The funeral of former Miss Jamaica Universe, Shakira Martin will be held at the Holy Family Church in Miami Gardens, Florida, tomorrow.

The service, dubbed a Celebration of Life, will commence at noon. A second event will be held in Jamaica on August 26 at Frenchman’s Cove in Portland.

Martin, who won her title in 2011 and represented Jamaica at the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, later that year, passed away in Miami Florida on August 3, succumbing to a lifelong battle with sickle cell anaemia.

Meanwhile, tributes continue to come in Martin’s memory. Among those paying tribute is Laura Butler, franchise holder for the Miss Jamaica World pageant and Martin’s close friend.

“I have been friends with Shakira for many years. Our relationship started years ago when she approached me to train her for the Miss Jamaica Universe pageant. After she won, I remained friends with both her and her mom since then. She is more than a friend…she is my sister and my heart breaks knowing of her passing. She was a tower of strength and though she struggled with sickle cell, she chose to live with it than die with it. I was just with her recently in Miami and had the chance to spend time with her to hug her and say I love you, which is how we always greeted each other and how we would part. She started Shaks Hope and worked with the Sickle Cell Foundation for many years. I will remain committed to Shaks Hope. She truly cared for those struggling with sickle cell and was determined to help bring awareness and help needed. Her legacy will live on and I will miss her dearly,” said Butler.

Uzuri International, franchise holders for the Miss Universe Jamaica contest, have announced that this year’s coronation show at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St Andrew on August 27, will be dedicated to Martin.

A gofundme campaign set up to underwrite the costs of her final expenses, has surpassed its US$20,000 target. Up to press time, 298 contributors had donated a total of US$21,750.

— Richard Johnson