Dana Charles, a St. Croix mother, is asking the Virgin Islands community for their support in voting her daughter Leiyani Rose Felix as the next Baby of the Year 2024.
Almost 4-month-old Leiyani, who was born prematurely, has a congenital limb deformity in which she is missing her left hand and a part of her forearm. Her mother discovered it during a routine ultrasound with her doctor.
Leiyani has amniotic band syndrome, a condition that causes the arm to not fully develop. (Submitted photo)
Charles said, “Her arm was caused by something called an amniotic band. It’s the amniotic sac that a baby is in the inner lining. It had a ripple rupture, creating a strand and those strands would stick to the baby, and it cut off circulation and prevented the arm from developing like it should as the baby grows in the tummy.” According to the Boston Children’s Hospital, website amniotic band syndrome affects about one in every 10,000 to 15,000 pregnancies.
Leiyani and her mother Dana Charles are asking the Virgin Islands community for their votes to secure a spot in the Baby of the Year 2024 competition. (Submitted photo)
Even with her disability, this does not discourage Leiyani as she brings joy to her mother’s life every day with her silly faces and cute little mean mug. “She’ll look at you with a mean mug or a side eye and you’re like, who are you side-eyeing? It’s just so silly,” Charles said while laughing. “She loves her tummy and now she’s saying her oohs and ahs,” she said.
Charles said that she first heard about the competition while scrolling through social media but did not pay attention. It wasn’t until a friend of hers reached out to Charles about the competition she decided to enter.
The grand prize winner of the competition will get to premier in “Good Housekeeping” magazine and receive a $25,000 prize that can assist with Leiyani’s medical needs.
Leiyani, who is in the quarterfinals, was leading in first and has now taken the second spot as of Saturday evening. If she successfully gets through, she will then move on to the semi-finals.
Interested voters have until Thursday to lock in their vote for the semifinals. To vote for baby Leiyani click here.
Almost 60,000 gallons of soil potentially contaminated with pesticides and dangerous metals will be removed from the once-pristine Caneel Bay Resort savaged by the 2017 hurricanes, National Park Service officials said. (Source photo by Mat Probasco)
The National Park Service plans to pull nearly 60,000 gallons of contaminated soil from the Caneel Bay Resort site that federal officials said could pose a risk to human health and the environment.
The removal of 288 cubic yards of soil marks the start of the second phase of cleanup at the once elegant hotel torn to pieces by the hurricanes of 2017, park officials said in a media release Friday. Work was scheduled to start in 2025.
The soil will be analyzed for metals, pesticides, and other contaminants by an independent laboratory with National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program certifications then barged to a permitted landfill on the mainland, according to park officials. The park service has hired an independent project manager to oversee the work.
Potentially hazardous materials will be covered when not in use to prevent contaminants spreading through dust, erosion, or runoff from rain, the park service said.
Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Beach will remain open during the second phase of work. Portions of the existing Caneel parking lots may be closed off to be used as staging areas for equipment and sealed containers of the gathered material. There may also be increased noise from the excavation. The park service said it was working to minimize the impact on visitors’ experiences at the postcard-perfect beaches.
From January to April, the park service removed roughly 58 tons of asbestos-containing debris blown around by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The dangerous debris was found near Little Hawksnest, Scott Beach, and Turtle Point. All asbestos-containing debris was disposed of at a permitted landfill in Florida in May, according to the park service.
The once premier St. John resort had been mired in a legal dispute since 2022 when the previous leaseholder, EHI Acquisitions, sued the government over ownership of the land and its improvements. The V.I. District Court ruled in April that the resort, and the 150 acres of prime beachfront land it sits on, belong to the U.S. government. The park service decided to move ahead with redevelopment even as EHI appeals the decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
The storied property was originally established by Laurance Rockefeller and Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc. as one of its “Rockresort” locations in the mid-1950s. It represented an early model of eco-tourist luxury accommodations, park officials have said.
Brigadier General Leayle Gerard Galiber at a pinning ceremony (Photo courtesy VING)
The Virgin Islands National Guard (VING) announces the passing of Brigadier General Leayle Gerard Galiber, who died on Oct. 28 at 92. Galiber’s contributions to the VING have made a lasting impact on the organization and its legacy.
Galiber served as the first Acting Adjutant General and United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the VING from July 1973 to July 1974. His leadership helped establish the foundation of the VING, according to the press release.
As a veteran, Galiber completed two tours of duty in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star Medal with an oak leaf cluster. He was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, first class, reflecting his service, the press release stated.
