Market St., Hbg., PA 17104, or Bethesda Mission Women and Children's Shelter, 2001 N. Front St., Hbg. The East family extends their appreciation for the love and support shown to them during this time of sadness and bereavement, your concern has been a source of warmth and comfort.