When seven-year-old Emouree Johnson visited her mom’s grave at the Rehobeth Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Guntersville, Ala., she couldn’t help but notice something different. While other graves had huge granite and marble headstones, her mom’s grave was marked by a small, green postcard-sized marker with her name and a generic sunset photo printed on white paper. The difference was obvious to the little girl.
“Why doesn’t mommy have one of those?” Emouree asked her grandmother, Jennifer Bordner, during a visit to lay flowers for Karli Bordner, Emouree’s mother, who had passed away in March at the age of 29. Jennifer’s response was heartbreaking yet simple: a proper headstone would cost at least $500, an amount the family was struggling to find.
Determined to help, Emouree decided to take matters into her own hands. The next day, she set up a lemonade stand outside her home. Emouree, with the help of family members, shared photos of her stand on social media to garner support.
Emouree Johnson takes money after selling lemonade to a visitor. The young girl created the stand to help fund a headstone for her mother’s grave. Photo by ABC News
“I knew my grandmother didn’t have the money,” Emouree said. “And I was really trying to help her.” The images of Emouree’s stand, featuring a clear pitcher of lemonade, a green bucket of ice, and a stack of red Solo Cups, quickly gained attention online. In no time, hundreds of people began visiting the stand and contributing to an online fundraiser that was created.
“I never expected this,” Jennifer said. “And I’m still trying to catch my breath.” Emouree’s fundraising efforts brought in about $15,000.
I cannot believe so many people care for and love my mommy,” the little girl said.
Karli and her daughter Emouree had shared a special bond. Jennifer Bordner described their relationship as “one of those mommy-daughter best-friend type of things.” They had a unique saying, “One, four, three. That’s enough for me, always and forever.” The one, four and three represented the total number of letters in the phrase “I love you.”
It was during a recent visit to the grave that Emouree conceived the idea for her lemonade stand. Starting with just four lemons, Emouree’s stand quickly drew community support. “All of a sudden, they’re calling and saying that all these city officials are coming, several different fire departments, there’s people coming from Tennessee,” Jennifer said. “I don’t know where all these people come from, but it’s been a lot.”
The temporary marker for Karli Bordner’s gravesite. Photo by ABC News
Emouree’s simple act of selling lemonade for $1 per cup turned into a community-wide effort. Strangers donated fresh lemons, and contributions poured in from near and far. The most they received for a single cup of lemonade was an astonishing $300.
The funds raised not only covered the cost of a headstone but also helped with funeral expenses and created a savings account for Emouree’s future. A monument company has since offered to donate a fitting headstone for Karli’s grave, which will bear the mother-daughter’s favorite phrase: “One, four, three. That’s enough for me, always and forever.”
Reflecting on the overwhelming support, Bordner expressed her gratitude, “Your kindness, generosity, and love for Emouree have paid for her mother’s funeral, and the headstone is being donated thanks to everyone. This has been an amazing blessing, and I can’t say thank you enough.”
Emouree remains in awe of the community’s response. “I didn’t know just making a little lemonade would bring this many people to my house. It’s fun, but it’s unbelievable at the same time,” she said.
