- Date Of Death: June 4, 2022
- State: Massachusetts
Sunrise: August 18, 1919 – Sunset: June 4, 2022
Abney Elouise (Key) Bourne, daughter of the late Rev. Walter and Amanda (Abney) Key was born in Edgefield County, South Carolina, on August 18, 1919.
Abney grew up in Trenton, South Carolina on her parents sprawling farm with her siblings and a niece and nephew and was educated at Bettis Academy High School and Bettis Junior College in Trenton, SC. The school was established in 1881 by Alexander Bettis, a former enslaved person, minister, and founder of the Mt.
Mrs. Bourne worked a number of jobs in Cambridge during her long career in the City of Cambridge. These included the Harvard Cooperative Society and the Corcoran’s Department Stores in Harvard Square, and she taught in the Cambridge Head-Start Preschool Program. Arguably, her greatest impact on the community was made through
her work as a youth employment counselor for the Office of Manpower Affairs, the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, and the Cambridge Rent-A-Kid Program, where she helped many youth develop independence and responsibility in the world of work. Many of those young people went on to become the political, civic, and economic leaders in the city of Cambridge, and elsewhere.
Among her other civic and community activities were working as a Cambridge Election Polling Inspector and Poll Clerk for over 50 years in North Cambridge, a Boy Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader. She was an active member of the Parent Teacher Association at Peabody and Russell Elementary Schools in Cambridge, and a very active member of the Black Concerned Parents for Better Education at Cambridge High and Latin School in the 1970’s. Mrs. Bourne also served many years with distinction on the Tenant Council of the Russell Senior Housing Complex at the North Cambridge Senior Center.
Over the years, Mrs.
Abney was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell C. Bourne, Sr., four sisters, Carrie Key Johnson, Jennie Key Simmons, Lula Key McCoy, Harriett Key Holmes, two brothers, Henry Key, Walter Key Jr., and nephew, Otis (Jot) Brayboy,
“Mother Bourne,” “Gramma” was a much-loved mother of three, grandmother of six, and great-grandmother of eight. She loved the Lord, Jesus Christ, her family, and her community and leaves to celebrate her life her son, Wendell C. (Margo) Bourne, Jr. of Woburn, MA; and daughters, Gloria L. (Anthony) Lee, of Framingham, MA; Dr. Jeannette L. Bourne of Mooresville, NC; six grandchildren, Dr. Milele T. (Alvin) Francis of Smyrna, GA; Dara A. A. (Dr. James D. IV) McLurkin of Seattle WA; Noni A. Bourne of Decatur, GA; Cheo H. (Branden) Bourne-Jacobs of Brooklyn, NY; Dr. Esi M. (Ado) Rhett-Bamberg of Pearland, TX; Amandi J. Rhett of Pearland, TX; eight great-grandchildren, Eric and Arin Francis of Smyrna, GA; James D. McLurkin, V (Tano) of Seattle, WA; Nile and Noah Garrett of Decatur, GA; Indigo Bourne-Jacobs of Brooklyn,
NY; Ava and Leo Bamberg of Pearland, TX, niece, Dorothy (Sis) Powell of Atlanta, GA, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends.
In later years, home health agencies assisted her family in Mrs. Bourne’s care, and she was lovingly cared for by several special home health aides in her own home.
Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the
874 Main St.
Cambridge, MA 02139
Wake: 10:00 AM
A.
124 Western Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-876-4047
Website:
Mrs.
78 Nicholson Road
Trenton, SC 29847
July 6, 2022
10:00 am
140 Davis Road
Ridge Spring, SC 12929
803-480-0733
Website:
