Mourners in US bid farewell to Jessie Ripoll principal, his wife

O’Neil Stevens, the late principal of Jessie Ripoll Primary School, and his wife, Camesha Lindsay-Stevens, were hailed yesterday as two of Jamaica’s “brightest lights”, lost to a tragic car accident just days into the new year.

Paying tribute on behalf of himself and the Jamaican Government, the island’s consul general to Miami, Oliver Mair, joined mourners during a memorial service held at the McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in the United States yesterday.

“Jamaica has lost two of its brightest lights,” Mair told those gathered at the memorial service, adding that all of Jamaica was mourning their deaths.

“As we grieve, let use look to God for His guidance. This is a moment to pause and reflect and give thanks for the time they spent with us,” he said, noting that while there were no right words of comfort for family and friends, the outpouring of love spoke to the character of both people.

Stevens, 47, and Lindsay-Stevens, 38, were killed in the car accident that occurred in Myrtle Beach on January 3.

During yesterday’s memorial service, family members remembered Stevens as a very loving, kind, giving, and ambitious person.

“He was a leader, a role model, a beacon to those with whom he interacted,” said Khadian Henry in describing his cousin.

Henry said his cousin was an individual who listened to his staff, parents, and others.

“O’Neil will be missed, but he will not be forgotten,” he added.

Henry said Stevens was one of four children born to his parents. He was educated at Holy Family Primary School and later at Kingston College and Mico College.

According to Henry, he spoke with his cousin two weeks before his death.

“While I was his cousin, he always treated me more like a brother,” said Henry.

In the meantime, Lindsay-Stevens, a banker, was described as a true embodiment of grace, light, and as an individual who radiated charm wherever she went.

Mentoring, uplifting others

The tribute to Lindsay-Stevens, written by her mother, Veron Roper-Brown, and a cousin, was read by Brian Brown, her mother’s cousin.

In the tribute, she was described as deeply committed to mentoring and uplifting others.

“Her memorable labour of love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her,” he said.

Yesterday’s service was attended by family members and friends who will be unable to attend their funeral in Jamaica, which has been set for February 8 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

The accident that claimed the couple’s lives occurred while they were on their way to the airport to travel back to Jamaica after spending the Christmas holidays with Lindsay-Stevens’ mother in Myrtle Beach.

Stevens, his wife, their two daughters, his mother-in-law, and a cousin were traveling to the airport when the car being driven by the cousin developed a flat tyre, and they pulled over to the side of the road.

Stevens, his wife, mother-in-law, and the cousin all got out the vehicle to change the flat tyre. While outside of the car, they saw a van driving at a high speed, and both Stevens and his wife began running to the embankment but were struck by the vehicle.

Stevens died on the spot while his wife died on arrival at an urgent-care centre.

The children, the mother-in-law, and the driver of the car in which they were traveling were not injured.

editorial@gleanerjm.com