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In memory of
Alma Lorraine Bostic
July 9, 1929 - April 24, 2020
Jul 9, 1929 - Apr 24, 2020
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Alma's obituary
Alma graduated from Newark's Central HS in 1946. While in school, she was athletic and considered a "Tom Boy." She then studied Nursing at New York's Presbyterian Hospital for 3 years before meeting and marrying her lifelong partner and husband, Floyd Bostic, Jr., in 1949. Together they raised their three children; Janet Bostic-Evans, Rodney Bostic, Sr., and Victoria Bostic-Margolis. They remained happily married for 66 years until Floyd's passing in 2015.
In 1953, Alma started working for the Federal Government as a stenographer in the Department of Justice. She soon was elevated to the position of Supervisor over Central Files in the Immigration and Naturalization Service. While managing a growing staff and creating a more efficient filing system, Alma also was charged with the task of editing and writing reports for the mostly male Immigration Inspectors. It was during this same time that her husband, Floyd, a Newark Police Officer, initiated and co-founded the Newark Bronze Shields, an organization formed to protect and defend the equal rights and fair treatment of black police officers. Floyd was elected the first President of the newly formed organization, making Alma the original First Lady of the Newark Bronze Shields, Inc. Always ambitious and eager to improve herself, Alma applied for the position of Immigration Inspector and was accepted into the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now known as ICE) in 1974. She was the first African American female Immigration Field Agent in the Newark Federal District and earned numerous performance awards throughout her diverse 32-year career. She was a trail blazer for women and African Americans who would follow in her footsteps, many of whom she single-handedly guided in government positions. Having earned the respect of her peers and superiors, Alma was able to refer and facilitate the recruitment of numerous African Americans into the service of the Federal Government. She retired in 1985 after a stellar 32-year career.
To all who knew Alma, she was a force of nature who always told the truth about exactly what and how she felt about everything and everyone regardless of how it sounded or made you feel! Her nickname on her job was "Killer," which was well earned throughout her entire life!
After retiring, Alma would turn her hobby of making costume jewelry into a lucrative business venture. Known for her stylish and classy taste in clothes and accessories, she created her own business which she called, "Ren Boz." She started accessorizing the models in the Emily Miles Fashion Shows (featured in Ebony and Jet Magazines), where she also would set-up uniquely attractive, well-lit, velvet lined tables for the sales of her jewelry and accessories. Once the business took off, she trained her children and grandchildren to assist and work with her. Always a supportive leader even as an entrepreneur, she helped and encouraged numerous people to start their own businesses. Alma managed Ren Boz with the support of her husband and family for 30 years until 2015.
Alma was a fashionista who was always dressed and accessorized like the classic beauty that she was right up to the end of her life. She loved to shop literally until she or whoever was with her dropped! She and her husband loved to travel and take cruises. Alma loved word puzzles, scratch offs, playing the slot machines. and playing all kinds if card games, but was particularly fond of Pinochle.
Alma was a total people person and loved being in the midst of all kinds of people regardless of race, creed, color, or religion. She and her husband were the respective anchor and rock of their family. Alma taught many lessons through metaphors, colloquialisms, and tough talks, and was known for her "no nonsense" approach to life. Alma would touch so many lives, that at times it was difficult to differentiate family from friends because she adopted everyone who was in need of her wisdom and smile.
Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Bostic, Jr.. She is survived and leaves to mourn her passing her 3 children, Janet, Rodney, and Vicki; 11 grandchildren, Erika Newkirk, Tiffany Coleman, Ebony Cathcart, Rachel Margolis, Jessica Bourne', Rodney Bostic, Jr., Gabrielle Bostic, Alexandra Evans, and Labreal, Rahnay, and A'jai Young;11 great grandchildren; and a host of friends and extended family members.
Alma Bostic was a Matriarch, a partner and wife, a mother, a grandmother, a leader, and a loyal friend. She will be forever loved and missed by everyone who knew her!
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Created with love by
Janet Bostic (Alma's daughter).