In recognition of his achievements, Galiber was promoted to Brigadier General on Oct. 14, 2023, during the VING’s 50th Anniversary Military Ball on St. Croix, the release stated.
As the VING mourns the loss of one of its founding figures, Galiber will be remembered not only for his military achievements but also for his unwavering commitment to the service and people of the Virgin Islands, it said.
Tributes from fellow service members and community leaders have poured in, emphasizing the impact of his service to both the military and the Virgin Islands community.
“My deepest condolences go out to the entire Galiber family,” said Maj. Gen. Kodjo S. Knox-Limbacker, the adjutant general for the Virgin Islands National Guard. “It was disheartening to hear of his passing at the remarkable age of 92. I am so thankful for his supportive family and his role in shouldering the responsibility that laid the foundation for the high-performing, ready, relevant, and responsive VI National Guard we have today.”
“Brigadier General Galiber was a pioneer and patriot whose commitment to the Virgin Islands and the United States was matched only by his extraordinary leadership and service,” said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. “His contributions to the establishment of the Virgin Islands National Guard and his distinguished military career set a foundation of excellence that continues to inspire us all. On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. His legacy will forever live on in the strength and readiness of our National Guard.”
“Brigadier General (Hon) Leayle G. Galiber brought the historical beginnings of the VING to life during our many discussions in the summer of 2023,” said Lt. Col. Dante P. Galiber, nephew, physician and former VING member. “He appreciated his promotion to Brigadier General, recognizing his military and civilian contributions to the US Virgin Islands.”
“We will continue to honor him with a legacy of a National Guard like no other that continues to exceed the standards, both locally and globally. May God bless his eternal soul and continue to be with his family in this difficult time of loss,” Knox-Limbacker expressed.
Galiber is survived by his former wife, Kirsten, a retired librarian and Spanish teacher who resides in Severn, MD; his eldest son, Leayle Jr, a software engineer who lives in Los Angeles, CA; and his second son, John, a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer and current aircraft mechanic who resides in Severn, MD. He also leaves behind numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and a brother, the release stated.
UVI Bucs Team picture after game against Team Tola. (Source photo by Mark J. Daniel
The University of the Virgin Islands Basketball Program tipped off on Thursday evening with two games at the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center. The Lady Bucs took on the United States Virgin Islands Women’s National Team, while the Bucs played host to Team Tola.
The Lady Bucs are entering the 2024-2025 season with a new leader, Head Coach Stephanie Cooper. Her leadership will be essential to the development of this program. The Lady Bucs finished near the bottom of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) in 2023-2024. Coach Cooper was on the Florida Memorial University coaching staff, which won the Sun Conference Championship in 2023.
UVI’s Katherine Martinez #24 moves the ball up the court during Lady Bucs game against USVI National Women’s Basketball Team. (Photo by Deon A. Webster of TAB Studios)
The Lady Bucs welcomed the USVI to the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center on Thursday evening for an exhibition game. The home team kept the game close through the first quarter as the USVI clung to a slim one-point lead going into the second frame. The VI national team woke up in the second and dropped 30 points in the quarter while holding the Buccaneers to just seven points. Ultimately, the USVI was simply too much for the collegiate players. The national women walked away with a 72-39 victory. The USVI women are training for the FIBA Centrobasket Women’s Championship in Irapuato, Mexico, Nov. 5-10.
UVI’s Lameez Khari #13 drives to the basket during Lady Bucs game against USVI National Women’s Basketball Team. (Photo by Deon A. Webster of TAB Studios)
The UVI Bucs welcomed Team Tola to their humble abode on Thursday evening. The Buccaneers were anything but gracious as they beat the neighbors to our east 112-69. Amayou’ah Phillips led the Bucs with 23 points in his Bucs debut. Teammates Jalil Langston and Edwin Solis contributed 16 points each. The Bucs proudly have seven players from the United States Virgin Islands on its roster. This is the handy work of the newly installed Interim Head Coach, Kevin Sheppard. A graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex, Sheppard has a wealth of basketball knowledge as he was an international professional player in numerous leagues around the world for over 10 years.
UVI’s Nasir Watson #13 plays defense during the Bucs game against Team Tola (Photo by Deon A. Webster of TAB Studios).
Two Bucs were honored as they were voted to the HBCUAC Preseason All-Conference Second Teams. The Lady Bucs is returning local standout Ashukamayah Phillips, who led the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game last season. Langston was also voted to the HBCUAC second team. Langston averaged 13.9 points per contest in the 2023-2024 season.
