Skip to content
The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles

Tackling Mommyhood One Tantrum & Flareup at a Time

  • Home
  • About The Chronicles
  • Blog
  • In the Media
  • IBDMoms
  • IBD Events
  • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles
The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles

Tackling Mommyhood One Tantrum & Flareup at a Time

Queens

Posted on December 5, 2019 By Brooke Abbott

There has always been and will forever remain one true constant in my life. That is my family. My family is a delicious hodgepodge of intellects, artists, innovators, activists and advocates, dreamers, and doers. It is large. It is loud. It is love. The foundation of love, respect, loyalty, and togetherness was established at the turn of the century with the births of two spitfires named Roberta Charity Paul & Josephine James. The Boleman sisters. Two souls that could not be defined by their gender, race, or circumstances. The two that made a way out of no way and collectively raised a family through some of the most volatile and progressive moments in humankind. If Roberta & Josephine were the foundation for the house of Boleman, then Josephine’s oldest daughters, Beverly-Ann Leona & Cleonia Patricia, were the framework.

I’ve been privileged to live in a family led by matriarchy. By two women who referred to each other as Queen. Two sisters who lived with the confidence and compassion, humanity, we all hope to others see in us. I’ve had 36 years of a front-row seat to greatness. My grandmother Cleonia and my Aunt Lonnie have always been my everything. I didn’t grow up with a sister. I learned sisterhood through watching them love and support one another. They taught me how to find myself and define my place in the world. To dream, while seeing the reality in my dream. I wasn’t expected to be great, because they taught me that I already was. I learned how to seek my answers. How to use my faith, brain, passion, and empathy as a tool to be the very best version of myself. These women taught me how to read and write. How to set a proper table. They taught me how to listen and how to believe. They would tag team. One would teach, and the other reinforces. It was a graceful ballet of tag team that lasted 77 years.

On December 1, 2019, my aunt rested her soul. One of our Queens is physically not with us anymore. My beautiful, gracious, charming auntie Lonnie. She was a force. The aunt that always made you feel like you were the smartest person she knew. At everyone’s special events with a hug and smile. She was an adventurer and an innovator. An educator and a chemist. Aunt. A mother and wife. Grandmother. A friend and mentor. Sister. Niece and daughter. Believer. I could spend an hour listing her accomplishments and how she and about 10 other women in my family have helped change the world, but I don’t want to. Because as marvelous as those accomplishments were, the love she and work she put into our family. The way she said, “OKAY!” or “Alright!” when you did something right. Or the way she hugged and kissed you goodbye. Or the little pat on the butt before you scampered off to terrorize the cat. Or how she made the special food you liked when it was your day. Or how she prayed over you in your hospital bed. Or sent you mugs and dishes when you went off to college. Or making sure you knew the door was always opened and the phone was still on in case you needed her. Queen. Using her power to build others up in a cynical world where they are expected to fail.

I will miss her every single day that passes until all of our collective souls are reunited again somewhere, somehow. I have to believe that her spirit is still shining bright somewhere. It was just too bright to dim. I know in my soul she is waiting for us with a plate of sweet potato biscuits, a cup of coffee, and a big hug.

To my loving, courageous & generous aunt, I am forever grateful. You are a gift. You are missed.

Beverly Watkins

1934-2019

 

Blog Beverly G. WatkinsBeverly WatkinsCreoleCreole FamilyfamilyfriendsHealthlove

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

Finger Lickin’ Tasty Treats!

Posted on June 29, 2012

Okay so today while with my grandmother we were in the city near a place called Honey’s Kettle Restaurant. I had their chicken once before when I was working at Culver Studios. But I only had a piece and had never been inside. Well, once I walked in smelled the…

Read More
Blog

LA Weekend Fun

Posted on February 5, 2016October 29, 2017

This weekend is pretty bogged down with Super Bowl & Mardi Gras weekend fun! But if you are in Los Angeles, there are some pretty awesome things you can do with the kiddies. Or just by yourself, if you were me 7 years ago…or now…whatever! It’s gonna be a sweet…

Read More
Blog

Surviving Summer & the 4th of July

Posted on July 3, 2017May 18, 2018

I’m about as patriotic as they come. I love my country. I love our flag & symbols of patriotism. I love the pomp & circumstance surrounding the 4th of July. What I don’t like is, having an autoimmune disease in middle of summer. I love being outdoors. But too often…

Read More

Comment

  1. Michel Thigpen says:
    December 19, 2019 at 1:40 am

    What a wonderful tribute and memory Brooke!
    Whenever I met Auntie Lonnie I always felt her smile warmth. I still remember how it was to be at the house over there! Her spirit shines bright and strong as you write. And she is with us.
    My love and thoughts go out to you and the family.
    Hugs from Copenhagen

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Forty, The Year Of The Pivot
  • Last Year in my 3rd Decade
  • Some Unicorns Have IBD
  • Just Brooke. Just Mom. Just Crazy Creole Mommy.
  • A New Adventure Awaits

Studying Abroad GoFundMe

Donate to IBDMoms

©2023 The Crazy Creole Mommy Chronicles | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes