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Joyce Letitia Richmond-Solomon (A servant of God and a friend to man)

Every life has its seasons and God has created each individual for a purpose. Blessed and happy are those who discover their purpose and live a life that fulfills their God-appointed purpose. Joyce was such a person as evidenced by the testimonies of the many lives she touched.

A time to be born
Joyce aka Letitia was born on June 14, 1935 to the late Gershon Hanover and Sylverine Toney. Her early years were spent in Ann’s Grove with her siblings Escil, Samuel aka Humil, Melicia aka Mignon, Swetnam, Vernon, and Miriam.

A time to learn 
Her formal education was received at the Ann’s Grove Roman Catholic school. According to her childhood friend, Flora Dublin, she was a brilliant student and excelled in her studies. At the conclusion of her elementary education, she received her College of Preceptors and school leaving certificates. She would have loved to pursue higher education and become a certified teacher, but her socioeconomic situation did not afford her this opportunity.

A time to love   
Joyce was married to the late David Uriah Richmond and later to the late Alfred Solomon. She invested her life in raising her children, the late Anesta, Ruth, Alvilda, David, Dawn, Donna, Claire, Joseph and William.

Her loving and caring extended beyond familial boundaries and embraced  strangers, neighbors, church members, and friends. Wherever she went people were attracted to her loving and winsome personality. Those who knew her say she was authentic, outspoken, humorous, kind, loving, friendly, humble, generous and intellectually sharp.

A time to live    
Even though she did not work outside the home while her children were young, Joyce was very industrious and raised fowls and other livestock and planted a garden to supplement the income of her husband. She was also a seamstress and was skillful with her hands, knitting various items to beautify her humble home and adorn her children.

She was also very active in the Community Services Department, of the Seventh-day Adventist church of which she was a member for most of her adult life. Her spiritual gifts equipped her to serve with distinction in this aspect of the ministry of the church to the community at large and to needy members of congregation.

Music and poetry were an important part of her life. Morning and evening worship were part of the daily routine in her home. Her children were taught to memorize the scriptures and learn and sing the hymns of the Christian faith. 

Joyce was a gifted writer. She wrote skits, poems and lyrics for songs and composed the music for the songs.

She was a strict disciplinarian and lived the instruction given in Proverbs 13:14 “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”

Joyce lived in the United States of America with her son David and his wife from June 5, 2003 to February 4, 2008 when she returned home to attend the funeral of her brother. While living in Pennsylvania, she developed a close friendship with Ray and Faye Palumbo and Faye’s mother.

While walking one day in March 2009 she had a mild stroke and fell by the side of the road. Her children were alerted by a Good Samaritan and she was taken to the hospital. She never fully recovered and was confined to her bed from that point until the time of her death. 

Though bedridden she was not sad or depressed. She stayed involved with her family and friends who would call on the phone or visit. Birthday celebrations became an important feature in the later stages of her life. She loved to have her children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, other family members and friends around her on such occasions.

A time to die     
On 26, 20017, the breath of life exited Joyce’s body and returned to God who gave it, and her sojourn on earth ended at the age of eighty- two years, four months and twelve days. 

She is survived by her siblings Escil Pellew of Wismar and Melicia Toney,  sisters-in-law Patsy David, and Sheila Hanover, daughters-in law Roxanne Richmond, Leonette George-Richmond, and Collette Richmond, a large number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters in Christ and friends. 

Her life continues vicariously in the lives of her children her 35 grandchildren, 39 greatgrandchildren and two great, great, grandchildren.
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