She found peace.

On April 25th, my mom finally found peace. A girl from Tallulah, Louisiana who watched a spacewalk on TV and felt something pull at her heart. In fact, that was just how she moved through the world: heart first. She saw someone step into open space and decided she would do whatever made that possible.

Her heart led her everywhere. Her love for math and computer science led her to defense where she helped design the Aegis combat system, tested Tomahawk missiles, and had a hand in the B-2 stealth bomber. She walked Navy ships alongside the highest ranks with pearls on, often the only Black woman there. From rooms with admirals to a sitting president, she shared her brilliance in spaces most of us only see in headlines.

But the same heart that pulled her toward all of that pulled her just as hard toward people. It convicted her to shift. So she founded a ministry and built a community. Quietly, she helped people find their footing, first jobs, and ways forward.

The part of her I got to know was…complex. It was smart…no, brilliant. Knowing how to approach the most daunting of problems. It was bullheaded and stubborn, which made me understand what it is to never lower my standards. It was funny, allowing me to find laughter in even the most mundane. It was creative, opening up my eyes to a world in color. And, my God, it was sophisticated in such a way that I can only hope to grow into.

I can’t fathom all the things she held. But she lived life well despite it all, and when things stopped making sense, she still gave her heart to God. She poured her heart into so many. And as her daughter I feel blessed to have experienced it.

Heart to heart.
Always.