“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” – Unknown
Heart
THE
OF A MOTHER
A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. –Agatha Christie
There’s no love like a mother’s, Her heart is filled with care. With Christ as her example, Her Savior’s love she’ll share. A mother’s love is endless, Not changing for all time. When needed by her children, A mother’s love will shine. When days on earth are over, A mother’s love lives on, Through many generations, God’s blessings on each one.
TRIBUTE TO
Mom T
o a mother who had unlimited influence in my life – a woman who was precious, worthy to be respected and loved. A woman who I admired for her uprightness and her willingness to love the lord with all her heart and might.
She was hard working; I truly do not have the answer to explain her total commitment to her family wellbeing. No matter how difficult thing were in our lives, she never gave up or lose hope in the lord. Her love for her children was unconditional. She made it her life purpose to ensure that her children had food on the table. She taught me a vital principle of life of why it is important to live within my means. We laughed together, we cried together, oftentimes we agree to disagree when necessary. The love we had for each other was real. Now there are many things I would have liked to say and to laugh with you about; mom we never even had the opportunity to visit the new Burlington; I miss you so much. You never met your first great grandson Zander. What can I say? Words are inadequate to express my deepest love and appreciation for my dear mother. Her friends called her Florence…. some of them called her Flo, but for me it was a pleasure to call her MOMMY. She was a friend to me in times of need – a shoulder to vent and share my pain. She was my councilor, my adviser and guide. No matter the time of day she was available provide words of wisdom to a troubled child. I keep hearing her soft and caring voice still ringing in my ear, “Karen you need to think about your health; stop stressing out yourself; leave it to god and time.” My life will never be the same without this gem; the chain is without the main link that leaves a void in my heart. No one or thing can fill this void, but I pray to God that with time and can learn to live without her presence. Mommy, I can honestly say that I have great gratitude for those great years we spent together as mother and daughter. I am grateful for your words of wisdom and the time you took to share them with me, especially during the bad days. Now it is my duty to share your words and your life lessons with my children and grandchildren; thanks mom, you are simply the best, better than all the rest. Take your rest and I know we will meet again. I love you- Carlene
DEAR
Mommy
Oh Mommy, where do I begin? How can a single tribute capture all that you mean to me? How can I marshal my raging emotions and physical pain to express in this text how much I love, respect and miss you? In my own strength I can’t; but by God’s grace I will. From my earliest years, you recognized the unique child that I was, and you guided, corrected, and supported me on my journey to becoming exactly who The Most High intended. I remember many times during my teenage years when your intuitive wisdom and strategic handling of my strong personality preluded any acts of rebellion. You made sure that my surroundings did not deter who you wanted me to be. Today is the day where we will celebrate all the joys that you brought to us. I will take this time to express my sincere love and appreciation to you my mother Ms. Florence Williams. Even though my heart is aching, I am happy that you are in better place. You are gone from this world but you will live on in my heart. My love for you will forever be that beacon of light that will be used to guide myself, my children, my siblings and the countless lives you have touched. You are not here with me in the flesh, but your spirit will continually be appreciated. I loved every moment and memories we shared during our 46 years together. The advices you gave me when I needed a friend will never fall on deaf ears. The many meals you have prepared for me from your heart will never be forgotten. I was not the perfect son, but our relationship was perfect. Your pain, sorrow, happiness and laughter were precious to me. I enjoyed listening to your stories which exemplified just how strong of a woman you were. Believe it or not, your stories gave me the reason to stay motivated – to put my family first. The hard times you experienced in your upbringings were never a curse, but a blessing that helped to shape my moral values and sense of purpose in this life. I will never forget the good times nor the bad times we shared together; the days when you cried because you were happy, or when you were feeling sad; the smiles when we defeated the odds, and most importantly, the funny look on your face when you shared your sense of humor with others. You had no problem laughing even when you were the brunt of the joke. Mama Flo, you are special to me in EVERY way - I will use every opportunity in this life to express my deepest love and aspiration for your jokes, your smiles, your strong will to fight for what you believed and the love you shared with your children and grandchildren. You are indeed one of a kind, special in every way and you will forever be loved. Your love and dedication to your family will forever be the driving force used in my life to navigate my conscience. Without a doubt, you are the mother others only dreamed of having for themselves. I wished I had more time to express my love for you.
