Sandra Bonair

Sandra Pamela Bonair was born on March 11, 1955, on the beautiful island of Trinidad & Tobago to the late Beryl and Irvin Bonair. Sandra was the youngest of six children: Merlin and Anthony (deceased), Ancil, Segrid, and Ingrid. Sandra spent her early childhood in Success Village, Laventille, where she attended Success RC Primary School. Although Sandra was the youngest of her siblings, she was always very outspoken, played sports with the boys, and challenged her older siblings. In 1964, Sandra migrated to the United States with her mother, Berly, and sister Ingrid.

She was raised in Brooklyn, NY, where she continued her education at Cunningham Junior High, attended James Madison High School, and was an active participant in dance and cheerleading. Sandra wanted to explore life, and during her high school years, she embraced her lifelong Rastafarian culture with several cousins and lifelong friends. Niquan (deceased), Keisha, Aunty Shanika, Njeri, Saskia (deceased), Joan, Natta, Damali, Kufunia, and many more.

During this time, Sandra adopted the name “Binta”. The name Binta suits her well, as it demonstrates her character and personality. The name Binta carries significant cultural importance, embodying values of community, family bonds, strength, and resilience. It was a name that perfectly reflected her spirit, pride, and love. Alongside her friends, she facilitated and opened a store that offered cultural supplies, a place where she was able to continue developing her cooking skills, which she learned from her mother. Binta also started a dance company called “Alkebulan Drum and Dance where she was the lead dance instructor.

At the age of 18, Binta met and married Lloyd Gorkin; they had two daughters, Takima and Onika. Although their marriage was brief, the Gorkin family embraced Binta as their own; she was never excluded from any family functions. (Till this day, you would not know which side of the family Binta belongs to). During her twenties, Sandra “Binta” accepted Christ as her lord and Savior and was baptized.

Binta was Strong-willed, free-spirited, and determined to explore any opportunity that presented itself. In 1977, Binta relocated with her two children to Jamaica to be with the love of her life, Prince Lincoln Thompson “Sax Man” (deceased). Binta and her two children were embraced by his family. Together, they raised eight children: Letia, Carl, Simone (deceased), Takima, Paula, Sophia, Onika, and Michelle. Binta did not treat any of the children differently, and to this day, they all have a strong bond. They all accepted Binta “Ma” as their bonus mother. While she lived in Jamaica, she further developed and perfected her cooking skills, which we all loved and enjoyed.

In 1983, Binta, Takima, and Onika eventually migrated back to Brooklyn, New York. She decided to further her education and attended Touro College and obtained her associate degree. In 1994, she obtained her EMT license and worked for Metropolitan Ambulance Service for several years.

In 1997, Binta relocated to Florida. Through her second marriage, she became a stepmother. After the marriage ended, Binta remained an important and supportive presence in her stepdaughter’s Sephra’s life.

Sandra “Binta” worked at Jackson Health System for twenty-one years as a Mental Health Specialist, and on September 30th, 2022, she retired. Sandra was known for her strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to her co-workers. She was an advocate! She consistently spoke up on their behalf, ensuring their concerns were heard and their needs were supported. Due to these qualities, she was elected as their union representative. She developed long-lasting relationships with co-workers, Bridgette, Debbie, Lisa, Sharmala, Natalie, Mary, as well as Dr. Carol, who became her health care proxy, just to name a few.

Binta was a pillar of love within her family and community. She was a living example of the terminology “it takes a village”, as she was the village, and her house was the safe house. She assisted with raising many family members, as well as her friends’ children. All the children enjoyed going to Aunty Binta's house, as she was the aunt who took them to their first fete. Speaking of fetes, Binta gave back to her community through the Miami Kiddies Carnival annually by providing free meals to the children.

She bragged about the accomplishments of her children, Takima and Onika. She spoke highly of two of her godchildren, Folayan and Danielle. She had a special bond and relationship with her niece, Nika, whom she considered one of her children. She was also blessed to share deep and meaningful connections with Aunty Marlene, Aunty Jenny, and Aunty Marjorie. These remarkable women were her prayer warriors, her trusted confidantes, and the safe places she could always turn to for comfort, guidance, and refuge.

After a five-month battle with her diagnosis, “Binta” transitioned on November 18, 2025, at 4:05 am, surrounded by her daughter, Takima, Onika, and her niece, Nika. Even though her transition was a difficult one, we know she heard and felt every ounce of love from her family and friends. Today, she is smiling down on us with a thankful heart.

She leaves to mourn behind her beloved daughters, Takima and Onika. Bonus Children: Sephra, Dayne, Letia, Carl, Paula, Sophia, and Michelle. Siblings: Ancil, Segrid, Ingrid, and her half-sister Gillian. Son-in-Law: Ricky Rapley. Sister in laws, Doris and Arie Bonair.

Grandchildren: Dhamir, Emmanuel, Franchesca, Earlene, Janae, Chaombine, Tanash, Christopher, Tamone, Measha, Leonardo, Malcolm-Jamal, Nathaniel, Shay-Anna, Sullanni, Rishawn, Jawara, Nala, Zephaniah, Zariah, Jessica H.

Nieces and Nephews: Marcus, Junior, Alana, Iman, Rasaan, Keisha, Sheba, Niara, Ashara, Simona, Nikkie, Tavio, Najat, Assata, Jaylen, Janai, Nala, Mason, Jobie, Jamari.

God Children: Horace, Shamequa, Amirah, Folayan, and Danielle.

Great-grandchildren: Yasmin and Maliah, and a Host of cousins, Family, and Friends. In her final days, Binta often said that she had lived a beautiful and fulfilling life, and that she was grateful for it all. May her soul find peaceful rest, and may her light continue to guide those she leaves behind.