Mary Rose Benjamin passed on May 15, at the age of 75. Mary Rose was a matriarch, loving companion, caregiver, sister, surrogate mother, cousin, godmother and a friend to many.
She is survived by her son, Omar Brown Jr.; daughter, Monee’ Parris Richards; loving companion, Joe Weekly; daughter-in-law, Ju Anna Lockhart Brown; son-in-law, Adeyemi (Ade) Richards; grandchildren: Omar Brown III, Raymond Brown, Pia Nicholson, Aliya Richards: great-granddaughter, Analia Brown; siblings: Joyce Benjamin-Correa, Irene Francis-Acosta, Genevere David, Cecilia Benjamin, Catherine "Betty" Benjamin, Christanita "Ton Ton" Bartley, Marie Watlington-Cameron, Sara Watlington-Connell, Dr. Catherine Alicia Georges-Ellis, Dr. Judith Watlington-Edwin, Goderick Benjamin Jr., Glenn "Kwabena,” James Francis, James "Bobby" Benjamin, Franklin Benjamin, Ullin Benjamin, Atty. Arturo Watlington Jr.; brothers-in-law, Aurio Correa, Wilfredo Acosta, Olman Connell, Rodney Cameron and Ronald Ellis; and sisters-in-law: Lorane and Mary Benjamin, Wilma Davis and Debra Watlington.
She is also survived by nieces: Luz Correa-Chesterfield, Ana Correa-Parson, Wilma Acosta, Erainee’ Acosta, Stephanie Henley, Chelseá Connell, Nadine Cid, Nilda Cid-Gumbs, Brenda Georges, Artra Watlington, Jessica Francis, Jame’sha Francis, Nia Miranda, Diedra and Shandis Davis; nephews: Wilfred, Burton and Winston Henley, Daniel, Miguel and Aurio Correa Jr., Jioni Francis, Jamiri Manñan Francis, Samal Ben-Israel (J. M. Francis II), Lionel Jr., Tyrone, Michael and Goderick Benjamin III, Craig Connell, Arturo III and Arsenio Watlington, Julien Edwin and Kenard Daley; nieces-in-law, Cleone "Tashema" Henley, Josephine “Josie" Henley and Betsy Correa; nephews-in-law: Ray Chesterfield Sr., Kelvin Parson, Leslie Gumbs and Vincent Phillips; aunt, Vernice Matthias; uncle, Cornelius Matthias; cousins: Austin Dalmida, Geneva Paris, Henry Powell, Faye and Leayle Robinson, Judge Ishmael Meyers, Ira Meyers, Erla Jackson, Alicia Wallace, Cyril and Catherine Benjamin, Maxine and Carl Fleming; great nieces: Raynette Chesterfield, Andrea George, Mya Acosta, Delisa and Damelia Correa, Gloria and Shamara Henley, Hasina, Ciara and Chenneé Connell, Nina Gumbs, Milagros, Gloria, Wendy and Irene Correa; and great nephews: Daniel Jr., Dario and Aqueelan Correa, Rayne and Ray Jr. Chesterfield, St. Claire "Chuco" George, Aurio Parson, Jahmard, Jahmani and Haswani Henley, Ijahka Williams, Lakeem and Akeel Henley, Craig Connell Jr., Zekoi Lynch, Eric Swann Jr.
Other survivors include great-great nieces: Kayla, Mekayl, K’deja, Elisa, K’bria, Kie’elle and Liana Correa; great-great nephews: Kahleel and K’ante Correa, and Mekhi Fleming, Josiah Farrington, Javien and Xavier George; godchildren: Nadine Cid Philips, Shane Benjamin, Steven Payne, Raynette and Rayne Chesterfield, Patrice and Kenneth Donovan and many others; close friends: Sonia Waters, Diane Benjamin, Eugene Welsh, Aurelia Donovan, Alphonse Stolard; as well as many other family members and friends too numerous to mention.
A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 23, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on St. Thomas. The celebrant will be Rev. Msgr. Jerome Feudjio. The Internment will be held at Western Cemetery No. 1.