The Bucs next game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, when they take on the VI Elite. The Lady Bucs will not see action again until Saturday, Dec. 7, when they play Wiley University at 1 p.m. Both contests will be at the Elridge W. Blake Sports and Fitness Center.
Attorney Mat Campbell argues that the federal counts against client Richard Dangleben Jr. should be dismissed. (Shutterstock image)
The attorney for Richard Dangleben Jr., the St. Thomas man accused in the 2023 shooting death of VIPD Detective Delberth Phipps Jr., has asked the V.I. District Court to dismiss the murder charges against his client because it lacks jurisdiction over the alleged crimes.
Federal Public Defender Matthew Campbell filed the motion Thursday, a day after filing a 37-page motion for a change of venue due to intense publicity surrounding the case, as well as 12 other motions to dismiss or sever the federal charges against Dangleben.
If those federal counts are dismissed, as Campbell argues they must be, the District Court no longer has jurisdiction over the remaining counts charged as local offenses under the Virgin Islands Code, according to Friday’s motion. Those include first-degree murder; first-degree assault (two counts); third-degree assault (two counts); attempted first-degree murder; and wearing body armor during the commission of a crime.
The federal charges include use of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in death; two counts of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number; and receipt of a firearm while under indictment for a crime punishable by more than one-year imprisonment.
Separately, Dangleben also faces murder and other charges in V.I. Superior Court, for the February 2023 shooting death of Keith Jennings, hence the “receipt of a firearm while under indictment” charge in the Phipps case. Both incidents occurred in the Hospital Ground area of St. Thomas.
Dangleben has pleaded not guilty in both cases and is currently scheduled to stand trial in the Jennings case on March 25. A trial date has not been set in the Phipps case, according to publicly available records on the District Court docket.
In the motions filed Wednesday, Campbell called for the court to dismiss all the federal gun charges because they are either unconstitutional, unfairly prejudice the case, are not of a similar character as the other alleged crimes, or fail to state an offense under the United States Code because the underlying crime of violence they are based on is charged under the V.I. Code.
That would leave only the local counts for the District Court to decide, and that is beyond its jurisdiction when they are not part of a case with related federal charges, according to Friday’s motion.
“That is not to say that local charges cannot be brought in the District Court of the Virgin Islands — they can, under limited circumstances. The 1984 amendments to the Revised Organic Act ensure ‘that the District Court would retain concurrent jurisdiction over charges alleging local crimes that are related to federal crimes,’” the motion states, citing United States v. Gillette.
However, that jurisdiction does not apply in this case, it says. “As set forth in [48 U.S.C. § 1612(c)], this Court can exercise concurrent jurisdiction over local criminal offenses if the local offenses (a) are of the same or similar character as charged federal offenses, or (b) if they are based on the same transaction or are part of a common scheme or plan with charged federal offenses,” it says.
Since Dangleben has moved to dismiss federal Counts 1, 2 and 3 for failure to state an offense, and Counts 5 and 6 as unconstitutional, “they cannot serve as providing a basis for this Court’s concurrent jurisdiction over local offenses pursuant to 48 U.S.C. §1612(c),” the motion states.
Once those counts are dismissed, the only remaining federal count is Count 4 — possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime — which Dangleben has moved to sever from the remaining counts under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure because it “is not of similar character as the local offenses, nor is it part of a common scheme or plan or part of the same transactions,” the motion states.
“No federal charges in this case satisfy the requirements of 48 U.S.C. §1612(c) so as to allow the exercise of concurrent jurisdiction over local offenses arising under the Virgin Islands Code,” and therefore the local offenses must be dismissed, according to the motion.
The St. Thomas/St. John Interscholastic Athletic Association 2024 Volleyball Season came to an end on Wednesday at Antilles School’s MCM Center with the Virgin Islands Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSPGIA) and the Antilles School claiming all four division championships.
The Antilles Hurricanes varsity boys successfully defended their crown by sweeping both games in the best two out of three series against the All Saints Cathedral School Vikings. The first match of the series was played at the Digna Wheatley Gymnasium on the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School campus. The Hurricanes won that match in straight sets (25-19; 25-19; 25-9). In the second match, the Vikings came out strong, winning the first set (25-13). However, the Hurricanes came back in the second set with a (25-12) victory. The Hurricanes dominated the balance of this match, blowing through the final two sets (25-17; 25-9). Antilles School won their third consecutive St. Thomas/St. John IAA Varsity Boys Division Title.