Love you forever my queen -Gregory
Mommy
LOVING…CARING…
W
ords cannot explain how I feel about losing you. Mommy, I love you with a lifetime of love and I know you loved me even more than I loved you. Sometimes I wonder why good people must die when they have so much more to give.
Mommy, your love was unconditional. You were my best friend, you were my counselor, my guide and my lucky charm. Now you are no longer here with me – I find it a struggle to cope without you. I was not expecting to lose a mother at this age. I thought you would be with me forever – mommy I miss you so much. I knew you were not well, but I prayed every day for your good health and strength to return. There is no love like a mother’s love - you have proved that to your children time and again. There was never a dull moment with you. You knew how to make me laugh. What am I going to do now? The hardest words to say now is, goodbye. I truly thought those words would have been the last words to say to you – I truly thought you would have been with us forever. You will eternally be loved and missed FLORENCE WILLIAMS! Rest in peace Mommy, you are in a better place now- Taneika
Sunday, December 22, 2019 Service 2:00 p.m.
North Miami Beach Seventh Day Adventist 18671 NE 25th Place North Miami Beach, FL 33180
Officiating Minister Pastor Ruben Joseph
Order OF SERVICE
Processional Sarah Mclachlan ‘In The Arms of Angel’ Opening Remarks/Welcome Opening Prayer
Pastor Ruben Joseph
Sis Pauline
Congregational Hymn
#86 How Great Thou Art
Scripture of Hope 1 Thess. 4:13-18
Khalil Haughton (Grandson)
Special Song Minister Brown Tributes North Miami Beach Church Open Tributes Special Song Wallie Sharpe Scripture of Hope Jaheim Haughton(Grandson) Psalms 121 Family Tributes
Jada Haughton and Imani Garel
Special Dedication ‘Mama’ Boys 2 Men
Gregory Haughton (Son)
Eulogy Gregory Haughton (Son) Video
Remembering Florence
Song of Meditation
Kyendae Pinnock
Homily Pastor Norman Harding Closing Song
Wallie Sharpe
Closing Prayer
Althea Grant
Recessional ‘It’s so hard to say Goodbye’ Boys 2 Men
CONGREGATIONAL
Hymn
How Great Thou Art O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art And when I think of God, His Son not sparing Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow with humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Life’s
JOURNEY
O
n January 25, 1951, God displayed the beauty of His love by lending to the world a precious gift. Florence Williams was born in the Parish of Trelawny, Jamaica, to the proud parents of Vassy Dunkley and David Williams. Little did we know that this beauty would bring so much love and joy to people from many different walks of life. Although named Florence she was affectionately known as Flo Joe, Mama Flo, Mommy, Grandma and the list goes on. As a mother, she was one hundred percent involved in her children’s well-being, and often had to be reminded that “We’re grown adults,” but that never stopped her from telling you when she didn’t approve of something. She enjoyed taking care of children. She was present and ready to raise all my children, my sisters’ children, my friend’s children, and the children she came across in our community. She touched many lives with her nurturing and caring spirit. My mother, Mama Flo was a great woman. If I was a jealous son, I would have been at odds with my mother because every friend that came to visit, she skillfully won them over. You know how she did it? Through Kitchen craft. She always prepared her favorite brown stew chicken with rice. She used to enjoy watching my friends and I as our eyes roll over as we suck and chew every piece of bone from the chicken. One of her passions was to please others with hot delicious meals. I remember she cooked a large pot of meatless red peas soup for me and a friend, we both sat and ate but could not stop until the pot was empty. Another instance was when my friend initially came to visit for 2 days but that 2 days turned into 2 weeks. He fell in the kitchen trap set by Flo. That’s the skill of Mama Flo’s hands. His favorite line was, “Mama Flo mi love the oxtail bone.” She was a friend and counselor to many, including my friends. She was an excellent listener who took pride in helping us solve our challenges and she would always find ways to use her own experiences to guide our path. She knew how to inspire others to dig deep and give more of themselves in a productive way.
