Josephine Abram
Published 2:53 pm Friday, August 3, 2018
Ms. Josephine Abram was born Feb. 27, 1945, in Columbia, Miss., to the late Jobie and Alice Nelson Abram. Her early education began in the Columbia School System until 1953 when she moved to Bogalusa. This is where the legend of Big Joe was born.
She was reared at Second Missionary Baptist Church and attended Central Elementary and High School, where she became one of the most feared basketball players in the state. Upon graduating in 1964, she attended Grambling State College where she earned her B.S. in 1968.
Josephine began her teaching career in Opelousas, before relocating to Chicago, Ill. Once there she taught on the Westside at Westernhouse High School, she was also the Athletic Director at Mason Park where she helped defend the park from gangs to allow children the opportunity to play safely. After years of living in Chicago, she moved her family to Las Vegas, Nev., where she worked as a sous chef with her brother Joseph Whalum. Her mother’s illness brought her home in 1979 where she quickly reconnected with her community and church. She served as the VBS director for many years, the women’s mission and adult choir. She was a member of the Professional Women’s Service Club and played softball throughout Bogalusa. She worked various jobs, including The City of Bogalusa, Billup’s Service Station, Bogalusa Tissue Plant, Crown and Gaylord Box Plant where she retired in 1994. After years of retirement she hit the interstate with her daughter doing what she loved: TRAVELING.
Josephine departed this life on July 22, 2018, at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jobie Abram and Alice Nelson Brookter; eight brothers, Cleveland, Joseph, Samuel, and Enoch Whalum, Luscious Jefferson, David, Calvin and Neal Brookter; and two sisters, Lillie Mae Warner and Levada Whalum Johnson.
She leaves to mourn her passing a daughter, Angela Foxworth Everett of Columbus; a son, Clarence Alan Foxworth (Deandra) of Bogalusa; a granddaughter, Clariona Alise Foxworth of Franklinton; five sisters-in-law, Mary Whalum, Lennie Brookter of Chicago, Daisy Lee Whalum of Columbia, and Letha Whalum and Ruthy Whalum Stull of Las Vegas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, Aug. 11, at 3 p.m. at the Second Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Christopher Matthews officiated. Interment was at The Whalum Cemetery in Columbia.
Cook-Richmond Funeral Home was in charge of service.