Essie Mae found sharing her horrible memories, however difficult it might have been, to be a burden-lifting experience. After becoming a Bible-believing Christian in her golden years, she believed what she did was biblical after reading a passage found in the book of James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Essie Mae was compelled to confess her past sins before she died because she didn't want anything to prevent her from hearing that heavenly choir as she walked through those pearly gates!