Raina Nicole Brown-Malone
September 23, 1988 - June 23, 2025
Obituary
Raina Brown-Malone, lovingly known as "Miss Raina Rainbow," passed away on June 23, 2025, at the age of 36 in Seattle, WA, after a courageous eight-year battle with stage 4 breast cancer. She was born on September 23, 1988, in Seattle, Washington, to Ruth Causey-Brown and Douglas D. Brown.
Raina was raised in the Kent and Seattle School Districts and graduated from Garfield High School in 2006. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religion from Hawai'i Pacific University in May 2010, and went on to receive her Master of Business Administration from City University in June 2014.
Her career in early childhood education was a reflection of her nurturing spirit and deep commitment to community and families. She began as a preschool teacher for ECEAP and the Seattle Preschool Program at Causey's Learning Center (Van Asselt Elementary site), eventually becoming the Site Manager at the Center. She also served as an ESIT Family Resources Coordinator with Children's Therapy Center and worked as an elementary school community tutor, touching many young lives along the way.
Of the younger grandchildren, Raina was the first to get her driver's license at age 16, and was their daily designated driver, the first "UBER" driver, for the other grandchildren in the family. She eventually tired of transporting them and their friends from one end of the city to the next. They would have to take the drivers' test themselves or plan to ride public transportation. Her time was valuable; she would not be a young unpaid chauffeur.
A devoted member of Causey's Memorial Church, Raina expressed her faith through prayer, music and movement, serving as an alto in the choir and a talented praise dancer. While attending the University of Hawaii, she had chosen to begin praise dancing. Her favorite song for worship through dance was one written by Byron Cage ..." So you enter into this building; you brought your burden, and you brought your pain. But I have a message for you today...that when you leave here you won't be the same. God can heal: He can deliver." To be in her presence brought joy and strength to many; her unwavering faith in God was evident to all who stood by her in her years of pain.
Above all, Raina was a devoted mother to her beloved son, Jacobe M.D. Malone, who was truly the light of her life. She poured her heart into nurturing him, advocating for his education, and ensuring he felt deeply loved and supported every single day.
She is survived by her precious 8-year-old son, Jacobe M.D. Malone; her loving parents, Ruth Causey-Brown and Douglas D. Brown; and her devoted sisters, Tiffany L. Brown of Seattle, Jasmine Sami and her husband Nitesh Sami of Los Angeles, and Jenna C. Brown of Seattle. Raina also leaves behind her cherished niece, October Sami, and beloved nephews, Koup, Knox, and Kendrix Sami, all of Los Angeles. She is further survived by her dear aunts, Mona Causey - Wheeler of Sacramento, Pastor Marion Causey of Seattle, and Terri Hollingsworth and her husband Bob Hollingsworth of Delaware, along with a host of loving cousins, friends, and extended family who will forever remember her vibrant spirit and generous heart.
She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents: Bishop Robert James Causey, Mother Jeannette L. Causey, Mrs. Mary Jane Brown, and David Brown, and by dear aunts: Pamila Causey-Jordan, Murriel Causey, and Jeannette G. Causey-Lee.
Known to her classroom families as "Miss Raina Rainbow" and affectionately called "Rainbow Bright" by her loved ones, Raina was a beacon of color, joy, and light. She had a radiant sense of style with an exquisite love for shoes, a love for karaoke, and a passion for baking. Her motto was simple but powerful: "I don't see an expiration date on me... only God knows my expiration date."
Through every hardship, Raina remained strong. She continued working, advocating, loving, and living boldly even when love wasn't always returned. Her strength and grace were unmatched. She will be remembered for her laughter, her resilience, her F.U.N. spirit, and most of all, her love.
The evening before she passed, a young man and woman stood with their phone cameras, poised to capture a special moment, a spectrum of light in the evening sky. Water droplets. A gleaming multicolored arc. A beautiful rainbow. Miss Raina Rainbow ... that had appeared radiant and bright, just for her.
Raina,
I don’t even know where to begin, what I do know is you were a beautiful light in this world, you touched many lives young and old, you will truly be missed. God’s perfect gift take your rest see you in the morning.
Auntie Llonia loves you ❤️🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾
Even though I’m 11 years older than you…
I always called you my BIG little sister—because you were the first to achieve three major milestones before me: graduating college (twice!), having a baby, and being the first to show us what strength looked like in the face of challenge.
Thank you for sharing Jacobe with me when he was in your care. Thank you for supporting me through two of the biggest moments in my life—it meant the world to me. Being your sister has been one of my greatest joys.
You were always the smallest (dress size 🤷🏽♀️) of us three… you wore the tallest, most expensive heels, and the designer dresses I couldn’t pronounce or fit …Hervé Léger, I still smile thinking of that!
Every time you went through surgery, it was an honor to be there—keeping your house clean, cooking whatever your heart desired. I’ll deeply miss our girls’ trips, our brunch and dinner dates, Alto section of choir, karaoke nights, and your spirit lighting up the room.
I leave you now in the hands of Jesus. Your spirit lives on.
And if I’m given the chance, I promise to honor your final request: “look after Jacobe.” I will….no problem!
As our favorite sister song says:
🎵 “On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you… Tell me, can you weather the storm? I need somebody who will stand by me, through good times and bad times… Sunny days…everybody loves them. Tell me, can you stand the rain?” 🎵
#LoveIsAnActionWord
Ruthie & Doug
We were deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Please accept our sincerest condolences during this challenging time. Words cannot fully express the sympathy we feel. We hope that you can find comfort in the love and support of your friends and family, and that you will feel the strength to navigate this difficult period. Our thoughts are with you.
This is our prayer,
Cousin Shelia James White & family