Josephine Joseph (Soul Food)
Encyclopedia
Josephine Joseph is a fictional character from the 1997 film Soul Food
, and the Showtime television series of the same name. Along with her grandson Ahmad
-- who refers to her as "Big Mama" -- she serves as the moral and emotional center of the film. Additionally, she makes recurring appearances in flashback sequences on the television series. She is the subject of "A Song for Mama
", the R&B tune by Boyz II Men
which serves as the film's theme song.
Josephine is portrayed by Irma P. Hall
.
, along with her brother Pete and her two sisters, Ruthie (Diahann Carroll) and Twig. When she met future husband Jeremiah Joseph (Larry Marshall), Ruthie and Twig disapproved. The sisters' relationship never fully recovered from the resulting argument.
After Jeremiah ran afoul of the Ku Klux Klan
, he and Josephine moved to Chicago
, along with his best friend Hardy Lester (Richard Roundtree
) and Hardy's wife Ella (Gloria Foster
). Jeremiah and Hardy would eventually open a local grocery store together. The Josephs raised three daughters: Teri
, Maxine
, and Tracy, whom they nicknamed "Bird". The family began a tradition of gathering together on Sunday afternoons for dinner, irrespective of whatever else was on an individual's personal schedule. The tradition remained unbroken for approximately 40 years.
Josephine was a beloved woman with deep moral and spiritual roots. Her presence helped to keep the family grounded, particularly after Jeremiah's death. Soon after her daughter Bird married Lem Van Adams
(and after Maxine gave birth to a daughter, Brooke), Josephine was hospitalized for complications resulting from diabetes. During an operation in which her leg was amputated, she suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. Although she briefly regained consciousness weeks later while Ahmad was visiting, she had a relapse after mere minutes and died.
Josephine's presence within the Joseph family was a strong one. After her death, her grandson Ahmad and her daughters all
maintained vivid memories of her. At times, it even seemed that she was appearing to them in angelic form.
Soul Food (film)
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
, and the Showtime television series of the same name. Along with her grandson Ahmad
Ahmad Chadway
Ahmad Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. He first appeared as the narrator and central character of the 1997 film Soul Food. Originally, he was named Ahmad Simmons, and was portrayed by Brandon Hammond...
-- who refers to her as "Big Mama" -- she serves as the moral and emotional center of the film. Additionally, she makes recurring appearances in flashback sequences on the television series. She is the subject of "A Song for Mama
A Song for Mama
"A Song for Mama" is the title of a number-one R&B single by the American R&B group Boyz II Men. The tune, which was written and produced by Babyface, served as the theme song to the 1997 motion picture Soul Food, and spent two weeks at number one on the US R&B chart. To date, it is their last top...
", the R&B tune by Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
which serves as the film's theme song.
Josephine is portrayed by Irma P. Hall
Irma P. Hall
Irma P. Hall is an African American actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the 1970s. She is best known for playing matriarchal figures the films A Family Thing, Soul Food and The Ladykillers....
.
Character Background
Josephine was born and raised in Hattiesburg, MississippiHattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
, along with her brother Pete and her two sisters, Ruthie (Diahann Carroll) and Twig. When she met future husband Jeremiah Joseph (Larry Marshall), Ruthie and Twig disapproved. The sisters' relationship never fully recovered from the resulting argument.
After Jeremiah ran afoul of the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
, he and Josephine moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, along with his best friend Hardy Lester (Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree is an American actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and in its two sequels, Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa .-Personal life:Born in New Rochelle, New York, Richard Roundtree graduated from...
) and Hardy's wife Ella (Gloria Foster
Gloria Foster
Gloria Foster was an American actress, most known for her stage performances portraying an array of African-American characters, including her acclaimed roles in plays In White America and Having Our Say, winning three Obie Awards during her career.In films, she was perhaps best known as The...
). Jeremiah and Hardy would eventually open a local grocery store together. The Josephs raised three daughters: Teri
Teri Joseph
Teri Joseph Carter is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food, and was portrayed by Vanessa L. Williams...
, Maxine
Maxine Chadway
Maxine Joseph Chadway is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food as Maxine Joseph Simmons, and was portrayed by Vivica A. Fox. In the television series, the surname was changed to Chadway, and the role was assumed...
, and Tracy, whom they nicknamed "Bird". The family began a tradition of gathering together on Sunday afternoons for dinner, irrespective of whatever else was on an individual's personal schedule. The tradition remained unbroken for approximately 40 years.
Josephine was a beloved woman with deep moral and spiritual roots. Her presence helped to keep the family grounded, particularly after Jeremiah's death. Soon after her daughter Bird married Lem Van Adams
Lem Van Adams
Lem Van Adams is a fictional character from the Showtime television series Soul Food. The character first appeared in the 1997 film Soul Food as Lem Harris, and was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer...
(and after Maxine gave birth to a daughter, Brooke), Josephine was hospitalized for complications resulting from diabetes. During an operation in which her leg was amputated, she suffered a stroke and fell into a coma. Although she briefly regained consciousness weeks later while Ahmad was visiting, she had a relapse after mere minutes and died.
Josephine's presence within the Joseph family was a strong one. After her death, her grandson Ahmad and her daughters all
maintained vivid memories of her. At times, it even seemed that she was appearing to them in angelic form.