Marie Antoinette Petrus by Gracious Grafx

The Celebration Viewing

Remembering Marie Antoinette

James Clarke

_________________________________________ Blessing of the Body Rev. Father Louis Kemayou Entrance Hymn

Enter into Jerusalem

Enter Into Jerusalem

Enter into Jerusalem, let us go to God’s house With the healthy and the sick, with the worker and the weak, Let us go to God’s house. Enter into Jerusalem, let us go to God’s house, Come and run with the wind and the God who reigns in peace, Let us go to God’s house. Refrain We go celebrate, we go celebrate, we go celebrate, oh, Israel! Praise the name of the Lord on high, praise his name in song. Praise the Lord with a heav’nly song, with a heav’nly song, with a heav’nly song, praise the Lord.

Enter into Jerusalem, mek we walk adown there, Swaying to the breeze with the God who reigns in peace, Mek we walk adown there. Refrain Enter into Jerusalem, let us go to God’s house With your papa and your mama, with your uncle and your aunt, Let us go to God’s house. Enter into Jerusalem, let us go to God’s house, Run and catch the breeze with the God who reigns in peace, Let us go to God’s house. Refrain

Enter into Jerusalem, mek we walk adown there, With the young and the old, with the little and the large, Mek we walk adown there. Greeting and Opening Prayer

Rev. Father Louis Kemayou

First Reading Junauda Petrus-Nasah

A reading from the book of Lamentations 3:17-26

It is good to wait in silence for the Lord God to save.

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me. But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. Good is the Lord to the one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord. This is the Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23

Second Reading Angelique Petrus-Faulkner

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans 6:3-9 Let us walk in newness of life.

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him. This is the Word of the Lord. Gospel Reading Deacon Denis Griffith Homily Rev. Father Louis Kemayou Prayer of Intercession Reflection Hymn

How Great Thou Art

Final Commendation and Farewell Recessional Hymn

When the Saints Go Marching In

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

Rev. Father Louis Kemayou

Songs of Praise & Hope How Great Thou Art Oh 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

And when I think that 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 Refrain

Refrain Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow, in humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art Refrain

When the Saints Go Marching In Oh, when the Saints go marching in, Oh, when the Saints go marching in, I want to be in that number, When the Saints go marching in.

Oh, when the new world is revealed, Oh, when the new world is revealed, I want to be in that number, When the new world is revealed

And when the sun begins to shine, And when the sun begins to shine, I want to be in that number, When the sun begins to shine.

Oh, when the Saints go marching in, Oh, when the Saints go marching in, I want to be in that number, When the Saints go marching in.

Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call, Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call, I want to be in that number, When the trumpet sounds its call.

Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:28-29

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

arie Antoinette Petrus, also referred to as “Anto,” was the first of seven children born to Alexander Petrus Sr. and Hosanna Balfour on December 8, 1927, on the beautiful Island of St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands. She grew up on Queen Street, in Frederiksted, where she lived with her ten siblings, Melvin, Irene, Alexander, Edwin, John, Julia, Leonile, Ena, Ina, and Rosemond. Marie attended St. Patrick School. Shortly after completing the 6th grade, due to certain circumstances, she had to withdraw from school and work to help the family. Marie started working as a baker for a family in Frederiksted. After a few years she moved to New York with her siblings Alexander, Edwin, Julia and Irene, and worked as a nanny for numerous families in the city. While working in New York, she was advised by her doctor to return to her hometown in St. Croix. Returning home to St. Croix, Marie moved to Ralph D. Chabert Project with her three younger boys, Vincent, James and Jeffrey. Marie was employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands as a Food Service Worker. She served at numerous schools such as: St. Croix Central High School, Juanita Gardine School and Alexander Henderson Elementary School. She remained at Alexander Henderson School until her retirement. She worked for the Virgin Island Government for more than twenty years. Marie eventually moved her family to Walter I. M. Pavilion, better known as Safarelli, in Frederiksted. She loved being around her family. While residing at Walter I. M. Pavilion, she started the process to build her home in Estate 33B Whim, next to her sisters Ena, Julia, and Irene. While living in her new house in Estate 33B Whim, she decided to go back to school. The only way she could accomplish that was to get her driver license. She started taking driving lessons after work and on the weekends. A few months later, she got her driver license and bought her first car - a Toyota. Marie wanted to get her high school diploma. She attended night school at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School, where she completed Middle School, then transferred to Central High School where she received her High School Diploma. While attending Central High School, one of her classmates introduced her to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Barren Spot. She became a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Marie (Anto), was a woman that was full of life. Marie was an entrepreneur, she sold lottery tickets for the Virgin Island, raffle tickets for the church and she was an Avon Sale Representative. Marie was a diva when it came to getting her hair done and dressing for church. She always had a new hairdo and was always in style, buying her church attire from her sister’s boutique. She was a simple woman who loved God and her family. She would always tell you “I got to go to church on Tuesday and Sunday”. She looked forward to going to prayer meetings on Tuesday nights. She loved Sunday Services and sitting around after Mass joking with her friends. She was a devoted member of the Parish community where she was a member of the Sacred Heart Society. She enjoyed playing bingo and pokeno with her friends. She enjoyed dancing quadrille. She loved listening to calypso music in her house on the radio and could dance herself away when she hears music. She was good at storytelling as well. Marie would sit on her front porch and tell stories of growing up in Frederiksted On October 7, 2021, God saw fit to call Marie Antoinette Petrus home to glory. She will be truly missed by her family, friends, and church members. Rest in Peace Marie Antoinette Petrus. We love you Mom!!!!

LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:1-2

Melvin Petrus (Son) 1) Yvette Reed GD •Yliana Torres- Reed GGD Lucas Drake GGGS •Yolanda Reed GGD Mariah Torres GGGD Giovanni Torres GGGS Aiden Robertson GGGS •Michael Reed GGS Mackenzie Reed GGGD 2) Angelique Petrus-Faulkner GD •Donovan Faulkner GGS 3) Janis Bryant GD •Aliyah Bryant GGD 4) Charles Petrus GS •Charles Petrus Jr. GGS •Kobe Petrus GGS 5) Leslie Wilson GD •Case Wilson GGS 6) Sosthenes Petrus GS •Aniyah Petrus GGD •Ethan Petrus GGS •Zavian Petrus GGS 6) Sosthenes Petrus GS •Aniyah Petrus GGD •Ethan Petrus GGS •Zavian Petrus GGS 7) Junauda Petrus-Nasah GD •Isley Nasah Miller GGD 8) Onika Petrus GD 9) Inaje Petrus GD 10) Szavio Petrus Raaum GS 11) Mirah Petrus Raaum GD

Vincent Petrus (Son) 1) Sean Petrus GS •Raegan Petrus GGS •Kai Petrus GGD

JAMES MARVIN CLARK (Son) 1) Christopher Clark GS

Jeffrey Petrus (Son) 1) Isaac Petrus GS

2) Michael Clark GS

KEY GS = Grandson GD = Granddaughter GGS = Great Grandson GGD = Great Granddaughter GGGS = Great Great Grandson GGGD = Great Great Granddaughter

Our Inspiration Mommy, thank you for our blessed childhood and for teaching us that hard work pays off. You taught us to be polite and respectful toward others. Mommy was a very lively person in her younger years and was known to take her boys wherever she went. As a single mom raising four boys, she knew that we would have fond memories of these outings. You were so much more than just a mother and grandmother. You are an inspiration for us to follow. Loving you always and forever: Melvin, James, and Jeffrey.

Age had not seemed to mellow out “Mom” as I called her, because when we met she was still the witty, quick-mouthed, strict disciplinarian that her sons had described her to be in their early years. Until her sudden turn of health in September 2021, she kept her caretakers on their toes but with a smile on their faces. When Isaac would get rowdy and run around, or cry, she would shout out “who is that getting all loud? Listen to your mother now... my hand is loose, my hand is loose!’’ Her words were accompanied by her shaking her hands as if ready to give a spanking. It gave everyone a good laugh. She enjoyed good food and had strong opinions about the “meals on wheels” she received, which to her, were boring and bland to say the least. Her loss of eyesight did not take away her independence either. During our annual summer visits, it amazed me that she could feel her way around and although she required some assistance, her shower time was done independently. Her shower time (lol). Long before meeting mom I had heard about her loooooong showers, despite their use of a water tank which had to be refilled at a cost! Was she independent? This woman raised four boys all on her own, never relying on a mate to support them; by all accounts it was always JUST the five of them. I have always admired that fact the most about my mother-in-law. She taught them to cook, clean, sew, iron, and had them in church every Sunday. All qualities I am sure the daughtersin-law are grateful to her for. She did her job as a mother, she always asked about her grandchildren, she loved the Lord and served Him until the very end. She ran her course, and ran it well. Now she has gone on ahead of us with no more earthly sorrow or pain. We love you. Genevieve – Daughter-in-law

