Airrica Newsom

Airrica Keyon Newsom was born August 18, 1975, to the late Harold Phillips and LaBrena Price in Detroit, Michigan. Airrica, who was lovingly called “Pookie” by her mother, was a fearless child. She spent her childhood days riding her bicycle all over Detroit, embracing new adventures in fearless fashion. Airrica was an intelligent child, testing in the top 10% of the nation for Math and Science as she matriculated through the Detroit Public School systems. Airrica developed a love for God very early in life, serving as a youth usher at Peace Baptist Church where she accepted Christ and was baptized in 1987 by the late Reverend Dr. Stacey Williams. Airrica completed her education with Job Corps in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1993 before moving back to Illinois in 1998 where she later gave birth to daughters Alexis and Ashley. As a new mother, Airrica was joyous. Spending only a few years in Illinois, Airrica met and married Eric Bracey in the early 1990’s. Their union led them to Minneapolis, Minnesota where Airrca’s youngest daughter Audrey was born. Embracing their new family, Airrica and Eric spent several years together in Minnesota where Airrica developed lasting friendships with Lisa, Becky and Jeff. Airrica’s truest love was with Bruce Newsom. Their 8-year marriage was a fruitful one until Bruce’s passing in 2020. With a need to surround herself with family, Airrica returned to Illinois. She engulfed herself in cooking and arts and craft projects, that she took pride in gifting to her family and friends. Airrica recommitted her life to Christ, finding a church home with Caldwell Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Kankakee. Airrica was soft spoken, with a dry sense of humor, and a smile that could light up any room – being nicknamed “Smiley” by her friends and family for the infectious smile she possessed. She was preceded in death by, her first husband, Eric Bracey; her second husband, Bruce Newsom and her grandfather, Warren Price. Airrica leaves to cherish her memory: her mother, LaBrena Price-Woods of Kankakee, IL; her daughters, Alexis, Ashley and Audrey Bracey, all of Minnesota; her grandmother, Dorothy Price of Kankakee, IL; aunts, LaTricia Price-Cranford of Detroit, MI and LaVella Price-Darby of Kankakee, IL; close cousins, Brian Cranford of Detroit, MI, Kyle Cranford of Bourbonnais, IL Reginald Darby Jr. of Washington, DC, Kristina Darby (Mark Woods) of New Orleans, LA and Harper Woods of New Orleans, LA, and a host of other relatives, church members, and friends.

Tributes

Airrica Newsom

August 18, 1975 - March 3, 2024