FORMER Dancehall Queen Carlene Smith says she has not come to terms with the passing of her nephew, reggae singer Jo Mersa Marley, who passed away on Tuesday.

“I’m still hoping it is not real and [that] it is a promotion for something,” Smith told the Jamaica Observer‘s Splash through tears on Thursday.

Smith said she was at the Nuttall Memorial Hospital in St Andrew on March 12 — 31 years ago when her younger sister Kerry-Ann gave birth to the young Marley. She recalled how that will forever be the happiest moment of her life, as the family gathered to welcome the bouncing baby boy into the world via Caesarean section.

“He was 10 pounds, two ounces and he had blonde hair and blue eyes. He was just looking at me like ‘I know you. I know that voice’ ’cause I used to talk to her tummy. I looked at him and I was like ‘wow!’. He was just smiling…the newborn baby was just smiling. He looked like he was about two or three months old because, a 10-pound baby is a big one,” she reflected.

Jo Mersa (given name Joseph Marley) is the first born of Stephen Marley and grandson of reggae icon Bob Marley. He died of a suspected asthma attack in his car in Florida on Tuesday. He leaves behind his wife Qiara, six-year-old daughter Sunshine and 12 siblings.

Reggae king Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 of cancer. He was 36.

Smith added that the family has plunged into a deep state of mourning due to the passing of Jo Mersa Marley.

“It is very traumatic. She [Kerry-Ann] is not taking it well, at all,” she said as she grappled to maintain composure.

She further recalled fond memories shared throughout his childhood and teenage years over the numerous summer trips she took to Florida.

“When he was about 16 or 15, we had a party and there was some Smirnoff Ice and we notice seh we can’t find him anywhere. Turns out he went around the back and he took the Smirnoff and was around there trying to screw the top off; ’cause you know in America that’s how they open bottles. Little did he know it needed an opener ’cause our bottles are shut tight. When I found him he said, ‘Auntie mon, this bottle don’t good! It cyaa open.’ And I said, ‘Yuh right, it cyaa open!’ And took it from it. He knew it was alcohol and that’s why he went around there,” she said.

Adding that the last time she spoke to him was Jamaica’s 60th celebration in August, the proud aunt beamed at her nephew’s lyricism. According to her, it was always evident that he would become a singer.

“He always had an interest in music. They were brought up in music. Remember, this is Stephen Marley’s son and Bob Marley’s grandson. He did something with Nickelodeon and Disney as a child. He could deejay, like, real hardcore deejay,” Smith said.

Jo Mersa was known for songs such as Burn it Down, Made It, and No Way Out.

Despite the tragedy, Smith said her nephew has cemented his name on the path of stardom. She is also imploring others to appreciate the borrowed time they have with their loved ones.

“His legacy is the songs that he has and his beautiful daughter… I want to say to everyone, don’t take things for granted with your family. Even if you don’t love me, respect me because if you do then the love will come after,” she said.