“The most important to all, peoples do not know God.  And most of em don’t wanna know Him.  People don’t have time for families.  You don’t sit down there and talk to them or sing together or do nothing with em.”-Words of wisdom spoken by 100-year-old, Ollie Mae Dugar.

By Rebecca S. Jones

Oprah Winfrey once shared an invaluable lesson on life in which she rendered the following.  “We live in a youth-obsessed culture that is constantly trying to tell us that if we are not young, and we’re not glowing, and we’re not hot, that we don’t matter.  I refuse to let a system or a culture or a distorted view of reality tell me that I don’t matter. I know that only by owning who and what you are can you start to step into the fullness of life.  Every year should be teaching us all something valuable. Whether you get the lesson is really up to you.”

One might conclude “stepping into the fullness of life,” would be an understatement for Mrs. Ollie Mae Dugar. By the grace of God, she will be celebrating her 100thbirthday on February 10.  Within five scores of living she has been the “backbone” of her family; a “Good Samaritan” throughout the community; an upright “Christian” in her church and has demonstrated a “witty and loving personality” to every spirit she meets.  Though gentle and kind describes her perfectly, somehow, sassy and feisty runs parallel as well.

At Galveston beach.

A Humble Beginning

Ollie Mae Dugar hails from Fulton, Louisiana. Her birthright positions her as the youngest daughter and number 11 of 14 children born to Cleveland Gite and Cora Leflore.  She never remembered much of her rearing in Plaquemine, LA, because her family moved when she was four.  Cleveland, her father was a hard-working farmer who loved his family.

In a quest to explore better opportunities for them, he relocated the family by horse and carriage and train to Beaumont.  His initial intent was to become a rice farmer, one of the “going things” in that day. Ollie Mae shared that for the first couple of years, the rice farming industry did not produce well for them. Therefore, Cleveland began raising cotton, vegetables, and fruit and could see an abundant return on his investment.

Besides going to church and school, Ollie Mae enjoyed working closely with her father in the fields and equally assisting her mother in the home.  Her undying love and commitment towards her parents were exemplified when she moved to Houston to live with her eldest brother and sister-in-law.

Siblings:  Lillian, Myrtle, Ollie Mae and Roland.

While living in Third Ward with them, she attended Jack Yates High School.  However, after learning her parents needed assistance, she decided to suspend her studies and return home to help.  In doing so, she cared and tended to her siblings.

During our interview, Ollie Mae shared some of the experiences she had while at home with her parents.  She said, “Washing was an all-day job and we had a big canal, where we would bring water in for the rice.  I used to have a bucket and would put it on the bridge to get water and bring it back to the shed and wash all them clothes on that washboard.”

She continued, “But I used to always say, ‘if things ever change for me, I want to sing.’  We had a big homemade toilet inside the restroom, and I would have it all nice and clean.  On Saturday that was my job, to clean it out with the lye soap.  Ya know, women made they own lye soap… And I would get it clean and my father would come and help me sometimes, and we would be in there just singing.”

Curiously I asked, ‘What kind of songs would yall sing?’  Immediately, she began singing, “Glory, Glory Hallelujah….” and “Going to talk to God, if you feel overloaded go and visit the man upstairs, and he will tell you what to do.”

As we continued, I couldn’t resist inquiring about segregations.  Ollie Mae revealed the following.  “We did everything within and around our Black community, because my father worked for himself.  We never interacted with or knew nothing about the White folks.  We worked, went to church, shopped and took care of each other in our own community.  I’ve lived to see a lot of change.  But, seems like we still got a very long way to go with the way things have been going on in this country.”

The Dugar Legacy

On July 16, 1938, Ollie Mae married Aristile (Pim) Dugar, the love of her life at St. Nicholas Catholic Church Rectory.  Prior to, the couple had met at a La-La (Zydeco house party dance) in Third Ward.  In 1941, they moved to Acres Home.  There, Aristile built a 4-room house for the family.

In 1949, it was extended to a 7-room home with a closed-in porch, with the help of a contractor for the framing; but, Aristile did all the other laboring work.  Ollie Mae was right by his side walking the ladder up and down, handing him the shingles-when it was time to finish the roof.

Ollie Mae taking a photo with her children and grandchildren.

The Dugars went on to rear their four children.  Barbara, James, Jeanette and Melvin.  Each attended St. Monica Catholic Church and were educated in the Aldine Independent School District.  Through Ollie Mae and her late husband’s four children, they have been blessed with 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren; who have taken her value and thirst for education to complete high school, earn Bachelors’ and Masters’ degrees, as well as professional certifications.

Along with education, Ollie Mae was consummate in passing on her hard work ethics and determination, where her family operates as successful military servicemen and officers, teachers, entrepreneurs, healthcare and business professionals.  Although Ollie Mae has been a homemaker for most of her life, she has had the opportunity to work as a housekeeper, school cook and assistance nurse’s aide.  Having never met a stranger, she is known as “Grandma” to everyone’s kids.  Until this very day, she is still; an avid reader, chef, gardener and seamstress.  If she’s not busy in her garden, planting beautiful flowers, she’s inside on a rainy-day patching quilts or mending clothing.

Mary Richard & Ollie.

Words from the Wise

Ollie Mae offers a few pointers for those who want a snippet of her fountain of youth.  They are found in the beliefs listed below:

-Keep a strong Christian faith and realize that God is always in control.

-Remember that God sits on the throne and looks high and low at everything, and everybody.  Just turn any troubles over to him and let him fight your battles.  Once you do that, sleep well at night, he will handle it.

-Relax and live simple. Be happy and content with the gifts that God has bestowed on you.

-Be willing to share what you have, no matter how little you have-no matter how-much you have.

-Never intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings.  Know that everyone makes mistakes, those of us in high and low places.  If a person truly is sorry/remorseful about the wrong they have done you, and ask you for forgiveness, it should be granted.  You not only free them, but you free yourself as well.

-Always be yourself and make your own decisions.  In the end, you will be glad you did.

-Have a little talk with Jesus every day and everything will be alright.

-Always put a little change away for a rainy day.  Better to have and not need, then to need and not have.

-Don’t wait for the holidays to eat/cook what you want.  Cook you a big spread of food to enjoy it, just because it’s Wednesday.

 

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

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