Evertie M. Bourrage

In the early morning of Tuesday, August 12, surrounded by my loving family, the gates of heaven flew open, and I gladly walked in, putting on my robe and my crown that the Lord had waiting just for me. I had lived my best life, a little old country girl born in Dekalb Mississippi, to J.D and Carolyn Reed. As a youngster I learned to play the piano by ear. We went to church every Sunday, and I played for the choir at Black Water Baptist Church. In elementary school, “IV” Bourrage had a crush on me and was always sending me notes through his sister.  Time went on, However, we never dated, and he dropped out of school to join the Marine Corp.  In 1953 I graduated from high school and several months later SGT IV Bourrage came home on leave. He came to visit me and asked my father for my hand in marriage. Two days later, Tuesday, December 30, 1953, I married “IV” at the courthouse and we had our first kiss.  I think I really fell in love with him after our marriage. We were stationed in Albany, GA; Camp Pendleton, CA; and Camp Lejune, NC. Sgt. IV’s last tour of duty was in Vietnam, where he lost his life February 21, 1967. It wasn’t until he died that I found out his actual name was Isaac V. Bourrage. He was a good man!

After almost 14 years of marriage, I was on my own. Not only was I on my own, but I had 5 little kids to take care of: Evelyn age 12; Deborah age 8, Ivan age 7; Hartense age 3; and Jacqueline age 2. I left Camp Lejune and came to Cincinnati where my brother Johnnie Reed lived and sold me the home I lived in for the rest of my life. I raised our children the best I knew how. I became a hairdresser and owned my own salon. Nobody but God took care of me and my children. I joined Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church where I sang in the choir until I couldn’t anymore. I had my crew of special friends who helped along the way,  and all my children graduated and went on to have successful lives. I traveled and loved going on cruises with friends and family. When it was time to close my salon, I still did hair in my kitchen for those clients who just wouldn’t let go. And speaking of the kitchen, let’s just say, I knew my way around, and you never left hungry.

I was living my best life and then the unthinkable happened. My baby girl, Jackie passed away on December 1, 2009. There is no pain like that pain. As a mother, the “what ifs” set in. Not only did I lose my daughter, but during my 90 years, I also had to say goodbye to two wonderful grandchildren, Jason Bourrage and Candice Dodson. But God reminded me that nothing catches Him by surprise, and He makes no mistake.

So, my best life now had to happen with a permanent hole in my heart. My best life included my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, brothers and extended family. Family is truly one of God’s greatest gifts.  I widely smile as I think about my 90^th surprise birthday party in March; how the girls would come over, check on me and bring me food; when Michael would swoop in just to surprise me and love on his momma; and how Hartense took me back to where it all started in Mississippi this past July. In these final years as I began to slow down, my children and grandchildren really stepped up and made sure that I was always good. I feel so honored that they would honor me with their love.  As I look back over my life, and I think things over, I can truly say that I’ve been blessed…I have a testimony!

I flew away that beautiful morning to join my parents, J.D. and Carolyn Reed; sister, Allie Mae Reed; brothers Purvis, Marvin, and Willard Reed; daughter Jacqueline Bourrage; and grandchildren, Jason Bourrage and Candice Dodson. But, I have one favor to ask of you. Please love on those I left behind, Evelyn Bourrage, Deborah Daniels and son-in-love Greg, Ivan Michael Bourrage and his fiancé Pam, Hartense Ahmed and son-in-love Yussif; Brothers, Phillip Roye Reed, John Reed, and Carl Reed; 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and all of you. If you are here today to celebrate me, I feel very honored that you have come from near and far to say goodbye. I have only done what we all eventually will have to do. I am so blessed that I lived life until the very end. My faith in God has been my anchor. And now my soul has gone on to live with Jesus. So, You can shed tears because I am gone, Or you can smile because I have lived. You can close your eyes and pray that I will come back, Or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see me, Or you can be full of the love that I shared with you.

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