At the celebration, Mrs. Ferebee was honored with numerous citations,
proclamations and letters of congratulations from governmental bodies
and community organizations. Congressman Ed Towns was on hand to award
her a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Brooklyn Borough
President Marty Markowitz presented her with a proclamation, as did
Council Member Kendall Stewart in behalf of the City Council. She also
received a proclamation from Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia
Fields and a letter of congratulation from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg,
which were presented to her by Council Member Yvette Clarke.
Rev. Linda Barnette read Mrs. Ferebee's favorite passages from the
Bible: Psalms 121:1-8 and Hebrews 11:1-10. Renee Pittman, also a member
of Mt. Carmel Church, sang, as did Mrs. Ferebee's great granddaughter, 7th
grader Lindsey Boudeau, who was accompanied on the piano by Elena
Antinova. Other family members and friends offered reflections on how
knowing her had enriched their lives.
As to her life, Lillie Mae Evans-Ferebee was born in Greensborough,
Georgia on May 2, 1903 to Willie and Sarah Evans, the eldest daughter of
six children. In 1937, she moved to New York where she met and married
the late Livingston Ferebee.
Although they themselves were never blessed with biological children,
the couple raised many family members and neighborhood children. As
Mother Ferebee puts it, her "special gifts from God" are her beloved
daughter, Sharon Borno and her granddaughter, Yolanda Denise Taylor.
Mrs. Ferebee has been the mother of these ladies from their births.
A
retired supervisor with the Federal Government at the Brooklyn Navy
Yard, Mrs. Ferebee has spent her life helping others. For over 30 years
she was a forceful advocate for tenants right in the Brevoort
Development where she was well respected for her roll as captain of the
Brevoort Tenent Association.
In
speaking of why her mother is so loved by the community, Sharon Borno
said that, for one thing, she showed the children how to pool their
money together so they could put on productions that would deter gang
violence and help with many other social issues.
"Then there were the young mothers," she continued. "Mom has always
tried to encourage girls to do the best they can for the community, but
some became unwed mothers. She took care of their children so they could
continue on with their education. It's always been a thing with her -
education was in the forefront, and she thought that even though you may
have made a mistake early in life, that didn't mean you have to stop
your life there."
Borno said that without Mrs. Ferebee's encouragement, many of these
young mothers might not have gone back to school after having children
at such a young age, and even those who wanted to probably wouldn't have
been able to finish school without the childcare Mrs. Ferebee provided
to the community. "I'm so happy to say that many of them went on to
become doctors, lawyers, nurses and business professionals," she
concluded.
As
to her secret to living a long life, Mrs. Ferebee shows that a sense of
humor is certainly a part of it. When asked, "How did you get to a 100?"
without missing a beat she replied, "I walked and got there!" Then she
went on, "I never hurt anybody. I always mind my own business and if I
saw something about you that wasn't right, I went on about my own
business."
Mrs. Ferebee also revealed that she believes in going in to get
checked over once a year, but she has always avoided going to doctors
too often. She stays away from aggravation and enjoys everything she
possibly can.
Speaking about her love for her grandmother, Yolanda Taylor said of
Mother Ferebee, "She's my life, my breath, my guidance, my strength.
Grandma, I love you always and forever, and I wish you many more beyond
100 years."
Lillie Mae Ferebee is certainly with her there. This vibrant,
indomitable woman told the guests that she expects them all back for
another party when she reaches 105.
