KINGSTON, Jamaica — A former teacher of the Jessie Ripoll Primary School says she is disheartened by the death of Principal O’neil Stevens who she described as a mentor to many.

Stevens and his wife, Camesha were killed in a motor vehicle collision in the United States on Friday.

Camille Michael Patterson, who used to teach at the institution, was early on the school grounds on Monday to offer her support to the fraternity.

Camille Michael Patterson (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

“As a former teacher of the school, standing in prayer for the school and the school family, it’s a trying time but we continue to pray for our educational leaders and pray all the blessings even on the students here and their families and the wider community as Mr Stevens was very, very instrumental in even what we do at the NCEL (National College for Education and Leadership), and even in the community and other spheres,” she shared.

“He was a principal, mentor, so much, so much, so much. I am (dis)heartened but we trust God for all things and prayers for his family,” she continued.

(Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Michael Patterson noted that the children are in good health.

“They are fine. I spoke with his mother-in-law yesterday and they are fine. They are doing well. Support is being offered in prayer and everything possible. Just talking to her, a strong woman, she is so impressed at the gains her daughter made even at BNS (Bank of Nova Scotia). Just to see the posts on social media, those things are heartening her and strengthening her,” Michael Patterson said.

READ: Principal of Jessie Ripoll Primary, wife killed in crash