It has been reported that Titi Branch Co-Founder of the Miss Jessie’s brand has died in an apparent suicide due to asphyxia on December 4th 2014. Titi was just 45 years old and was said to have suffered from mental illness.
When the news broke I really wanted to believe that it wasn’t true, the brand has been in our lives for most of us since we became natural as one of our first choices in hair care. Miss Jessie’s was named after the sisters grandmother and quickly rose to stardom as more of us started to embrace our hair.
Titi and her sister Miko were strong business women and led the charge for hair care lines that you now see on the shelves today. They were constantly teaching and showing us how natural hair can be beautiful and cared for, I know I learned a ton of stuff from their website and seminars.
Titi was the girl with the blonde hair that most of us just wanted to have, she was gorgeous and a great in person, we cannot imagine how sister and her family must be feeling with such a loss. News of her death spread through social media last night but there has been no official statement from the family, just tweets with her name in them as an ode to her I suppose.
We understand this is a private matter and can be very hard for people to talk about so we want to send our deepest condolences to the family for there loss. R.I.P Ms. Titi.
We want to just say that mental illness is real it knows no color and should not be take lightly. If you need help of know of someone who does you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
This has truly been a rough year.
Sophronia Sang says
Oh wow. That’s too bad. Hope she found the peace she was looking for.
Tasha Thomas says
So sad and I just brought the butter creme by them yesterday. My condolences goes out to the family and may Titi RIP.
Kathya Jean-Baptiste says
So sorry for your loss.
Joyce Love says
So sad RIP
MiMi Madd says
What
Jacquetta Daniels says
So sad
Mind Ya Biz says
Right. Very sad
MiMi Madd says
This is just too much
Dominique Davis says
Nah something’s not right! Not too long ago, another naturalista committed suicide. What’s really going on?
Dellasie 'Cocoa' Aning says
I don’t think natural hair culture is related to this at all. Both women suffered from mental illness…. It happens. Not everything is a conspiracy.
Dominique Davis says
I agree not everything is but I question why their mental state was compromised in the first place.
ReNita Bouttadodisrite Dotie says
First thing that came to my mind hmmmmmm
ReNita Bouttadodisrite Dotie says
Maynotbe a conspiracy…but mighty good coincidence…
ReNita Bouttadodisrite Dotie says
Yet we always look for the easy assumption…..n be blindsided by tge actusl truth thus the reason we are still trying to prove our individual wealth….
Shenavia O. Chery says
first thing that came to my mind also..
Shannon LJ says
Omg! I said the same thing.
I'm win you sis says
I’m. It buying it. All these natural hair pioneers just dropping off and they all have mental illness? Nope not buying it. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Too many sisters falling off and you have to wonder who would benefit from such a thing. Think people! Asphyxia means dying from lack of oxygen. She could have been strangled or suffocated. It doesn’t mean she killed herself.
Ayana Johnson Berry says
Wow
Khristine Jackson says
Sorry to hear this, very sad
Nicole Barton says
Oh no. So heartbreaking
Rana Gore says
Never know ones inner pain and struggles. Rip and comfort to her family
Jasmine Nlovewithjuney Williams says
Why?
Carmenita Miamourju says
This is truly truly heartbreaking! Prayers going out to the family
Alisa R. Sheppard says
Jovandra so sad
Alisa R. Sheppard says
Maya this is so sad
Jovandra Tricy Sanderlin says
Oh wow. You never know what people are dealing with Alisa R. Sheppard. ..so sad
Sarah Juchemich says
How sad. This is a very hard time of year for many people. May she rest in peace and may her family have the support they need. Anyone who is thinking about ending their life- there is help. You are not alone. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Please reach out for help.
April Phillips Allen says
Wow… truly unfortunate.
Nita Beckles says
Latent mental illnesses, are usually intensified during the holidays. Condolences to her family.
