12/7/2014 – Coalgate, OK (by Brian Bates) — I, along with many others, lost a good friend Friday.
Yvonne Alene Adcock was someone I met while documenting street prostitution on S. Robinson Ave. in south Oklahoma City.
I first met Yvonne in 2001. She was very much a street savvy woman who did her best to put up an emotionless front to hide her pain.
Yvonne never knew the love of a mother. You see, her mother was her first pimp and she sold Yvonne’s virginity in 1979, at the age of 12, to a truck driver.
The abuse continued for several years until Yvonne ran away. But she didn’t run far. She had been numbing the pain of being a child prostitute by using every manner of drug she could find.
She spent most of her life being rejected by those who should have loved her unconditionally and being used by men who wanted nothing more than 10 minutes in the back seat of their car.
Yvonne in 2002, “I’m going to die a nothing…”
Against all odds she pulled herself off the streets and away from addiction around 2004. She successfully graduated from both business school and beauty college soon thereafter.
Unable to find anyone that would employ a former drug addict, prostitute who spent time in prison, she started her own salon – A Brand New You.
Yvonne at her hair salon – A Brand New You – as featured on Nightline.
But she was unprepared for the additional burdens of a ‘straight life’ and she soon lost it all.
She disappeared for a time. But reemerged a stronger and more determined woman.
She reunited with the daughter she had long ago placed for adoption with a family friend. Yvonne married and settled down to a simpler life in Coalgate, Oklahoma.
Yvonne quickly became the face of human trafficking in Oklahoma. And while under the wing of the Salvation Army she spoke to audiences both large and small.
Yvonne addressing a large audience at an OKC human trafficking summit.
She shared her story in hope it would educate and empower those who would listen. And listen they did….
Yvonne was contacted almost daily by perfect strangers from around the world. And I call them “perfect” because that’s exactly how she saw everyone despite their flaws.
Yvonne with volunteers of No Boundaries Int’l and the Salvation Army.
Yvonne’s past though, and the stories of abuse others shared, continued to burden her… With the news of newly discovered brain tumors it simply became too much.
Yvonne made the decision to end her life the way she lived it… on her own terms.
Yvonne’s biggest fear was that she would “die a nothing.”
I truly hope as she left this Earth she was comforted with the fact she was the opposite of a nothing.
Yvonne refused to be defined as a victim. She was a fighter.
Yvonne, you did not die a nothing… You lived, despite a life of obstacles, abuse and abandonment. And, through it all you never lost your faith nor diminished your compassion for others in need.
You did not die a nothing…. You gave hope to so many with your unapologetic testimony.
You did not die a nothing…. Your wit and wisdom and sass made you an unforgettable friend to everyone you met.
Yvonne, you did not die a nothing.
Yvonne had become very close to volunteers and staff of No Boundaries International. In fact, one of NBI’s staff members was with Yvonne just hours before she died.
NBI hosted an informal evening of prayer and remembrance in Yvonne’s honor on Dec. 8. (covered by FOX25 News).
JohnTV’s Brian Bates setup a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of Yvonne’s cremation.
Yvonne’s memorial service in her hometown of Coalgate is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014.
Colgate Assembly of God
206 West Clay Ave., Coalgate, OK 74538
11:00am
Below is the video of the remembrance prayer service hosted by No Boundaries Int’l in OKC.
(48-minutes long)
Below is the slide show that was shown at the NBI prayer service.
Additional Resources:
- Yvonne’s Facebook page dedicated to telling her story – A Survivors Scars and Victories.
- Yvonne’s personal Facebook page.
- Page regarding the movie that was being drafted of Yvonne’s life. A Brand New You the movie
- Article regarding the movie of Yvonne’s life. “Aussie plans biopic on survivor of prostitution.”