BY MELISSA VIRGIN

THE untimely passing of Shemar Thompson brought rain into the lives of his family and friends, but God shone radiant sunshine for those who mourned him.

No one was more devastated than his father Richard Thompson.

A thanksgiving service in honour of his short life was held at the Assemblies of the First Born Church in Spaldings, Clarendon, last Saturday.

The service started with praise and worship, with the casket with Shemar’s remains coming from the Kingston office of the Missionaries of the Poor.

The first lesson was read by Sugen Mitchell, who also welcomed the pastors and members of Missionaries of the Poor and family and friends of Shemar.

People’s National Party Councillor Val Wint, a former employer of Shemar’s father, was also on hand to show his support for the bereaved family.

The Missionaries of the Poor paid tribute by delivering a favourite hymn of Shemar’s, which was composed by Father Richard Ho Lung, entitled I Dreamed Of You Lord, and a representative of the group recalled that Shemar was always smiling when his father around.

Shemar ‘s sister Shawna broke down in tears while singing her tribute and was assisted by a family member who comforted her at the podium.

The second lesson was read by CVM TV’s Kerlyn Brown. Shemar had been introduced to Kerlyn Brown, who hosts the CVM programme Inspire Jamaica and the Missionaries of the Poor and both played roles in his life.

The tributes continued with Val Wint who recounted that Shemar’s father as a dedicated employee who did everything possible to help his son.

Shemar’s mother migrated and the child’s father single-handedly raised him. At one point the elder Thompson had to stop working to take care of Shemar, who suffered from brain damage which was brought on by a serious case of jaundice.

The Sunday School choir paid tribute by delivering a rendition of a song requested by Shemar’s father entitled Can’t Give Up Now.

A number of Shemar’s relatives broke down in tears during the song. Evangelist Ina Williams reminded Shemar’s father that God will take care of him, and told the church that he was the one who had given the church a great deal of help though his workmanship.

The sermon was delivered by District Overseer Pastor Ralston Coke.

A multimedia presentation was also shown to the congregation.

The remembrance was done by Shemar’s grandaunt, who told the congregation that he loved the television sitcom Full House.

Shemar succumbed to his illness on October 31. He was 11 years old.

He was interred in the family plot at Sana Hill in Clarendon.