Antilles Varsity Boys Championship Team Picture. (Submitted photo)
Three teams in the Varsity Girls’ Division fought all season for league supremacy. The defending champions VIMSPGIA, the top seed going into the playoffs, Antilles, and the always dangerous Charlotte Amalie High School Lady Hawks were all evenly matched. In the first round of the playoffs, the Volts got by the Chicken Hawks in three sets (25-12; 25-18; 25-21). The Volts only needed two matches in the finals to still the Hurricanes. In the first match of the series, VIMSPGIA won (25-19; 25-19; 25-18). The Hurricanes came to play in the second match, pushing the Volts to five sets. However, the Volts were able to strive in the midst of the storm, winning this marathon match (25-17; 11-25; 23-25; 25-11; 15-8). The VIMSPGIA varsity girls earned back-to-back league titles.
VIMSPGIA Varsity Girls Championship Team Picture. (Submitted photo)
In the only series where all three matches were necessary, it was the Lady Volts battling the Lady Hurricanes in the Junior Varsity Girls Division. The Volts came into the series with an unblemished record. The Hurricanes hoped the tide would change and they could finally beat the Volts. The Volts showed off their grit as one of their key players was out sick for the first match of this series. Down one starter, no problem, as the Volts found a way to win match one (21-25; 25-13; 15-10). The second match seemed automatic as the Volt’s missing starter was back. The Hurricanes dug deep, giving the Volts their first season loss (25-20; 20-25; 16-14). This set up a game 7-type final matchup between the two teams and they did not disappoint. VIMSPGIA won the first set pretty easily (25-18). The Hurricanes came roaring back, taking a 24-18 lead, just one point away from forcing a third and deciding set. But, the league’s best player walked into the serving box and brought the Volts all the way back, tying the score at 24 before she was done. The two teams went back and forth and neither wanted to give in. In the end, the Volts outlasted the Hurricanes. VIMSPGIA won the set (32-30). The Volts are the IAA Volleyball Junior Varsity Girls Champions.
VIMSPGIA Junior Varsity Girls Championship Team Picture. (Submitted photo)
Antilles School took on Sts. Peter & Paul School in the Middle School Girls Division. Antilles Blue Team was the third seed, and Sts. Peter & Paul was the fourth seed going into the playoffs. The Hurricanes upset Julius Sprauve School, while the Jaguars took down the undefeated Gifft Hill School. Antilles Blue won both games of this series. The score for the first match was (25-14; 25-22). The second match was (25-15; 25-18). Antilles Blue won the Middle School Girls Division.
Antilles School Blue Middle School Girls Championship Team Picture. (Submitted photo)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented federal disaster assistance Friday for the U.S. Virgin Islands, sending federal aid to supplement local recovery after Tropical Storm Ernesto in mid-August.
President Biden issued a major disaster declaration in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
HUD said Friday it would immediately start providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. There is also a 90-day extension granted automatically for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date.
Homeowners affected by the disaster should contact their mortgage or loan servicer immediately for assistance. Conventional mortgage holders may also be eligible for additional relief through their mortgage holder.
HUD suggested calling the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 for additional information.
More information about disaster relief options for FHA homeowners can be found at the FHA Disaster Relief site.
HUD would also making mortgage insurance available. When homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that required reconstruction or complete replacement, HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims. Borrowers from participating FHA approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing including closing costs.
HUD would also start making financing available for both mortgage and home rehabilitation. HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, along with its repair, through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance the rehabilitation of their existing homes if damaged.
Additionally, HUD would start sharing information on housing providers and HUD programs. Information will be shared with FEMA and the State on housing providers that may have available units in the impacted counties, including Public Housing Agencies and Multi-Family owners. The Department will also connect FEMA and the State to subject matter experts to provide information on HUD programs and providers.
HUD will provide flexibility to Community Planning and Development Grantees - Recipients of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) Program, Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, HOME Investment Partnership Program, and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Program funds can apply for needed administrative flexibility in response to Presidentially Declared Major Disasters for the U.S. Virgin Island (DR-4841-VI). For more information on applying for a waiver or suspension of program requirements, contact your local Community Planning and Development Program Office here.
