Erma Jean Boddie

Life's Journey

Erma Jean Boddie was born April 30, 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the first child born to
George Washington and Ethel lee (Dean) Boddie. She has two siblings: Roosevelt and Rosie lee who
were also born in Birmingham. The family relocated to Berea, Ohio when Erma, better known as Jean,
was five years old. They lived in a public housing development until she was sixteen years old. Jean
attended public schools. The family moved to Cleveland, Ohio where Jean graduated from Glenville
High School in 1958.

Growing up, Jean's health was fragile at times, but she always kept a positive attitude. She loved to be
around children and would babysit some neighborhood kids as a teen.

Jean liked being active and was a very sociable person. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She
looked forward to family events: picnic, parties and family reunions. She enjoyed traveling and going to
amusement parks. People would remark about how pleasant she was and how they enjoyed being in
her presence. She was kindhearted and compassionate towards others - especially children; although
she never had any of her own. Jean stayed busy. She didn't mind using public transportation. She was
so proud when she learned to drive and when she purchased her first and only car.

Jean never married but she had hobbies and interests that made her life exciting. She loved shopping!
She was meticulous about her appearance. She kept her hair groomed and her fingernails manicured.
She liked matching her outfits with costume jewelry and hats. She also enjoyed cooking and the
outdoors, especially the spring and summer months. She even had a yellow pet canary named Tweety.
Jean was a baseball fan. Her team was the Cleveland Indians. She was proud of her baseball caps.
More recently she would entertain herself with adult coloring books.

Jean was employed by the Cleveland Public School System as a teacher's aide. She worked at various
schools for fifteen years before she retired. Former students would recognize her when she was out and
about. They would let her know how much they appreciated her when they were in school, how much
she helped them when they were young and how her kindness impacted their lives.

Jean accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was 16 years old. She joined Mount Moriah Baptist
Church in Cleveland, Ohio and was baptized by Reverend Brown. She served as a children's Sunday
school teach. Jean attended faithfully until her health failed. She loved her church and often spoke of
their concern and how Pastor Smith and the ministry team were faithful in visiting and bringing her
communion while she was confined to the nursing home.

Although Jean had many interests, hobbies and her job to keep her busy, she had calling on her life. She
faithfully cared for her mother for 34 years. She never complained. They lived together and looked out
for one another. Jean stayed with her mother until their home was sold and her mother moved into a
nursing due to declining health. Jean obeyed the gospel commandment and "honored her mother" and
she received the promise of longevity pronounced by God.

Erma Jean Boddie passed away peacefully on January 4, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio while residing at the
Fairfax Place Nursing Home. She is predeceased by her parents: George and Ethel Boddie, nephew
Anthony Brewer and niece Monique Boddie. She leaves to mourn her passing: sister, Rosie lee (Bobby)
Woods; brother, Roosevelt (Madalyn) Boddie; nieces: Pamela Boddie, Amber (Joseph) Boddie-Hill,
Giselle (Andrey) Boddie-Wannamaker and nephews: George Boddie, Jason Woods, Jeffrey Woods,
Dwayne Woods and extended family and friends.

We thank God for sharing Erma Jean with us for over 80 years. Rest in peace dear one, until we meet
again!

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