Surrounded by loved ones, Jean Ann Madison died peacefully at Boston Medical Center on Feb. 27, 2016.
A member of the Wampanoag Tribe, Jean was born in Oak Bluffs on Oct. 11, 1955, to the late medicine man of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, Luther Tacknash Madison, and Freda Belain Rocker. The youngest of four children, Jean spent a great deal of time in the Gay Head community with many of her cousins who lived nearby. She enjoyed sliding down the Island’s beautiful clay cliffs and soaking in the sun on the beach. One of Jean’s favorite things was spending time with her grandparents, medicine man Napoleon B. Madison and Nanetta Madison, and listening to the wonderful stories they shared. Just as her mother had before her, Jean attended the one-room Gay Head schoolhouse and was taught by Helen Manning until third grade, at which time she moved to Boston to reside with her mother and siblings.
Having settled into the Boston community with the support of other tribal families, Jean attended the David A. Ellis and Henry L. Higginson Schools in Roxbury. Jean became very interested in becoming a beautician, and attended cosmetology school to pursue her dream.
Along the way, Jean met Calvin Bugg Jr. of Boston. Together they welcomed five children, whom Jean taught to be independent, kind, and respectful. She also passed on her free spirit, goofiness, and fun-loving manner. Jean’s smile and kindhearted nature will be sorely missed.
Preceded in death by her parents, Luther Tacknash Madison and Freda Belain Rocker, and her only son, Hakeem Sabur M’umin, Jean is survived by her four daughters, Tanisha Denise (Huston) Crayton and Camille Merrill Madison of Boston, Channell Marie (Moise) Madison-Fils of Atlanta, and Amira Lanere Madison of West Tisbury; companion Rick Lawrence of Boston; brother Jeffery Madison of Falmouth, sister Kathleen Williams of Boston, and brother Stephen Madison of Boston; grandsons Taj and Desmond of Boston, Tarik of Jamaica, and Moise Jr. of Atlanta, along with one nephew and three nieces. In addition, many members of her extended family and friends will mourn her loss.
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