Delores Lavida Rieara Obituary (1958 - 2017)

On February 3, 1958 on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, the late Otis Rieara and Leontina Callwood admired the birth of their treasure of life, and named her Delores Lavida Rieara. Always full of joy and eager to help out, no matter what the problem was. She was a vibrant soul, one who lit up the room whenever she entered. With a positive upbringing and exciting childhood, Delores attended Washington Elementary, then the former Wayne Aspinal and obtained her high school diploma from Charlotte Amalie High School. While completing her high school education she came across a wonderful young man, who became her soul mate; her life partner. They were blessed with fourteen delightful children. To he` r, life felt like a kingdom filled with her as the Queen overlooking her nine princesses and five princes of whom became parents of their own. With love, wisdom and understanding she bestow her blessings onto her kids which became her rock, fortress and lifelong platform. She then bequeathed unconditional love to her grandchildren. Delores was brought up with traditional values and learnt the skills that a woman of her era should sewing, knitting and as well as her passion for cooking. Overall, she was a zealous and enthusiastic worker. During her life, she worked at Roy L Schneider Hospital in the X-Ray Unit and assisted in multiple other departments where she learned many skills at hand. Delores attended Blackshear School of Architecture and Vocational training and board testing where she obtained her certificate and became a Certified Nursing Assistant. She also received a certificate in Cosmetology. All knew her as a "Jackie" of all trades. Like her mother she acquired healing hands that she enjoyed and participated in many sport activities, softball with teams "Who Next" and "Don Que Ts" basketball with friends. There is nothing she couldn't do. She indulged and perfected many passions that included cooking, baking, sewing, drawing, nurturing and giving the most wholehearted humble affection and advice to anyone in need. Many loved her due to her "rare heart of gold". As you know so well, the passage of time never really heals the tragic memory of such a great loss, but we carry on, because we have to, because our Delores would want us to, and because there is still light to guide us in the world from the love she gave us. Blessing Ome, May she rest in eternal peace. She is survived by her husband, Edmund A. Ross; sons, Bambula, Yasim, Jaheed, Deyambi, and Khamari; daughters, Ayana, Takiyah, Soyini, Safiya, Zakenya, Kalima, Quaniya, Delores, and Kaiyana Ross; twenty-six grandchildren; brothers, Alphonso, Antonio, Alberto, Otis, Jr, Austin, and Elroy; sisters, Karen McQueen, Delta Matthews and Cleone Rieara; sisters in law, Diane Rieara and Diane Henderson; brothers in law, Burton Henley, Dennis Matthews, and Mike Ross; son in laws, Tyrone Rogers, Eyon Wilson, Dwight Hendrickson and Joseph Stewart; daughter in law, Nureaka Ross; nephews, Wakamba Rieara, Kwasi Oscar, Yamasi Rieara, Haswani, Jamard and Jimany Henley, Kahleem Rieara, Jahleemo Rieara, Kaheli Willet, Askiban Innis, Abdul Williams, Ijahka Williams, Michael Rieara, Philip Brown, Richard Brown, Anthony Rieara, Alton Harper, Allen Nance, Kevin Ackwood, and Kenneth Ackwood; nieces, Pamela Brown-Ayers, Arshima Rieara, Lily Addo, Tanisha Rieara, Tamia Rieara, Jessica Turnbull, Nneka Peterson-Wheatley, Teejah Daley, Princess Innis, Diantha Matthews, Shanifa Rieara, Shanikah Rieara, Khaliah Rieara, Takera Rieara, Aleena Rieara, Sheryll Ronan, Jahlema, Rieara, and Kijah Todman; special friends, Marilyn Bambi George, Jamila Petersen, Valerie Johnson, Denise "Suny" Frazer, Gina Belle, Oraine Willet, Lena, and Edotcia Thomas; and a host of great nieces, nephews, in-laws, and additional special friends too numerous to mention. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Anslemo and Elton Rieara.