Deacon Glendon McDonald (front right) leads ministers and pall bearers, as they brave showers to take the late Simmonds-Tomlinson to her final resting place. - George Henry

Locksley Tomlinson (right), son of Louise, heads pall bearers taking the casket with the remains of his mother from the Sanguinetti New Testament Church. - George Henry

Louise Reberta Simmonds-Tomlinson would have been 97 had she lived to see September 8, 2014.

Unfortunately, she never reached that milestone as she passed away on April 27. She was born on September 8, 1917 to Sarah and Horatio Simmonds at Sanguinetti in Clarendon; and was her parents' fourth child. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of her relatives, especially her eight children, grand and great-grand children.

A celebration for Simmonds-Tomlinson's life took place at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God recently, where she was sent home with glowing tributes. Those who never met the well-loved and respected dressmaker were given an idea as to the kind of community woman, wife and mother she was.

Her eldest son, Locksley Tomlinson, remembered her as a mother who taught him and his siblings righteousness, even though she was not a Christian in her younger years. He shared jokingly that she had a special love for him because he was the most handsome of her six sons.

Reverend Earl Rose in his tribute said she earned his admiration. He shared that he gravitated to the late Simmonds-Tomlinson and her family while he was a youngster and she never changed for the more than 60 years that he knew her.

"Ma Lou was a no-nonsense person who was never a part of hypocrisy. She was a very kind woman to me; she was hospitable and she treated me just like any member of her family. She lived an exemplary life. Her life touched many lives and she was an encouragement to the young people in the community," said Reverend Rose.

For grandson Garfield Wright, his grandmother was easy to talk to. He added that she was dear to him and was known for boiling water to fill her thermos because she was always offering those who visited her a cup of good Jamaican coffee.

Wright, who delivered the eulogy with another family member, said Ma Lou knew all the parts in a motor vehicle even though she could not drive. He saw her as a good mother who ensured that all her children received a good education.

While delivering the sermon, Reverend Arthur Brown, pastor at the Santa Hill Full Truth Church of God, hailed the late nonagenarian as a wonderful stalwart of a mother who did not only show love to her own children, but also to children of other parents in her community. She was laid to rest in her family plot at Sanguinetti following the service.

Feedback: pehenrya@hotmail.com