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

Reflections Auntie, my heart is hurting knowing that God called you home. However, I am thankful for all the memories we shared together. I appreciate your support during your lifetime towards my family. You were always asking for your (my boy) Dimetri, and then you would ask about your (other boy) Zamarie. Auntie, you were always a diva when it came to your dressing for church and having those awesome hairstyles. I am going to miss my special times with you dancing and telling stories. Thank you for allowing me to be your niece, and for being a part of my life. A piece of my heart will be gone knowing that I will not see you in the physical world, but I always have my videos to look back at the times we shared on earth. Rest well Auntie, until we meet again, I LOVE YOU!!! Your niece - Iyieachia Petrus-Byron (Tish) Thank you, Auntie, for the spanking, the naps, the cod liver oil and mineral oil and the tough-talking you gave us. As children we think grownups are the meanest people in the world, but as we grow up, we realize the love that was behind all of that, and we are better because of it. Farewell, gentle giant, Aunt Antionette. Sleep with the rest of your siblings who have crossed over to the other side. We have another angel watching over us. Amen. Your Niece Carolyn Chappelle Another Matriarch called home to Glory!!! Antoinette Petrus our Auntie, our father Edwin’s eldest sister whom we loved with all our hearts. Living in New York City the majority of our lives, our fond memories we had with our Auntie was on holidays or summer vacations. Auntie was big in personality, keeping us laughing but stern in her discipline. Auntie was always the big sister to her siblings, a great mother to our cousins, and a loving Aunt to us. She was one of the matriarchs of the Petrus family. We were familiar with her living in the same compound with her other sisters. That is something that we loved and those times will truly be missed. We are blessed to have had those experiences and all the fond memories of Auntie Antionette. Rest in peace Auntie, we love you!! Edwin Petrus, Hans Petrus, and Sandra Petrus-Campbell (nephews and niece) Dearest Antoinette: It is with heavy hearts that we are saying our goodbyes. So long, farewell. We’re sorry, that you left us so soon. All we can do now is remember the times that we all had together as a family. Our family, as everyone knows, was a close-knit family. We celebrated birthdays, graduations, weddings, etc. by having barbecues over at my house/yard, and picnics at the pool/beach, and parties. No matter what, memories of you will forever live in our hearts. Your loving sister Irene and family

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

Nuggets of Wisdom Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young. Arthur Wing Pinero By the time you’re eighty years old you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it. Bill Vaughan We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future. George Bernard Shaw Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. Victor Hugo

Treat your parents and elders the way you want to be treated by your children later in life. Anurag Prakash Ray The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. Andy Roony Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3 Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; Thy elders, and they will tell thee. Deuteronomy 32:7 Labor for learning before you grow old; For learning is better than silver or gold. Silver and gold will vanish away, But a good education will never decay. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

With Grateful Hearts Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence. Pope John Paul II

We would like to give a special thank you to Ms. Joyce Abramson for taking care of our mom’s finances and groceries for the past few years. Ms. Abramson would also drive our mom to various places when she needed a ride. Ms. Abramson has been a true friend and confidant to our mom for the past few decades. We are so grateful that our mom had a friend like this in her life. We would also like to thank Jacqueline McClean for taking care of our mother over the years. She made sure our mom moved to safety during hurricane Maria. She would also keep me informed daily about our mom’s wellbeing. There were days she had to put up with our mom’s feisty attitude and still showed her the love as a true friend should. We are eternally grateful. Melvin, James, and Jeffrey.

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus

Acknowledgments The Petrus family would like to thank everyone who took the time to be in attendance today. Some of you traveled far to say your last goodbye to our dear Anto and we appreciate your sacrifice. We are grateful for the phone calls, expressions of sympathy, prayers, and all the other ways we have been supported through this difficult time. Please continue to pray for our strength and comfort as we move on after today. Special thanks to the clergy and staff of St. Ann’s Church for your assistance in planning the home going of our loved one.

Professional Services

James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.

6AA Estate La Grande Princesse, Christiansted, St Croix 00820, U.S. Virgin Islands

Interment

Frederiksted Cemetery

Frederiksted, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Pallbearers

Honorary Pallbearers

Jeffrey Petrus Charles Petrus James Clark Christopher Clark

Melvin Petrus Sosthenes Petrus Michael Clark Szavio Petrus Raaum

Concept Design & Editing Annette Taylor-Spence

Love CareFronting, LLC

954-439-5615

Printing

Pentecostal Tabernacle International, Inc.

www.PenTab.org 305-651-9696

Art Direction & Design Shawn Ferguson

Gracious Grafx Studios

www.GraciousGrafx.com 954-515-9016

Celebrating the Life of Marie Antoinette Petrus