Jean Oakes was born to the late William Days and Anna Bailey, in New York City on February 13, 1941. On April 6, 2018, at her home in Fredericksburg, VA, Jean transitioned from her earthly home after heeding the call of the creator.

Jean received her education in the New York City Public School System. In 1958, she studied Cosmetology at Mabel Dean Bacon High School.

Also during this time, Jean married the late Wiley Oakes in New York City. She was a devoted homemaker to her eight children. She did not seek full time employment until all of her children were of school age. It was then that Jean began her career as a Dietary Worker at Beth Israel Medical Center. She worked there for 20 years until she retired in 2004. Immediately following her retirement, she purchased her home in Fredericksburg, VA with lifelong partner Mr. James Barker.

Preceding Jean in death were her sister Elizabeth “Libby” Murray and her brother Walter Days.

Left to cherish her life and cherish her memory, her eight children: Daughter Linda Bristow, her husband Raheem and their two children – Raheem and Kaseem, Daughter Celeste Oakes and her daughter Felice Torres Morris, Daughter Robin Oakes Watterson, her husband Keith and their three children – Janay, Nia and Ryan, Son Derrick Oakes, his fiancé Priscilla and his two children – Darryl and Chauncey, Son Sean Faison, and his two children - Keena and Zoe, Son Ronald Faison and his two children – Elon and Jovan, Son Donald Faison, his wife Mitchell, Daughter Theresa Torre, her husband James and their two children – Milana and Mei Lin. Sister Diane Hector, four great-grandchildren Kamyla, Sebastian, Hunter and Denym Rose and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends.