Melethia Juanita Williams [Mel] was born to Melovan and Althea Williams in the month of October on the thirty first day in the year 2001. It was evident that Melethia was no ordinary child. The uniqueness of her name says it all [Melethia - a combination of her parents’ Christian names and Juanita which means blooming rose]. Melethia was a beacon of hope, a sparkling ray of light and a living bundle of joy. She first shone like a little star from Buckfield Basic School to Ocho Rios Primary where she blazed her trail on to Ocho Rios High and when found the need to blaze even hotter, she sparkled at the Iona High School. As a student, Mel was very artistic and excelled in areas of art, design, technical drawing and Electronic Document Preparation Management (EDPM). She put her creative talents to work by designing and selling beautiful head bands, belts and church hats [yes, Mel was a little entrepreneur]. Mel was a church baby from birth. As far as can be remembered Mel was dressing like a little church lady, wearing hats before she could even walk. At age five (5) she recognized the need for her soul’s salvation and took on the name of the Lord Jesus in water baptism; she subsequently received the infilling of the darling Holy Ghost. Mel was a talented singer who never failed to belt out the songs of praises in her beautiful Soprano voice. She was active in Praise and Worship and a pivotal member of the singing group, Peculiar Praise [which consisted of some of her Apostolic peers]. She sang on the Youth and combined choirs at church and with the regional and national choirs when they ministered. It was evident that Mel had a special gift, when at a tender age she gave a tribute at the funeral service for Sis. Rhema Brown with the song “You raise me up”. Pastor Jones even sowed into her ministry after hearing her sing. Mel was an ardent Sunday School student who would take great care in being present and on time. She was very helpful in VBS [Vacation Bible School] and it would be her joy to take care of the tiny humans during this time. She was so doting and responsible that she earned the name “Auntie Mel” among her peers. Youth Service was a way of life for Mel. She was very dedicated, faithful and helpful to the youth ministry; always present for youth services and could always be relied on to carry out the vision of the youth leadership. She was also a past youth committee member. Junior Camp and Teen Camp could never miss Mel…and she was not just a mere attendee, but was very active; whether it was singing in the camp choir, helping with praise and worship or ensuring that her fellow Bethel Campers were ok, Mel was there to serve. She recently sang with saxophonist [Bro Vincent] at Calvary Tabernacle. After expressing thanks to her parents, Vincent told them Mel has declared that she was going to be his manager. Mel was a close granddaughter to every elderly member in church. Mel was every parent’s other daughter; Mel was a niece to every adult in church and to every child she was their cousin/sister. Mel was a member of every church family here at Bethel and was known to everyone.
In the family Mel was the vivacious niece that could not be avoided, the pride and joy to grandparents [first granddaughter of Bro Steve and Sis Easey]. Mel was a great sister! She was Makeithia’s (Mak Mak’s) protective and caring big sister. Mel and Mak Mak had an inseparable bond, it was never one or the other as they were always together. They would say no to each other verbally, but their eyes and mind had a yes connection. She was a playful companion who loved to dress up and always wanted to learn house chores, especially cooking, long before she was tall enough to see what was being done on the kitchen counter. Mel was that light that will never stop shining, the voice that’s so distinct and the helpful fingers whose prints can never be erased. She was the child that made the home complete. Her dad was especially proud of her, having realized how mature she had become in the ministry and how she was excelling in recent months…when she was called on to minister, she sung solid hymns. Mel didn’t think of life with limitations- she believed that despite her health challenges, if she was determined enough then anything was possible. When she started having seizures in Grade 6, while attending Primary school, it worried the family as she was about to do her GSAT, but Mel was determined to press on. As Mel got older, more and more she wanted to explore and had a passion to become many great things: she was already a gifted singer; she was keen on developing her culinary skills and every given opportunity wanted to test her creativity in the kitchen, but her desire to become a teacher was still left to be explored. She loved young children and Early Childhood Education and one of her aspirations was owning and operating a Day Care Facility. Mel was always seeking ways to improve herself and occupying her life with doing whatever her hands found to do. She was pursuing the Customer Service Level 2 through Heart Trust and had plans do a course in Floral arrangement. She worked part time at Sophia’s All-natural Salon and did work experience at LD’s Jamaican Art. She was a busy little lady with no time to waste. She was always happy and playful, but for Mel dressing up was serious business! When the dressing of someone she was close to wasn’t to her suit, “that nuh look so good” would indicate her disapproval, but when it was to her standards, “ yuh a happen” or “ a how you hot so”, told you she liked what you were wearing. Mel was picky about her colours and how they matched or complimented each other. She always made it her priority to look good for God even when she was going to bed. Her cousins would agree that Mel was their spokeswoman; if any of her cousins were restricted from doing or participating in something, she was a part of, she was ready to negotiate with her warm smile and “Aunty cho maaan” or Uncle maaaan”. By the time she was done with you, you’d have to reconsider if you were being too harsh. Mel was popular among her peers and she was excellent at those things she did. She was known by many [Adults & Children] for her genuine embraces and her playful slap on a certain part of your body. Mel could not hold a grudge. No matter how ‘strongly’ you spoke to her, she would never hold it against you. Even if at first she felt embarrassed, just give her two minutes and she would come around as if nothing had happened. She would never pass you [especially at church] without asking “auntie u alright?” or “uncle, u good?” “U sure?” She is no longer a slave to fear, no longer a slave to sickness, she is a Child of God. Many things about tomorrow we may not understand, but we know who holds the future and we know Jesus will hold our hand. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it…earth’s loss is temporal, but heaven’s gain is eternal. Mel has left to mourn: father Melovan, mother Althea, sister Makeithia, grandparents Easey and Hazel, uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives and friends and her church family.
FOR MY
Mel
Just like a cold, misty day Where no sun, but gloomy clouds hover over my day No matter how the sun may try to illuminate the sky And has a slim fighting chance to brighten the day That’s how my heart feels knowing you are not here Just as the evening sun goes down and night covers the land No full moon, electricity gone, darkness on the land That’s how my heart is Knowing you are not here You were my light, my joy, my happiness Your smile hits away all bleakness Your presence encouraged me to press on each day Knowing pain and dimness may come my way The hugs you gave The love you’ve expressed The songs you’ve sang with every emotion expressed The kindness you’ve exhibited Oh, your laughter I will remember, knowing you’re not here Yes I’ll miss you Yes I’ll cry I’ll still call your name with a smile I’ll still look at your picture reminiscing every moment we shared Yes, the Lord knows I’ll always remember you, knowing you are not here But I have a blessed hope that one sweet day I’ll see Your beautiful face one day in eternity And we’ll sing redemption songs with the host of angels And we’ll dance to the music of the heavenly band But for now I’ll hold dear to the promise of everlasting life I won’t give up the fight I’ll hold on, I’ll keep the faith I’ll run the race, I’ll still seek for the Master’s grace I’ll do this and more, knowing you are not here Written by A Family friend: Sis Yolanda Thompson Downer
A Service of
Thanksgiving and Celebration For The Life Of
Melethia Juanita Williams “Mel”
Sunrise: October 31, 2001 - Slept: December 19, 2019
BETHEL TABERNACLE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
29 James Avenue, Ocho Rios P.O., St. Ann Jamaica, West Indies Saturday, February 1, 2020 11:00am Officiating Ministers Bishop O’Garth McKoy Pastor Marlon Williams Pastor Christopher Murray Minister Luthan Williams Organist Minister Pitts Williams Interment Walkerswood Cemetery, St. Ann
ORDER OF SERVICE Praise & Worship Opening Sentences Opening Prayer Pastor John Smith Hymn In the New Jerusalem When the toils of life are over, And we lay our armor down, And we bid farewell to earth with all its cares, We shall meet and greet our loved ones, And our Christ we then shall crown, In the new Jerusalem. Refrain There’ll be singing, there’ll be shouting When the saints come marching home, In Jerusalem, in Jerusalem, Waving palms with loud hosannas As the King shall take His throne, In the new Jerusalem. Though the way is sometimes lonely, He will hold me with His hand, Through the testings and the trials I must go. But I’ll trust and gladly follow, For sometime I’ll understand, In the new Jerusalem. Refrain When the last goodbye is spoken And the tear stains wiped away, And our eyes shall catch a glimpse of glory fair, Then with bounding hearts we’ll meet Him Who hath washed our sins away, In the new Jerusalem. Refrain When we join the ransomed army In the summer land above, And the face of our dear Savior we behold, We will sing and shout forever, And we’ll grow in perfect love, In the new Jerusalem. Refrain First Lesson 1 Thessalonians 4:13—18 Sis. Ruth Whyte (Family Friend) Tributes Learning Institutions Attended (1) Buckfield Basic School (2) Ocho Rios Primary School
Selection Breanna Boland (Cousin) Tributes Learning Institutions Attended (Continued) (3) Ocho Rios High School (4) Iona High School Tributes Sis. Elfreda Parkinson Representative from Ministerial Fraternity Selection
Dhaenia & Dhenecia Pinnock (Cousins)
1 Corinthians 15:50—58 Stacey Davidson (Family Friend) Second Lesson
Tributes (1) Sis. Lorna Walters (Overseas Representation & Family Friend) (2) Grandparents - Sis. Easey Williams & Sis. Hazel Hoilett (3) Saxophonist Vincentio (4) Bethel Tabernacle Church Family (5) Bethel Tabernacle Youth Department (6) Peculiar Praise & Triumphant Sisters Remembrance Pictorial
(1) UPC National Youth Department (2) Bro. Dave Larmond (Family Friend) (3) Restoration House Holistic Ministries (4) The Williams Family Tributes
Offering Instrumental Praise Eulogy Ms. Damaine Needham (Aunt) Choir Bethel Tabernacle Choir Message Pastor Christopher Murray Prayer for the Family
Pastor Magnus Dockery
Recessional Hymn: . . . . . . . Death Hath No Terror Death hath no terrors for the blood bought one, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! The boasted vict’ry of the grave is gone, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Refrain Jesus rose from the dead, Rose triumphant as He said, Snatched the vict’ry from the grave, Rose again our souls to save— O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Our souls die daily to the world and sin, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! By the Spirit’s power as He dwells within, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Refrain We seek a city far beyond this vale, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Where joys celestial never, never fail, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Refrain We’ll then press forward to the heav’nly land, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Nor mind the troubles met on ev’ry hand, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Refrain We’ll rise some day just as our Savior rose, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Till then shall death be but a calm repose, O glory hallelujah to the Lamb! Refrain
At The Graveside What A Mighty God We Serve What a mighty God we serve What a mighty God we serve Angels bow before Him Heaven and earth adore Him What a mighty God we serve What a mighty God we serve What a mighty God we serve Angels bow before Him Heaven and earth adore Him What a mighty God we serve I’m Gonna Walk Those Streets of Glory I’m gonna walk those streets of glory by and by I’m gonna walk those streets of glory by and by I’m gonna walk those streets of glory I’m gonna sing redemption story I’m gonna walk those streets of glory by and by. Caught Up To Meet Him Caught up to meet him, Caught up to meet him, Where joy and happiness will be mine! And we’ll meet in glory, And we’ll tell the story, Caught up to meet him in the air. In The Arms of Sweet Deliverance In the arms of sweet deliverance I’m gonna lay my heavy burdens down And with my Lord I’ll abide. When at last my traveling days are done In the land somewhere beyond the sun In the arms of sweet deliverance In the arms of sweet deliverance I shall rest by and by. Won’t it Be a Time Won’t it be a time, when we get over yonder! Won’t it be a time, when we get over yonder! Won’t it be a time, when we get over yonder! Oh Oh! Won’t it be a time!
If You Miss Me If you miss me, don’t go searching And if you don’t find me, you know where I am gone, If you don’t hear from me Don’t come knocking at my door I’ll be gone in the twinkling of an eye Some Sweet Day Some sweet day, I’m going away I’m going to leave this world No more to roam Some sweet day, When life is over Some sweet day, I’m going away. When We All Get To Heaven Sing the wondrous love of Jesus Sing his mercy and his grace In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place Refrain When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be When we all see Jesus We’ll sing and shout the victory While we walk the pilgrim pathway Clouds will overspread the sky But when travlin’ days are over Not a shadow, not a sigh Onward to the prize before us Soon his beauty we’ll behold Soon the pearly gates will open We shall tread the streets of gold
Acknowledgment
“We can no longer see you with our eyes, touch you with our hands but we will feel you in our hearts forever.” Words of thanks seem so inadequate for all of the kindness that has been bestowed upon our family. We thank you for the encouraging visits, the comforting calls, prayers, kind gestures and the sincere words of solace. We are finding strength in knowing earth has no sorrow that God cannot heal. May God bless you richly for blessing us as you came to celebrate the life of our beloved Melethia Juanita Williams. The Williams’ Family
Pall Bearers Church to Hearse Marlon Junior Williams (Cousin) Andre Williams (Cousin) Barrington Boland (Cousin) Gawayne McLeod (Friend) Chazrick Davidson (Cousin) Shackem Davis (Friend)
Hearse to the Grave Melovan Williams (Father) Christopher Bowen (Uncle) Patrick Scott (Family Friend) Jonathan Ward (Family Friend) Kingsley Williams (Uncle) Pitts Williams (Uncle)
Concept Design Sophia Smith-Williams Art Direction and Layout Gracious Grafx Studios www.GraciousGrafx.com 954-515-9016
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched, but are felt in the heart. Hope is grief’s best music. (Anonymous)
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:19-20