Additional services include providing flexibility to Public Housing Agencies - Public Housing Agencies can apply for needed waivers and flexibilities for disaster relief and recovery. For detailed information on applying for a waiver, click here for the latest Federal Register Disaster Relief Notice guidance. The Department also released PIH Notice 2021-34, which advises the public of HUD’s expedited process for waivers and flexibilities from HUD regulatory and administrative requirements for various Public Housing and Voucher Programs. As a reminder, to be eligible to receive a disaster waiver, the PHA must be located in an active Presidentially declared Major Disaster Declaration area and submitted within four months of an MDD.
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies have counselors available to assist those impacted by natural disasters to determine assistance needs and available resources. Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency online or use our telephone look-up tool by calling (800) 569-4287. Telephone look-up includes access to information in more than 200 different languages. You do not have to have an FHA-insured mortgage to meet with a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. There is never a fee for foreclosure prevention counseling.
Housing discrimination sometimes occurs when people attempt to find and access housing following a disaster. HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity is available to assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. If you think your rights have been violated, you should file a fair housing complaint with HUD. You can file a complaint by calling HUD at 1-800-669-9777 or visiting How to File a Complaint on HUD’s website. Materials and assistance are available for persons with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the Department using the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339. You should file a complaint with HUD as soon as possible. HUD may not help you if your complaint is filed more than one year after the last discriminatory act. You may also be able to file a complaint with a state or local fair housing agency. A list of the state and local fair housing agencies funded by HUD is available on HUD’s website here.
Relatives and friends are advised of the recent passing of
Kadyrah Dashana Payne-Calderon
Kadyrah Dashana Payne-Calderon, fondly known as “DeeDee,” in Orlando, Fla. on Oct. 11.
Kadyrah was a professional photographer of children and adults, and se opened Dream Creative Studios officially in August 2020 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Most importantly, she was a loving mother to her children, Shawn and Kaleah, and her dog Kush.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Krystelle Phillips-Barney; grandmothers: Joan Phillips and Alicesen Ramos; and grandfathers: Julien Phillips Sr., Leroy Payne and Efrain Ramos.
She is survived by her children: Shawn Martin and Kaleah Dessables; husband, Geovanny Calderon and stepkids; father, Richard Payne; stepmother, Erin Payne; stepfather, Charles Barney; sisters: Joy Payne, Eden Payne and Erika Serrano; brother, Rylan Payne; and uncles: Jason Dorsett, Julien Phillips Jr., Kyle Phillips, Kellen Phillips, and Jason, Darryl, Kevin and Kenny Figueroa.
She is also survived by great-aunts: Radiant Burner and Leona Learperl; aunts: Janice Phillips, Knielle Phillips-Thomas, Taetia Phillips-Dorsett, Shanee Mizell, Aisha Payne, Diafra Payne-Roach and Reeshemah Payne-Todman; cousins: Shanee Mizell, K-Jani Woolcock, Knea Thomas, K’nesha Thomas, Samaury Thomas, Jalen Dorsett, Thalia Dorsett, Jaylen Phillips, Caden Phillips and Franique Ryan; and special cousins: Andre Burner, Donna Henderson, Shamar Deas and Ciera Hicks.
Other survivors include godmothers: Sheimein Paul, Arleen Chandler, Claudette Joseph-Lattin, Serita Larcheveaux and Denise Christian; special friends: Sharifa Hughes, Jamisha Stuard and Yanique Sonny; aunts of the heart: Janier Larcheveaux, Tiffany Fabian-Schmidt, Allison “Jackie” Smith, Bronica Henderson-Creque, Dana Sooknanan and Estefany Minor; the Burner, Phillips and Payne families; and many other friends and family too numerous to mention.
The first viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m., at Turnbull’s Funeral Home on St. Thomas, USVI, on Thursday, Nov. 14.
The second viewing will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation on Friday, Nov. 15, beginning at 9 a.m. with church service starting at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Eastern Cemetery in Smith Bay. There will be a repast immediately following at Magens Bay Beach Shed No. 3.
Professional funeral services are entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home.
Cecil R. Scatliffe
Cecil Rudolph Scatliffe of Inter Gade in Savan has died. Affectionately known to his family and friends as “Sonny,” Sonny T” or “Tasha,” he died on Oct. 13
He is survived by his mother, Eltira Scatliffe; ex-wife, Tamika Phillipus; sisters: Lucinda Colbourne and Linda Allen; children: Abigail Alexander, Tasheem Scatliffe, Shaun Scatliffe, Cyele Scatliffe and Tash Miia Scatliffe; stepchildren: Latrice Phillipus, Jahfarrie Gordon and Janiah Young; grandchildren: Sejoniq Johnson, Romai Turnbull Scatliffe, T’miia Benjamin, T’miiya Scatliffe, J’moii Scatliffe and Kia Scatliffe Sanchez.
