Veda M. Lloyd

'I will lend you for a little time, a child of mine God said, For you to love when she is alive, and grieve for when she is gone. She may be two or seven years, of 62 or three, But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me? She'll bring her joy to gladden you and should her stay be brief, You will have her lovely memories as solace for your grief'. Veda Maud Williams, otherwise known as 'shorty' by her family, was born on October 15, 1938 to parents Isabel and Rafael Williams in Paisley, St. James, Jamaica. She was one of seven siblings. She met and married Roy Lloyd on November 16, 1958. The marriage produced 5 children Marilyn, Phillip, Walter, Henry, and Keith. She migrated to Mt. Vernon, New York in the late 1970's. Subsequently her family followed in the early 1980's. She was a hard-working, passionate figure of strength who never waned in her support or love for her family, and who soldiered on, even when times were difficult. She was a prime example of the qualities of duty, decency, reliability, dignity, and respect. After retiring she moved to Florida in 2005. She enjoyed cooking, a very neat person, everything in its place. You dare not leave a dirty glass or spoon in the sink. She was straightforward and demanded little from those around her, and expected only the best for her children. She was also a very patient person, with an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, experience and measured wisdom. Family was of utmost importance to her, always willing to support everyone. She was full of joy and always eager to help no matter what the situation was. One of her favorite quote was 'No God, No Peace'. She was a God-fearing, strong woman of God. She was always praying for her children and extended family. She believed that no matter the situation we are faced with, if we put God first we will overcome. She was a vibrant soul and in 2015 when she became less able to get around she relocated to Georgia. She was so selfless, when you called her and said I love you at the end of the conversation, she would respond 'love you more'. Her health deteriorated and she went home to be with the Lord on January 31, 2017. Her death has left a void in our lives that will never be filled and as we think of the absolute finality of death and realize that we can no longer speak to her, we rue the missed opportunities, the conversations we could have had with her but never did. She may have departed this life, but her spirit still lives on and it lives on in all of us. Shaquille reflects on his fondest memory of his grandmother stating, 'When I call my Granddad, no longer will he be able to say, Let me put you onto shorty'. As a family, we are at the acceptance stage and as we mourn this remarkable woman's death, we must remember, she is in a better place. Although we have lost a woman of incredible qualities let us remember togetherness is absolutely needed, and through that we should revere the priceless moments we all enjoyed with her. We should take comfort in God's promises. 'Miss me, but let me go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free. Miss me a little-but not too long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared Miss me-but let me go For this journey that we must all take, and each must go alone It's all a part of the Masters plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely, and sick of heart, go to the friend's we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds Miss me, but let me go' She is survived by her husband Roy Lloyd, 5 children, 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends. Let us bid farewell to a dignified soul. A soul that brought joy and fulfillment to many, and whose legacy will live on forever. Death, a road we all must ultimately take, has not won. We will meet again! May her soul rest in peace and perpetual light shine upon her.

Veda M. Lloyd

October 15, 1938 - January 31, 2017