“A Life Well Lived”: Memorial Service today for Botham Shem Jean, killed by DPD Officer in his apartment.

As I sat in my office watching the live stream of Botham Shem Jean’s memorial service….hot, heavy tears rolled down my face. I left the door to my office open purposely, cranked the volume up on my phone so that anyone that walked by could hear the singing pouring from my speakers. For me, today is a day of unified mourning, our city mourns, along with Botham’s family for a young life taken to soon. I’m hurt, I’m angry, I’m confused, and heartbroken for his father and mother, his sister and brother, his family, and close friends…..but I’m most heartbroken ….for Botham. I can’t help but think what a beautiful legacy you are leaving behind….but what more could you have done for this world? The tears won’t stop flowing. I’m so sorry that this happened to you dear brother in Christ…I am so very, very sorry.

As I read through several of the comments on the live stream, there were some that questioned why the family had chosen to allow Botham’s service to be broadcasted live. Firstly, I thought of all of his family members and friends in his home country, or people like me on the other side of the city and country, who were unable to physically be there with the family to pay homage to the life of Botham. I thought of how blessed we are to have technology that allowed us to be present during this moment, even if from afar. Lastly, I thought of when Mamie Till Mobley held an open casket funeral on September 3, 1955,  where she urged the world to look at her son, Emmitt Tills, beaten, broken, and unrecognizable body. These photos were undeniably important to the dissemination of the story of Till’s murder, but it is the actions of his mother Mamie Till Mobley that pushed her son’s tragic death into the international spotlight.

Botham Shem Jean’s family invited those present and those of us watching near and far through the live streaming of their son and brother’s memorial service to take a look into the life of their loved one who should still be here with them today. Shared were photos of him singing at church, spending time with friends, priceless family photos, intimate moments of a young Botham, graduation photos. He was always smiling, living…his best life. There were no pictures of him in a hoody, with a gun, or throwing up gang signs to be found for the media to distort the extraordinary life that this young man gracefully lived. Not one bad thing could be said about Botham as one by one, the Chancellor and staff from Harding University,  close friends, family members, and PwC senior partner and chairman all took the mic to speak eloquently of this young man dubbed, a “Prince of the People”. Tommy Bush, friend and business mentor: “Botham aimed high in everything he did. He knew the songs he was supposed to sing at my funeral, this was not supposed to happen.”

Allow me to pause, to wipe the tears that are clouding my eyes making it difficult for me to continue writing. For those who attended the memorial service, who watched the live stream, or who are following this story via the news and internet,  I hope that we are all moved to not only take note of this senseless murder but all of the senseless murders of black men that are plaguing our nation. Undeniably, Botham Shem Jean should be alive today.  And on this day, as we pay tribute to a life well lived, I will not allow the politics surrounding the senseless murder of this young man overshadow his beautiful life. But I will leave the Dallas Police Department with these words…The world is watching…Botham deserves justice. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” Psalm 125:2

We bid a sincere farewell to our dear brother Botham Shem Jean… to his father, mother, brother, and sister…this world was a better place because of Botham’s generosity, faithfulness, and love. The impact he has made on this world through the life he lived shows other young Christians that it’s okay to be holy and educated, to have a career and be a godfearing man of God is priceless…we thank you for sharing him with the world. His life was a story that has to be shared. Peace be with you…

Memorial Gifts
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harding University – St. Lucia Global Missions Fund, 915 East Market Ave., HU 12238, Searcy, AR 72149. Cards for Botham’s family may be sent to the alumni office, Box 10768, Searcy, AR 72149.

Scholarship Funds
The Jean family has established a scholarship fund in Botham’s honor, and his employer PriceWaterhouseCoopers has created a memorial scholarship for minority students majoring in accounting at Harding. If you wish to contribute to either of these funds, click here to give.

https://public.serviceu.com/GivingForm/25543/?OrgKey=fc33b1f6-dfa3-44ac-b9de-b705e33f6b5c

Prayers Requested
Botham’s life and death have touched so many, and he leaves a legacy of great faith. Harding University asks to please join them in praying for Botham’s friends and family and for all who were touched by his extraordinary life.

-Gigi Powers