MOORE TOWN, Portland — Joyce Sylvia Harris was remembered as a “peaceful person who has just changed her address” her brother Newton Harris told mourners as he paid tribute to his late sister during thanksgiving service at the London Seventh-day Adventist Church last Sunday.

In what was a sometimes tearful remembrance, Newton, who was close to his sister as they were the two last siblings and grew up together, declared: “Please be advised that Joyce has changed her address, Jesus said there are many mansions in my fathers’ house, I’m going to prepare a place for you. My sister is in a more stately mansion for her soul”.

‘Meme’ as she was affectionately called, was remembered as one who loved and cared for her six children.

“She was not the one for confrontation she believed in peace and if disputes arose among us she would wait for the right time to settle our differences; this worked well for her as invariable whenever a despute arose among us I would end up getting the guilty verdict as I was known as the most aggressive person than her,” he said.

“I have pleasant memories of family time with her and accompanying our mother to the market and riding on mules. It was evident that she was our father’s favourite child. To Joyce family was most important. She loved and cared for her children and she always sought the best in them and encouraged them to excel,” Newton stated, “We deem it an honour and privilege for your being a part of our lives. We miss you and we will forever relish in our hearts fond and loving memories of you.”

Jerolyn Phillips, a family friend, read a moving poem from one of her grandsons Akeem which had sentiments such as “so much anger… so much pain… now that I know that you are up there I know that you are not alone because you are in a better place than at home… the feelings I have for you I will never hide, I know deep down in my heart I will make it and be strong. I know that one day I will be up there too… she always dress nice and have a certain attraction and have a passion for fashion… you will never be forgotten and forever you are my angel forever in my heart you will stay and in God’s arm you will stay”.

Son Boncroft Osbourne was sentimental in his poem I Wish You Were Here.

“Mom you are not alone in that dark narrow road the sunlight is all around you, I wish you were here, my feelings ponder me continually I can only picture you in my mind, it’s hard to survive your absence, no one can replace you. We were proud of who you were, we were proud of what you did stand for, so have no fear be of good cheer, for I know the dream of purity and sweetness will find you a good place of rest,” he chanted.

Sandra Deans-Mclean in giving the children’s tribute stated that their mom was “reliable, caring and consistent in her support for us and made those critical decisions for us. She was never conflicting or wavering in the things she taught us and the practical examples that she set in the life she lived. She left no room for confusion, misinterpretation or misunderstanding as to the values she was instilling in us. She was very caring and calculating in her actions for us; our interest was the motivating factor in her decision even though there were times she had to resort to tough love and made decisions we see at the times as outrageous. Whatever resources she had she made available to us.”

Deans-Mclean reflected on three valuable lessons Harris imparted to her children.

“There are three lessons we take away from her to us;

To forgive others and never be vindictive or revengeful (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14, 15; Ephesians 3:5) these lessons mould us into the persons we are today;

Be grateful and appreciative for whatever small favour anyone grants you 2 Thessalonians 5:18…she would always taught us to be grateful and not burn our bridges behind us…She loved her family and kept each of their cellphone number in her book. Mommy, Aunt Joyce taught us how to be grateful and to express appreciation as this is a legacy we will forever honour; and she taught us to show love John 3:17; she taught us to show love and, whenever we are coming up from Kingston she always tell us to take something for others,” she said.

“She was so determined to help others and when we told her we were broke she would say ‘take even a Captain’s Bread, man’; she was an excellent cook and cared about what she eat and encouraged us eat properly; she loved children and cared for a number children from the district and treated them from whatever little she had. She loved us unconditionally and during her last days her wish was to be with her children; God has truly blessed us with a wonderful mother and we will have her in our hearts forever.”

Elder Delroy Jackson in the sermon challenged all to live a good life committed to Jesus Christ and be a good example as one choose life and live similar to Joyce Harris we can go to be a better place. We need to be ready for when God calls us home.

Moving musical tributes were rendered from New Covenant Apostolic Church quartet of Maureen Garrick, Paulette McLeary, Carol Lattibeaudire and Veta Lyons doing What A lovely Name as Lyons returned to do Tear Drops; Joan Kildare I Know I Can Make It and Lorna Roberts Never Grow Old.