Zeraieh Bland

Krystle Nicole Brown was born October 7, 1987, in Kansas City, MO to Tammy Austin and Charles C. Brown and passed away May 11, 2023.  As a child, Krystle was lovingly nicknamed “Thunderbolt” because of her thick bowlegs. She was a bright and energetic child who brought joy to everyone she was around. As a student Krystle was very bright and was placed in advanced classes. Krystle graduated from Southeast High School in 2006 and in 2010 she graduated from Regency Beauty Institute where she earned her certification as a licensed cosmetologist.  Krystle was a gifted stylist and built a large loyal client base. She will be remembered for her loving heart, her fierce loyalty, her infectious smile and unmistakable laugh that filled every room she walked into.

On September 15, 2015, Krystle married her longtime partner and enduring friend Demario Bland, Sr. Their relationship produced two children: Zeraieh Nicole Bland and Demario Bland, Jr., who were the pride of Krystle’s life. Krystle was a phenomenal mother. She served as her children’s biggest cheerleader and sacrificed to provide Zeraieh and Demario Jr. with the best in life. Family meant everything to Krystle. She proudly bestowed on herself the title of “Auntie-Mommy'' and would do anything for those she loved.

Zeraieh Nicole Bland was born January 16, 2005, in Kansas City, MO to Krystle Nicole Brown and Demario Bland, Sr. and passed away with her mother on May 11, 2023. Zeraieh was a beautiful soul and was treasured by all for her kind sweet spirit. She was a protective big sister to Demario and a beloved friend and classmate. Zeraieh was an exceptional student who consistently performed at the top of her class her entire academic career and earned a high school GPA of over a 4.0. Outside of achieving academically, Zeraieh loved fashion and movies, as well as script writing, cooking and baking, and telling creative puns and jokes. The last two years Zeraieh was a member of the Yearbook club. On May 24, 2023, Zeraieh posthumously graduated from the Ewing Marion Kauffman School and this fall she was set to attend Emory University in Atlanta, GA on a full academic scholarship.

Krystle and Zeraieh are lovingly remembered by their husband and father Demario Bland, Sr.and their son and brother Demario Bland, Jr. Krystle and Zeraieh are also deeply missed by Krystle’s mother Tammy Austin and her father Charles C. Brown.  They leave behind a legacy of love from Krystle’s paternal grandfather Cleveland Brown, Sr. (Carol); along with Zeraieh’s paternal great grandparents Melinda Davis and Shirley Bland and grandparents Adrianne Jacobs (Bryan) and Eric Bland (Deanna).  Krystle and Zeraieh were preceded in death by Krystle’s maternal grandparents Clemmie Patterson and George Austin along with her paternal grandmother Lucille McCall (Allen). Krystle and Zeraieh are also remembered by Krystle’s siblings Charles L. Brown, Joshua Hall, Christopher Brown, Ashley Wallace (Chris), and LaDonya Burks along with Krystle’s nieces and nephews D’Monterio Love, Chassidy Brown, Javaughan Hall, Charles L Brown, Jr., Kavion Kretzer, Christopher Wallace, Jr., Khyren Wallace, Casimir Wallace, and Ivy Hall. Additionally, their memories will always carry on with Krystle’s lifelong friend Jessica Spencer and Zeraieh’s close friends Markia Maddox, Brianne Miller, Lachelle Hollins and Kenneth Johnson-Meafou, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, friends, clients, coworkers, teachers and classmates.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zeraieh Bland, please visit our floral store.