Booker T. Bilbrew and Emerald Uniforms Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship has been a dream in the making for awhile and is being dedicated to a wonderful father and man who cared deeply about his family. Booker T. Bilbrew was an Army veteran of 22 years who served two tours in Vietnam. He was a diesel truck mechanic who truly loved what he did for a living. In fact, the only thing he loved more than repairing and rebuilding an engine was his family. He raised his two children Keith Bilbrew, a founding member of the scholarship, and his sister here in Fayetteville after he retired from the Army.

Booker T., or “Bilbrew” as most people called him (he was “Pops” to family), eventually opened his own diesel truck repair shop that he named after his beloved late wife, Ann Holtkamp. Holtkamp Truck Service was still operational when he had a severe stroke in November 20212. After the stroke, he had locked in syndrome and while his mental abilities remained intact, he was totally unable to move or talk. He was cared for around the clock by Keith and his wife, Emerald, and step children including Emyah and Lamark Body until he passed away at home just shy of his 80th birthday on March 8, 2017. Keith still ran his truck repair business as “Pops” wanted him to, despite the fact that none of the family were mechanics.

With Booker’s passing, the family decided to close the shop and divert their business skills to an industry that they had knowledge of and Emerald Uniforms, LLC opened in 2017. Emerald Uniforms provides medical uniforms, shoes, equipment and accessories as well as other adult work uniforms for fire, police, hospitality, culinary and other business office attire. This is something both Keith and Emerald have experience with as they have used and worn these products for many years. Dr. Keith Bilbrew, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, CFER, CGRN has been in nursing for more than 30 years starting as a medic in the Army and currently employed in Advanced GI Lab of Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Dr. Emerald Bilbrew, DNP, MSN, BSN, RN, CMSRN has been in nursing for more than 20 years and is currently teaching at FTCC in the Associate Degree Nursing program. Emyah Body, RN, is just coming into the profession and is currently working on 8 South, a medical step-down floor at Cape Fear Valley Hospital.