Boulware Family

Alberta Bush Boulware

May 27, 1890 - August 21, 1962

"The Grand Matriarch of the Boulware Family"

Mama Alberta and Papa Jim had fouteen children; Lillie Mae, Carlie, James Boulware, Jr. , Isabelle, Flemon, Hilliard, Tena, Thomas, Mamie, Mary, Mennon, Lila Bell, Jake, and Georgia.

Mama Alberta was a very dedicated mother and a loyal wife.  She was a very strong woman that would have a baby one day and be back in the field on the next day if the weather permitted.  She was very caring and dependable.  Mama was known to be an authoritative figure in the household and in the community.  Whenever she spoke, everyone moved.  She was always there for her family in the time of need. If she knew of anyone that died, she would make plans to attend the funeral.  She had this philosophy, when she died someone would have to attend her funeral.

Mama's favorite saying was "Bend the sap while it's young; spare the rod, spoil the child."  This meant you would get a whipping.  She made sure that you had a bath and that you put on clean underwear "in case you got sick and or hurt and had to go to the hospital." She made sure the house was clean before going to bed at night. She taught her children and grandchildren to cook and clean at an early age.  Another saying of her's was "if you big enough to mess up, you are big enough to clean up."

Mama Alberta relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in November 1949 with her family.  There were always grandchildren around her: Pete, Bobbie Jean, Jimmy Lee, T.J., Ethel Mae, Alma Marie, Melvin, Snookie and Mamie.   The house was always full.

Mama Alberta wasn't one to run back and forth to doctors.  Her home remedies for colds, rashes, body aches and pain were very successful.  At times the smell would be so bad that no one could get near you, but it worked.  She endured illness with great patience and courage.  Sometimes late at night you might hear her praying.  Her favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalms, which she would make all the grandchildren repeat daily.

Mama Alberta was also very domesticated.  It was nothing for her to get up early in the morning to start cooking, cleaning, canning, quilting, sewing and fussing at the grandchildren to get up and start working.  All the children in the neighborhood knew her because she took care of them, fed them and spanked them as well.  She enjoyed attending church and after relocating to Charlotte, she joined Mt. Carmel Baptist Church until she passed.

Mama Alberta is remembered for her structural life-style, disciplinary enforcement and an authoritative figure for all the family.  You could not live any kind of way around her, nor could you be disrespectful around her.  She loved her family and if one was sick or in need, she felt it was her responsibility to help.  If you were a part of the Boulware family, it was your responsibility to help as well.  She believed that the family should work together as a unit and not individually.  She also believed that since she was the mother, grandmother and the backbone of the family, you were supposed to do what she asked you to do, and the next eldest would do the same in her absence.  It was an unwritten rule and no one seemed to question it.

Many mourned the passing of Mama Alberta because she was the backbone of the family and she truly wore the title worthy of her maternal vocation as the Grand Matriarch of the Boulware family.

Mama Alberta leaves a strong legacy for her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, and so on to follow: "There's strength in family unity, and if one eat, all eat, because I said so."  Mama Alberta always had the last word; we're still standing by her word.

Mama Alberta Boulware passed on August 21, 1962 at the age of 72.