Tee Hall says
I saw last night:( sad MiMi Madd
Monica Gatling says
Noooooooo!!!Omg. ..May she R.I.P
Tatika Merritt says
So sorry to hear that
Kiona Faulkner Alexander says
So sad. Praying for the family
Lerkeshia Littlejohn says
God bless her family
Nl Be says
RIP
Ayanna Scott says
So sad. Prayers for her family.
Carmen Garth-Delaney says
So sorry for her family’s loss prayers to the family
Tara Eichelberger says
Sorry to hear that. Sad
LaToya Wells says
So sad, may her family and friends find peace.
Janaiya Brown says
Oh my!
Maya Cole says
Very sad Alisa R. Sheppard
Teshanna James Williams says
Mental illness killing more ppl than drugs these days so sad Christina Leslie
Christina Leslie says
I as reading this, this morning. It is def sad.
Linda Herring says
I think it’s a bit tacky that all these post keep blasting it was a suicide. Has this truly been confirmed? I think a simple passed away would be better than the suicide mention.
I'm with you sis says
I totally agree. It’s tacky journalism. Asphyxia means dying from lack of oxygen. That’s doesn’t mean she killed herself. It could have been murder.
Rozzy Summers says
May Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Forgive Her Soul And Comfort Her Family!
Erika Joiner says
You never know under those smiles what people are going through
Cass Randolph says
@ Marianne Addison :'(
Sandra Slayton-Phillips says
🙁
Sasha Nd Toi says
Oh no R.I.P
Laura Aboikoni says
R.i.p..
Dawn Sears says
Prayers to her family
Nicole Ghatt says
R.I.P
Mariëtte Rosa says
So sad.. she was beautiful.. rip titi
Erica Forward says
Beautiful young lady…….Andrea Mattison.
Andrea Mattison says
Oh my…how sad!!! She is beautiful
Janis Fareira says
Mental Illness in our community is so serious. Im sorry for the loss of this beautiful woman and condolences to her family.
Dawn Daly says
So beautiful R.I.P
Karla Y. Gentry says
Tara Shephard have u read this
Cynthia Wright says
I can’t read about it keeps taking me somewhere else
Sharon Harris says
Rip prayin for da family
Debra Rutledge says
Deitra James so sad
Tazora Dotie-Moore says
Please help bring awareness to suicide and mental illness. Sending my condolences to her family.
http://www.hearmycryfoundation.org
Ashley Sproulls Denny says
I saw girl so sad
Ashley Sproulls Denny says
So sad 🙁
Deitra James says
Extremely sad mental illness doesn’t have to be the silent killer. We need more awareness and ways to get our loved one help.
Goldie Munnings says
Sorry this looks like weave to me something is wrong
Moni Monique says
Praying for her family !!!
Jackie Norman says
So sad
Nautica Coleman says
No no no what is goin on yall?
Nina Rowry says
Prayers go out! Fix it Jesus
Charlene Cha LaBranche says
Wow you just never know what ppl are going through
Davine Stewart says
God give the family strength, please jesus, ,
Nadia Richardson says
Mental health is real and we need to start talking about it. No More Martyrs
is a mental health awareness campaign that focuses on Black women.
Follow us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/Join.No.More.Martyrs
Cat Phillips says
RIP X
Quiana Byrd says
We need more attention to this matter, this is BIG so sadden to hear this, a lot of people are struggling with something in their lives. There has got to more help for everyone. If we have public announcements for domestic abuse why not for suicide prevention? I have been in a dark place before and some of us don’t get a chance to come out of it. My prayers are with the family.
Shinelle Brutus-Franklin says
Sad, who commits suicide when they have MONEY! Blessings another black person dead satisfying the white people
Tara Shephard says
Please help me get the word out…. Like and share. Mental Illness does exist in black community. We are perceived as strong and unbreakable… The reality is, we hurt too! http://www.facebook.com/blackgirlsandsuicide Thanks Karla Y. Gentry!
Pamela Joyner says
Wow it’s true you never know what a person is going through
Kourtnie Joi Sanders says
Woe Kim Bausley