Mama Flo was an exceptional singer. I remember the first time I introduced her to NMSDA, almost the entire congregation was crying during the song. One person said to me recently, your mother was supposed to sing a special selection at my funeral. She was a special soul to us. We are going to miss her singing. I pray my beautiful daughter Jada will rise to the occasion and take her grandmother’s singing talent to another level and make her proud in spirit. I was an Olympian for Jamaica, and I thank GOD for a great career. What most of you may not have known is that Mama Flo was a sprinter when she was young. Yes, I am blessed to have received my athletic abilities from none other than Mama Flo. Her story of poverty and hardship prevented her from pursuing a career in track and field. She said, “Son, it was very hard to train or compete when I was always hungry.” Another gift I’ve received from Mama Flo was the gift of hard work. She had a strong work ethic. As a youth, I admired my mother’s willingness to give her best effort on the job. She never took short cuts. She reminded me constantly that when you have a task to do, do it with the best of your ability. She would say, “Don’t complain, just do your best.” Words seem futile in expressing how deeply thankful we are that God allowed us to be mothered by such a precious woman. Strength, despite of circumstances, and God’s grace which guided her footsteps and kept her mind sound while raising us by herself. We have watched her live out her Christianity in the face of tragedy, betrayal, and terminal illness. Mama Flo, your passing has hit the family hard. My life has changed forever. Some days I’m disoriented because I find it hard to accept the fact that you are no longer here in the flesh. Some days I feel sad because I am not going to be able to taste your magical hands in the kitchen again while having those great reasoning sessions. It is a monumental struggle every day for the family to know that we must move on without you. But when I put things into realistic context, I smile to myself because I know you are in a better place. Mama Flo, this world will not be the same without you. But one thing I’m sure of is that your moral values and principles will live on through me and passed on to all your grandchildren. Your life on earth may have expired on November 30, 2019, but your spirit, personality, principles and values will forever live through the many lives you have touched. Your faith in God through his all sufficient grace is a legacy of hope that others can emulate. I am a living testimony. Florence is survived by her children; Carlene, Gregory, Taneika and Taneisha; Grandchildren; Siblings: Alma Green, Icilda Lynch, and Charles Williams; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and a loving church family. Sleep in heaven Mommy, Mama Flo, Grandma, Aunty…Till we meet again. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. The Lord has given and now He has taken away. BLESSED BE HIS NAME! God bless you Mama Flo.
Florence CIRCLE OF LOVE
Florence CIRCLE OF LOVE
Grandma BY IMANI GAREL
The sound of a flatline echoes in my ear Losing another loved one was one of my greatest fears I see your face inside my mind it’s like we spent a 100 years Maybe I’ve shed a 100 tears But none of them give me relief From when I saw you in that bed and I knelt down in disbelief It feels like cancer’s just a thief Cause you’re the third one that it took and it’s still robbing me of peace But I just hope you found your peace And after everything you’ve done to write you this would be the least Cause raising us was never easy Teaching us was never speedy But I never saw a time where you would ever dare to leave me So I thank you for the lessons And for praying on my blessings Though no poem could explain all of the thanks that need addressing This is me...saying I’m sorry for the days I failed to try This is me...saying I love you and that love will never die This is me...saying goodbye until we meet up in the sky
ONE
Day
AT A TIME
I’m only human, I’m just a woman Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am Show me the stairway I have to climb Lord, for my sake teach me to take one day at a time One day at a time, sweet Jesus That’s all I’m asking from You Just give me the strength to do everyday What I have to do Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus And tomorrow may never be mine Lord, help me today, show me the way One day at a time Do you remember when You walked among men? Well Jesus, You know, if You’re looking below, it’s worse now than then Cheating an stealing, violence and crime So for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time
Florence’s favorite hymn, which she sang often as she encouraged herself in the Lord. It tells how she lived – trusting God daily for guidance and strength.
