Mattie's life began in Pleasant Hill, Mississippi, where she was child number seven out of fourteen children born to Taylor and Diana Phillips. At an early age, her life was centered around family and church. She knew God was her source of strength, and her family was her joy. That's how she lived her life, serving and performing God's will in her church, Oakville Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member since 1952, and as an adult, a missionary in the community. Mattie believed that the cornerstone of her life was family. She married the late Lee Bogard on December 24, 1956. They were blessed with five children, Charles Bogard, Joyce Bogard-Stevenson, Darnell Bogard (deceased), Curtis Bogard, and Melvin Bogard. As a stay-at-home mom, she took pride in nurturing and loving her children, even the bad ones.
She supported her children's dreams, even if their ideas seemed impossible to others. Mattie encouraged and helped them to do their best. Her motto was simple – work hard, do your best, stay out of trouble, and be happy doing what you love.
Mattie was also an adventurer and loved to travel. Whether it was on a bus, airplane, cruise ship, or road trip with her sisters, daughter, or sons, she was ready to go. She loved dancing, too. When the music would start, Mattie would throw her hands in the air and dance.
In the early 2000s, Mattie suffered a stroke, which presented her with health challenges. Her daughter, Joyce, became her primary caregiver with her brothers by her side. Mattie could not have asked for a better caregiver. Even as Mattie's health continued to slowly decline, Joyce made sure that her mom was going to live and enjoy life to the fullest. They traveled as much as possible until Mattie's body couldn't keep up with her zestful spirit. As time came for Mattie to take her seat in her sweet chariot to meet with her Lord, Joyce was right there by her mother's side until the end.
When you give love, it comes back to you. Mattie treated everyone the same, as she saw everyone as a child of God. She would say, “How can people hate you and turn around and say I serve God? Because the God I know doesn't hate. The God I know gives love.” Mattie’s love was given to all unconditionally. With a loving heart, encouraging words, and a strong arm, she was the rock for her family, extended family, and friends.
How Mattie lived her life should serve as an inspiration and goal for us all. That is to cherish family and friends, treat everyone with respect, live life to the fullest with laughter, love, music, travel, and dance.
Mattie will lovely be remembered by her children, surviving sisters, Ruby Sherley and Maud Savage; brothers-in-law, James Sherley and Van Savage; son-in-law, Larry Stevenson; daughter-in-law, Demetria Maria-Bogard; five grandsons, one granddaughter, eleven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and caregivers, Mae Branch and Vickie Williams.
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