Essie Mae Reliford

Essie Mae Reliford, our matriarch, was born November 20, 1929 in Creston, LA to Houston and Eliza
Thomas. She confessed her belief in Jesus Christ and was baptized at St. Matthew Baptist Church as a young lady beginning a legacy of service to our Lord and Savior. As a young lady, she became a member of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church where she served faithfully as a deaconess. She was a proud keeper of the home and a loving, dutiful wife and mother.
On April 4, 1948, Mrs. Reliford united in matrimony to the love of her life, John Reliford, and to their
union four children were born. There is a saying, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules
the world." This saying was shown forth in the life of Mrs. Reliford. While she did not work outside of
the home, she performed the noblest of duties as a homemaker, and the impact she made on the
children and grandchildren she raised can be seen and felt in Lake Charles and beyond. She embodied
the Virtuous Wife spoken of in Proverbs 31..."the heart of her husband safely trusts her so he will have
no lack of gain"..."she also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household"..."she opens
her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness"...."she watches over the ways of her
household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her
husband also and he praises her."
One way Mrs. Reliford showed her love was through cooking for her family and a great cook she was! Whether it was smothered chicken, greens from her garden, or a pan of homemade biscuits, it was cooked with love and she loved watching her family eat and drink from that cup of love. She also loved quilting with her mother and sisters, every patch stitched by hand, and she loved her cup of coffee in the mornings. Mrs. Reliford leaves to cherish her memory one son, Johnny (Brenda) Reliford, two daughters, Rose (Edmond) Hanney, Shirley (Howard) Boutte, one sister Ruth Smith, 14 grandchildren Kevin (Karen) Brown, Tammy (Isaiah) Wells, David (Sherri) Diamond, Emmanuel (Shakeitha) Hanney, Robert (Andrea) Boutte, Capricia (Dennis) Botley, Jonnika (Patrick) Simon, Brandy (Reginald) Ratcliff, Randy Jermain Relford, Felecia Reliford, Johnny Reliford Jr., Melissa (Kevin) Deville, Jerica (Anthony) Evans, Denise (Russell) Taylor, Johnny Paul Vital, Cindy Vital, Leo Gallo and a host of great children, 1 great great grandchild, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in deat by her husband, Deacon John Reliford, her parents, Houston and Eliza Thomas, brother Roosevelt Thomas, son Jerry Reliford, and sisters, Eva Baker and Herman Emerson.