Saying farwell to a soldier, Ernestine O’Bee

Ernestine as a girl (left) and in her later years (right)

Some of the oldest Black families in Milwaukee--many going back as far as the 1930s and ’40s--paid their final respects to late businesswoman and philanthropist Ernestine O’Bee as she was laid to rest Saturday at the Forest Home Cemetery Mausoleum.

Also accompanying the body to its final resting place were friends of Mrs. O’Bee from Omaha, Nebraska, family, extended family, mentees and godchildren. All paid one last farewell to a "soldier."

For a woman who was petite, always polished and professional, who barely spoke above a whisper and walked with such dignity and grace who was always ready with a smile, the last word one would expect to be used to describe Mrs. O’Bee would be soldier.

Those who question the appropriateness of the term are not conscious of the history of Black people in America and Milwaukee, in particular, let alone the contributions to that history by Mrs. O’Bee that made her a legend and an icon in our community.

As a woman and an African American, Mrs. O’Bee broke barriers in many fields long denied our race and her gender.

Mrs. O’Bee was a graduate of the University of Michigan at a time when few Black people were able to attend college and few women were granted admission to not only top 10 colleges but also secondary educational institutions as a whole.

But Mrs. O’Bee did it and made us proud. A very religious woman, Mrs. O’Bee wore her faith everywhere she went. She became a world traveler advocating for human rights to who ever would listen. She believed all people should be treated with human dignity.

Her trailblazing impacted and improved the areas of business, society and the lives of people. She was a mentor to many young women and her love of young people was indisputable.

Through her travels and community involvement, she became a very powerful woman who spoke out on issues affecting Black people, the poor, as well as women worldwide, not only was she an activist, she also put her money and time where her mouth was.

A strong believer in education, Mrs. O’Bee was always there for young people who needed assistance to go to school, doing whatever she could to make that person’s dream real.

You could find Mrs. O’Bee serving the hungry, finding clothing for the poor; she was always very involved in her community, always trying to make it a better place. She quietly did the good things, never asking for anything in return.

So her farewell was a loss for so many. The first tributes were paid to Mrs. O’Bee by the various women, civic and business organizations she was a member of which included the Eastern Star, the Delta Sigma Theta Omega Sorority and the Zonta Club International. She played a major role with the YWCA as well as the Salvation Army and the House of Peace.

Many traveled from across country to say farewell to Mrs. O’Bee such as former Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Artison, whose wife Charlie was raised with Ms. O’Bee like a sister. Artison stated, "I have known her since we were children.

"She did so many things to help so many people. She was financially secure, but I remember seeing her ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. She never knew that we all knew of the many deeds she did. Of course, she would never tell us."

The Artisons and Mrs. O’Bee went to the same church in Omaha St. Philips Episcopalian Church.

Artison recalled the time when upon the death of her mother, Mrs. O’Bee was left the family house (Mrs. O’Bee’s late father was a very successful dentist). Being the only child of the couple, Mrs. O’Bee donated the house to the church.

"Many times, she would work all day and she would come to the Frontiers meeting and serve the Frontiers dinner or whatever else needed to be done," continued Artison. "I asked her why you do this. She responded, ‘I like helping the Frontiers because y’all like helping people.’

"She was at her best when she could humble herself and help people. Usually, people who are financially secure are the hardest group to humble themselves to help others. However, not her. She was a remarkable woman."

"Community Journal" Publisher Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo said she will really miss Mrs. O’Bee. "She was a thunderbird of love to me. While I will shudder without her, I know she gave everything to every person she could. Prayfully, I can understand my feelings are those of a mentee who has lost her mentor and it is selfish. She lived a beautiful life, she did become tired, and so we release and grant her his peace.

"We had a spiritual connection, she was a beautiful Lady," continued Pattillo. "When you meet people who love you and you just love them, love them."

The service was a beautiful one and Mrs. O’Bee looked as gorgeous and gentle as she ever lying in state. All Saints Cathedral Church was standing room only.

Reverend Fred Boyd of Jeremiah Missionary Baptist Church recited remarks and words of comfort. Sherry Hill read acknowledgements of condolences, and Father Warren Raasch delivered the sermon.

Then Mrs. Mattie Upshaw delivered Mrs. O’Bee to the gates of heaven in a song, singing "When the Gates Swing Open."

J.C. Frazier spoke a few short words on behalf of the staff at Northwest Funeral Home. Frazier said he and the staff will miss her dearly and thanked her for all that she has done.

Moreover, they were grateful for the excellent example of professionalism she left for all of them to continue to follow, stressing they will remain committed to those values.

At the burial site, Father Warren said the final words. Frazier told the gathering at the cemetery that at the end of each staff meeting Mrs. O’Bee would always ask him, "Frazier, you want me to take the hearse today." He would respond, "Yes, Mrs. O’Bee. If you will and today do it one last time, one more ride."

Mrs. O’Bee would have been 100-years-old this coming March.

Frazier released the dove at the burial site and it was as if you could hear Mrs. O’Bee's voice in the wind saying, "A bell is not a bell until you ring it. A song is not a song until you sing it. And love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. For love isn’t love until you give it away."

Well perhaps, it was not Mrs. O’Bee’s voice floating in the wind. Maybe it was just a song that doves sing when they fly. To a soldier, Atten--tion Salute!

The repast was held at Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ where Chef Jerome Pictford and staff laid out a wonderful meal.

Mrs. O’Bee left those to cherish her memory: daughter-in-Law Lillie O’Bee, cousins, Betty (Rex) Sullivan of Los Angels, California, Mary Byrd of Las Vegas, Nevada, Penny Norris of Martha Vineyard, Massachusetts, God daughters, Suzanne Conerway who was born on her birthday of Farmington Hills, Michigan and Chloe Coggs-Jones along with a host of other family and friends. The Northwest Chapels will still service this community under the direction of the staff.