Sophelia DuVernay was born on June 22, 1931, in Vacherie La., to Edward Ambrose and Mary (Ambrose) Dew. She was the first of three children. Sophelia transitioned on April 29, 2024 at the age of 92, at home surrounded by family. Sophelia, affectionately known as Momma, Grandma, Momma Dee, Ms. Dee, and SoFire McGuire, resided in New Orleans, where she attended Booker T. Washington High School. She married and raised seven children during which she received her cosmetology license and later became a Dental Assistant at Public Health Hospital. She was transferred to the VA Hospital, where she received numerous service and performance awards. Due to her skills, she was promoted to a Surgical Dental Assistant, where she remained until her retirement in 1997. Sophelia learned about Jehovah from her then neighbor, Lillian Washington. She and her husband wanted to attend the International Convention in New York, but had no one to watch their kids. Sophelia volunteered. Upon their return, Lillian told Sophelia all the things discussed at the convention, which sparked her interest in Jehovah. She began studying with Lillian and symbolized her dedication by baptism on November 4, 1972. Sophelia had moments in her life where her love for Jehovah cooled off, but in 1996 she renewed her zeal for Jehovah and served him faithfully until death. She had the honor of going to Bethel twice in her lifetime. Once in 1999, visiting the original New York headquarters's location and again in 2017, once the new facility at Walkill and Warwick was opened. After Katrina, Sophelia found great joy in helping in the rebuilding efforts of local kingdom halls and "friends" homes. She was reassigned to assist in the FirstAid department and was finally moved to the kitchen...her expertize. When individuals were sick, she would not only cook for the sick person, but for their family as well. In 2016, Sophelia attended the Pioneer Service School and continued to Auxiliary Pioneer when she was able to. During this time, she developed a close relationship with Laura Hartley and Annie Washington. They and many others would enjoy longs days in the ministry. She loved her God, Jehovah and The Gentilly Congregation became her spirtual home. She studied very hard for the meetings while keeping her notebook close with her researched answers. She was very encouraging to our young people and enjoyed attending family worship with those in the congregation. During the pandemic, Sophelia had to learn to use her computer/tablet to attend meetings and field service on zoom. She would happily join many friends with their Bible studies and supported both letter writing and telephone witnessing. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Sophelia DuVernay, recognized she carried herself with class, grace and dignity. She was the definition of a "true" lady. She had a gentle and kind heart and would give you her last. She fed your mind, body and soul with love. You felt her nurturing spirit. She always had a smile on her face and an open door. She made all feel welcomed. Sophelia absolutely loved cooking and baking and she shared that love with everyone she met. Her house was the place you went to get a good meal, day or night. Her favorite meal was smothered okra and fried fish. Nobody could top her red beans, candied yams and scratch cake, just to name a few. She learned to sew from her mom. There was nothing she couldn't sew, from altering clothes to upholstering old furniture to make it new again. Sophelia knew how to throw a fancy soiree. On many occasions, throughout the year, the Circuit Overseer and many of the friends had the pleasure and opportunity to enjoy one of her elaborate "to-dos". Over the course of many days and with the help of Charlotte and Charmaine, they would cook these large meals and decorate her house....GO BIG or GO HOME! Fishing was one of her favorite pastimes. All you had to do was call and she was ready to go! Not only did she catch the fish, she would clean and fry them as soon as she returned home. It was nothing for you to stop by Sophelia's house, only to find her painting walls, hanging curtains, climbing a latter or tiling floors. Her "guilty pleasure" was shopping online and on television. Almost daily, packages from HSN, QVC, Temu or Amazon would arrive, that she and the delivery driver became friends. She accumulated so much online jewelry over the years that she either gave it away, didn't wear it or forgot she even had it. She always ordered the latest and greatest gadgets, even though often, she had no clue how to use them and she would then convince you to buy or take the one she was replacing, by expressing How Much You Really Needed It! Looking back on her life, our family was honored and proud to have her as our matriarch. Sophelia was a beautiful person, inside and out. Both, our family and her spiritual family, were blessed to have her in our lives and she will FOREVER be in our hearts. Sophelia was proceeded in death by her grandparents, Milton and Elodie Ambrose, Malis and Mary Maho. Her parents, Edward Ambrose and Mary (Ambrose) Dew. Her sister, Marie Clark. Her daughter, Cynthia McGuire Cook. Daughter-in-law, Carol McGuire and son-in-laws, Charles Cook and James Youngblood. She is survived by her brother, Walter Washington (Ruth) and brother-in-law Carl Clark. Her children, Sherrilyn Dominick, Angela Youngblood, Andrew McGuire, Keith McGuire (Michelle), Kenneth McGuire, Kirk Boudreaux, Dwight, Micheal, Sandra and Charlotte. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Rechell, Angiette (Sam), Keyoka (Calvin), Andrew Jr., Keione, Kenneth Jr. (Dawanna), Keith, Jeren, Kirk Jr. (Angelica), Taylor, Khalil, Madison, Trenell, Lawrence, Ariel, Chelsia, Bryson and Toni. Her great-great grandchildren, Reyan, Niagara, Phillip, Brechea, Kennedy, Kameron, Lorren, Dominick, London, Kenneth III, Jordan, Londyn, Daun, Kiran, Kirk III, Kairo, Naomi, Kennedi, Kaiden, Kyrie, her only great, great grandchild, Charlie, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her entire spiritual family and friends. Sophelia was loved by many and while our hearts ache at her passing, we can hold close in her our hearts the day when Jesus will call her name and she will answer. Until then, she will be missed by all that knew and loved her. Memorial Services, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses, 6530 Hayne Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70126. Visitation 11am - 12noon. Memorial Service 12noon promptly. Zoom Information Meeting ID: 844 1903 9773 Passcode: 653000. Repast Immediately Following Radiant Event Hall, 5800 Bullard Ave., New Orleans, La. 70128.
Published by The Times-Picayune from May 6 to May 8, 2024.
