GOVERNMENT ministers, members of the entertainment fraternity, family, and well-wishers came out in their numbers to pay final respects to Floreth Griffiths-Allen at the New Life Assembly of God on Constant Spring Road in St Andrew on Thursday, December 21, 2017.

Griffiths-Allen, 76, was the older sister of reggae singer Marcia Griffiths.

The sisters, along with other siblings, were described as inseparable during their early years in Hannah Town, Kingston, and were all lovers of music.

Family members — clad in yellow, Griffiths-Allen’s favourite colour — gave tearful tributes throughout the service.

Daughter Nickesha Allen offered a poem she had written for her mom almost 15 years earlier.

“Saying or showing the love will never be easy, but to attempt to say just how special you are would go to infinity… We love you to the depths of infinity,” she read from the book where she penned the piece nearly two decades prior.

She said: “What I describe today is what she was her entire life. How unique could it be that something that was written 15 years ago could still be valuable to describe that person today? ‘Cause that’s how she’s always been. As difficult as this is for me to stand here, I want to stand here forever talking about her and hearing about her; see her laugh, see her smile, even see her get upset. Everything about her was good.”

Parliamentarian Dr Fenton Ferguson and Olivia “Babsy” Grange, minister of culture, gender affairs, entertainment and sport, as well as record producer Donovan Germain and Monty Blake of Merritone were spotted by the Jamaica Observer. Booking agents Sharon Burke and Jerome Hamilton were also present.

Judy Mowatt — who, along with Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley were part of the Bob Marley harmony trio, I Three — did a riveting solo. Singer Pam Hall also performed a rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.

Alicia Flemmings also contributed in song.

“Although it is a sad moment, a bittersweet moment… we can rejoice. The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and that gives us great assurance. We are not going to be like some who will just mourn without a purpose, but we’re going mourn knowing that [she’s okay],” encouraged Mowatt, before leading the congregation in worship.

Giffiths-Allen’s son, Everaldo, could hardly find words to express his sorrow but managed to thank his siblings and family for their love. He gave special thanks to his Aunt Llyneth (Marcia), who he said would go out of her way to help her sister. His sister, Sandria Allen-Morris followed by singing one of her mother’s favourite songs.

Floreth’s grandchildren also added to the list of tributes as they presented a medley of songs to wish their ‘mama’ farewell.

Griffiths-Allen — affectionately called Mother, Mama, Flo, and Lovingly — leaves 11 children: six daughters and five sons. In his presentation of the eulogy, her brother-in-law Errol Minto recalled how motherhood moulded her into the person she was.

“Taking on this new chapter in her life ignited her true purpose, love — which she only knew how to show and give paving the way to be called “Mama”. She wasn’t just a Mama for her children but for so many kids, including adults. Floreth always had a listening ear, a giving hand, and a kind heart, never less than giving good advice. Her generosity knew no bounds. Her children always knew that they’d better have enough food because no matter how many visitors came on any given day, she would just send that person around to the kitchen for food and the children had to better find food. Whether it be for food, clothes, shelter, money or time, she’s always giving and that’s how she taught her children,” said Minto, who is grandfather of reggae singer Skip Marley.

The service ended on a high note as the officiating minister, Reverend Hilary Reid, urged those in attendance to allow the Lord to give them true satisfaction.

Griffiths-Allen was interred in the Dovecot Memorial Gardens in St Catherine.