Boomija Chung's Obituary
Across her century of life, 어머니 (Eoh-meon-ni; Translation: Mother) made it clear that her decision to follow Christ would define her actions, love for family, and service to the church for all her waking moments. 정부미자 (Boomija Chung) of Odenton, Maryland took her last earthly breath on February 5th, 2024, at the age of 97 surrounded by family and friends. Following a brief bout with pneumonia, 할머니 (Halmonie as she was known to her immediate family) passed peacefully into the hands of her heavenly Father.
정부미자 (Boomija Chung) was born October 15th, 1926, as the oldest of five children to 정규황 (GyuHwang Chung) and 정부사 (Boosah Chung). She graduated 진명고등학교 (JinMyung High School) in 1944. She married 지세경 (Samuel Gee) in an elaborate celebration in Seoul later that year.
In the midst of the War on the Peninsula, she and her husband gave birth to five children: 지호진 (HoJin Gee), 지태진 (TaeJin Gee), 지해진 (HaeJin Gee), 지세라 (Sarah Gee), and 지정희 (Junghee Gee). 지세경 (Samuel Gee) served as a surgeon in the Korean Army at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (중령) while 정 부미자 (Boomija Chung) led the family household temporarily in 대전 (Daejun). Following the armistice, the family moved back to Seoul where 지세경 (Samuel Gee) served as Chief Surgeon at 연세의과대학 (YonSe University Medical School).
Later in 1984, 정부미자 (Boomija Chung) emigrated to the United States and joined her son, 지태진 (TaeJin Gee), and two daughters, 지세라 (Sarah Gee) and 지정희 (Junghee Gee), in Maryland. The next year, 정부미자 (Boomija Chung) gave her life to Christ as a member of Bethel Korean Presbyterian Church in Ellicott City, Maryland. She later served as a deacon at the Baltimore Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Odenton, Maryland until her day of passing.
She was preceded in death by her husband 지세경 (Samuel Gee), sister 정에자 (Ehja Chung), brother 정용진 (YongJin Chung), her sons, 지호진 (HoJin Gee) and 지해진 (HaeJin Gee). She is survived by three children: 지태진 (TaeJin Gee) (wife: 지명숙, Myung Sook) Sarah Edwards (Ed), and Junghee Gogue (Alex), four grandchildren: Susan Gee, Alicia Gogue, Jimmy Edwards (Angela), and Dan Gogue (Simonne), and two great-grandchildren: James Edwards (9) and Lucas Gogue (7mo).
할머니 (Halmonie) lived with a confidence of things unseen as a devout follower of her Lord and Savior. She committed her reborn life to the community; she was consistently seen making traditional Korean dishes after services each weekend. She poured her time and love into her family, always encouraging her grandchildren to eat more, “bab doh muhgoh.”
In Halmonie’s final reflections, she rejoiced in the fullness of God and how her life had been abundantly full of giving, hope, and joy. Her lasting request is that her family and friends also live in pursuit of the Lord in the same manner she strived for the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
The family kindly requests donations in lieu of flowers to Boomija Chung's church in her honor. Please make checks out to the "Baltimore Korean SDA Church" and mail to 1479 Berger St, Odenton, MD 21113.
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