As Calystra Daniel and her sister Sandra La Barrie were together as full time ministers or “pioneers” in the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, so too were they together in the end holding each other’s hands.
This was said by Brother Lemuel Smith, of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith, in his eulogy at the funeral service yesterday for La Barrie, 64, and Daniel, 53. The service was held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, La Horquetta, Arima. The siblings were killed in an accident on Monday night in Wallerfield.
Smith said: “They were very courageous girls, they truly had faith in Jehovah. I don’t know, perhaps realizing what was going to happen, they died holding hands.
“Maybe they just gave themselves back to Jehovah as they’ve always been doing. That was not unusual, that was their lifestyle and that is how they came through very much together.
“It does send home a powerful message in our trust, faith and reliance on a true and living God.”
Smith said even in death Jehovah put his hand in and it was not only a day of mourning but also a day of comfort.
Quoting from the Bible, John Chapter 5 Verses 28-29 about Jesus Christ resurrecting the dead, he gave the analogy of a dead computer to a human body as just being the shell and the person as a memory card which God will reinsert into a new body and the promise of everlasting life.
Daniel’s daughter, Shakila said her mother’s love for Jehovah was foremost and she also appreciated her sentimentality. She said her mother would notice the small things and it was that quality that really helped her be such an extraordinary pioneer, very effective legal clerk and very good wedding planner.
Daniel’s cousin, Andrea Walker said she was truly impressed by her warmth and ready smile which would immediately draw people to her and feel comfortable in her presence.
She said this contributed a lot to her success in the ministry, she was a deeply spiritual woman and passionately loved Jehovah.
After the service, Daniel and La Barrie were taken to Belgroves Funeral Home for cremation at Tacarigua.