He is also survived by a niece, Jahlishma Armstrong; nephews: Javern Allen and Jamal Allen; aunts: Blandina Smith Vonet Scatliffe and Linette Scatliffe; uncles: Norris Lettsome, Dennery Lettsome, Noel Scatliffe, Rudy Scatliffe and Lionel Scatliffe; special cousins: Decanier Daniel, Georgette Smith and Tricia Smith; and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. at Blyden Memorial Chapel. Interment will be private.
While we appreciate the kind gesture of flowers, please note that no flowers are necessary
Arrangements are entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.
Ira A. Williams Sr.
We are deeply saddened to announce that Ira A. Williams Sr., also known as (Rahim), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the age of 77.
The viewing will be held on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, at Turnbull’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 22, in the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul. Interment will be in Eastern Cemetery in Smith Bay.
He lived with his wife at Sugar Estate, Eight Street for over 50 years. Ira was the fourth son of Cecil Williams and Edith John, who were both born in Estate Annaly on the big island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. After World War II, his parents relocated to St. Thomas where Ira was born on Nov. 26, 1946. He spent his formative years growing up at the Lockhart Lumber Yard (Bay Side) until the family relocated to the Sugar Estate area where he would spend the rest of his life. He worked briefly for the Department of Education but spent most of his career at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority as a lineman for twenty years; retiring in 2000.
Ira was an avid lover of horse racing. The passion for horseracing led him to travel to live events of the Breeder’s Cup, the Belmont and the Kentucky Derby for many years with his brothers and nephews. He loved watching sports and participated in various man leagues on the island. The Atlanta Braves was his favorite team. He enjoyed farming, reading and rearing livestock and did this in his golden years. He also had a love for the water and would frequent Brewers Bay most mornings to exercise and take a dip.
Ira had an unassuming personality, was quiet, yet fierce, appreciative of hard work and understood the dynamics of family. He gravitated to the simple things in life and will be greatly missed by all.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Williams; mother, Edith John Williams; brother, Burnette Williams; sister, Ruby Williams Jones; and niece, Maureen Williams.
He leaves to mourn his loss his loving wife of 55 years, Veronica Pedro Williams; son, Ira Williams Jr.; daughter, Willette Williams; stepson, Jacoda Williams; grandchildren: Wyomma V. Williams and Maliya Williams; great-grandchild, Shauntay D. Williams; brothers: Vincent Doward Sr. (St. Croix), Roland Williams, (North Carolina), Glen (Agin) Williams (Maryland) and Clement “Bayie” Williams; sisters: Clemencia (Candy) White and Janet Alvarez; sisters-in-law: Shirley Williams, Janet Pedro and Charmaine Doward; brothers-in-law: John Thomas and Kenneth Pedro; and aunt-in-law Patricia Williams.
He is also mourned by nephews: Vincent “Tito” Doward Jr., Clement “Boopie” Doward, O’Neal Doward, Alexis Doward, Celestino “Tony” White Jr., Clement “Irie” White, Brent Gumbs, Vernon Jones Jr., Avondre B. Alvarez and Tafari Oliviere; nieces: Verna-Mae Doward, Colette White-Amaro, Aiesha Doward, Rochelle Williams, Cynthia Doward, Shaniqua Williams, Tameika M. Clark and Alayshia S. Alvarez.
Also left to mourn are cousins: Victor Hendricks, June Grimes, Cecilia Phoenix, Cardell Lais, Vernell Cruz, Lorna Story, Richard John, Iola Holmes, Meric Hendricks, Victor John III, Alissa John, Cynthia John-Laurencin, Charlene Hendersen, Chris Richards, Joyce Solomon, Andrew John, Theresa Phoenix, Barbara John-Foster, Kenneth John, Norman John, Gladys John, Dominic Cruz, Tiffany Birdsail, Malik Wylie, Rosietta Holmes, Ann Marie Blackwood-Hicks and Viola Holmes.
Other mouners include special friends and family: Celestino A. White Sr., Aubrey Harrigan, Buckey Brown, Beverley Monsanto, Doreen Williams, Andres Amaro, the McBean, Wattley, White, Hodge, Brow, Classen and Callwood families, the Brewers Bay early morning swimmers; and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Arrangements are entrusted to Turnbull’s Funeral Home & Crematory Services.
