They say to be known is to be loved. For J’nelle Clements, that would be a massive understatement.

J’nelle was known and adored by so many people, from so many different places and walks of life. She was the kind of person who truly touched every soul she encountered. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel special, loved, and as though she had known them their entire life. Not many people possess the gift of vibrance and vivacity quite like J’nelle did.

Perhaps it was her incredible magnetism, or her unique brilliance, that allowed her to succeed in every endeavor she took on. She began her adult life as a graduate of Villanova University and went on to earn her MBA from Drexel University—already making strides before she even began her professional career. It was no surprise that J’nelle quickly made her mark in the professional world, ultimately rising to the position of Chief of People—a title that could not have been more fitting for the person she was.

One of J’nelle’s greatest professional achievements came through her work with PAGE—Philadelphia Anchors for Growth and Equity—where she launched the PAGE Hurdle Fund, an initiative created to help bridge the capital gap for Black- and Brown-owned businesses. She was deeply committed to creating opportunities for others and devoted much of her career to diversity, equity, community development, and nonprofit work. She consistently surrounded herself with people and organizations that represented excellence, and she was determined to use her talents to make an impact far beyond herself.

As if her success in the professional world were not enough, J’nelle continued to create an incredible path of her own.

In 2019, she embarked on her first independent mission: Bubbles and Brews, a mobile bar business that quickly became a staple throughout Philadelphia. Her brilliant mind came up with the idea of transforming an Italian milk truck into a mobile bar that could bring the party wherever it went. But while her creativity and business acumen brought the idea to life, it was J’nelle’s personality, warmth, and infectious energy that truly made Bubbles and Brews a success.
What began as people hiring a company soon became something much more personal. People weren’t just booking Bubbles and Brews—they were inviting J’nelle to become a part of some of the most important moments of their lives. She had a way of turning a business transaction into a friendship and an event into a memory.

With her first venture becoming such a renowned success, it seemed only fitting that J’nelle would continue to expand her horizons and create something even bigger. In 2024, she launched The Social on Morton, a bar and restaurant that she poured her heart and soul into. If you had the opportunity to experience the space she created, then you know just how special it truly was. The Social was everything J’nelle loved: community, family, and a damn good time. Whether it was a Sunday spent watching the football game, a relaxing weeknight dinner, an event highlighting local business owners, a karaoke session, or a full-blown party, every moment was thoughtfully curated by J’nelle—and every moment was magical. It came as no surprise that within its first year, The Social on Morton was recognized by Main Line Today as one of the “Best of the Main Line.”

J’nelle was not only known and respected by those fortunate enough to know her personally. Her impact reached far beyond her immediate circle. She was named one of Philadelphia Style Magazine’s Dynamic Women, recognized as one of the “Top 25 Women in Power Impacting Diversity” by Diversity Plus Magazine, and received numerous honors for her professional and entrepreneurial accomplishments.

Her success was never simply about titles, awards, or businesses. What made J’nelle extraordinary was the impact she had on the people around her.

Alongside being such a prominent force in the professional world, J’nelle was deeply and genuinely loved by her family and friends. She married Tyrece Lawrence in 2016. It would be nearly impossible to name just one person as her best friend because J’nelle had a way of making everyone feel as though they were the most important person in the world. She was beloved by people she had known since childhood, by friends she made in college, by colleagues who became family, and by countless people she encountered throughout adulthood. She touched hundreds of lives in a way that was uniquely her own.

But her most special bonds were those she shared with her family. She was the person who showed up, who celebrated, who encouraged, who loved loudly, and who made sure the people she cared about knew exactly how much they meant to her. The loss of her physical presence is a pain that cannot be put into words, and her family will carry both that loss and her love with them forever.

Her mother, Patricia Clements, was her absolute lifeline. Their bond was incredibly special, and J’nelle loved and cherished her mother deeply. Her brother, Jamal Clements, was her big brother and protector. He was someone she could always look to, someone who had been there for her throughout her life and who held a special place in her heart. Her cousins, Wes and Doug, also grew up alongside J’nelle and were more like brothers to her than cousins. Her sister, Tatanisha Clements, shared a bond with J’nelle that was rooted in love, loyalty, and a lifetime of memories. And then there were her nephews—Javon, Jaden, and Jamel—who were truly more like sons to her. J’nelle loved them fiercely and took so much pride in the young men they were becoming. She showed up for them, supported them, celebrated them, and made sure they always knew how deeply they were loved. J’nelle was preceded in death by her beloved father, Claiborne Clements. Though his absence was deeply felt throughout her life, the love they shared remained a part of her always. We find comfort in knowing that J’nelle and her father are now reunited, together again beyond this life, where we hope they are sharing the love and laughter they always knew. J’nelle was also preceded in death by her beloved dog, Zeke, who was not just her pet, but her son and one of the great loves of her life.

Although her loss weighs heavily on the hearts of all who loved her, J’nelle’s legacy lives on through the lives she touched and the causes she believed in. After surviving two brain aneurysms over the past year, J’nelle became extremely vocal about the importance of brain aneurysm awareness. She used her own experience to advocate for others and to bring greater awareness to an issue that had become deeply personal to her.

Giving back was always at the center of who J’nelle was. She believed in helping people, creating opportunities, supporting her community, and leaving every place she touched better than she found it. In that spirit, her family has chosen to honor her legacy through the Gift of Life.

As we navigate this incredibly difficult loss, we ask that you help us continue J’nelle’s mission through the way we live, love, and give.
In her honor, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Bee Foundation, supporting brain aneurysm awareness, or to Gift of Life, helping give others the same gift of life and generosity that J’nelle believed so deeply in.

J’nelle spent her life making people feel known, loved, celebrated, and seen.
Now, it is our turn to make sure she is never forgotten. 

https://thebeefoundation.org/
https://www.donors1.org/

Services will take place on Friday October 2nd, 2026 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Smithfield. The visitation will take place from 10AM to 11AM, followed by the service at 11AM.