Maryse Emma ( Royer) Douglas

March 26, 1954 - April, 5, 2016 Maryse Emma (Royer) Douglas, 62, was born in Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe to Theresa Veronica Royer. She moved to Ville Case, Dominica with mother and 2 siblings and after her mother got married they relocated to Atkinson at the age of 7 with mom and new Stepdad Patrick Laville. There she lived with until she was about 18 and then she moved to the city to live with her aunt. At such a tender age she was very independent and was driven to provide for herself so she worked and also joined the Dominica Defense Force, when moved to the city of Roseau, Dominica. She became a mom shortly after in 1974 when she had a daughter Janice Gallion at age 20. However, as new young single mom it was very challenging to work and care for her new baby so she made one of the most self sacrificing decisions to allow her mom to raise her daughter and she vowed to provide for them both while she moved back to the island of Guadeloupe where was born. Immediately upon arrival she became employed and kept her commitment to provide for her mom and daughter. In 1982 she had her second daughter Sabine Bijlall. In 1989 she was introduced to her future husband Cecil Douglas and she relocated to St Thomas USVI to begin their life together. Her plan was to reunite her entire family after marriage but that idea seemed fleeting. In 1992 they had their baby boy Steven Douglas. However, all the plans for her new family came to an abrupt halt when her husband succumbed to colon cancer when her son was just 3 years of age. She was forced into the position to being the sole provider for her three children but as the dedicated and hardworking woman she was she was not deterred by the challenges ahead of her. She woke up daily at 5:00 am and faced the world and all its challenges head on. She never complained and she enjoyed her long days and nights operating a grocery retail shop, Douglas Merchandising. She loved her French culture and she would play her French music all day while at work. She would break out in song and dance when some of her favorite songs from the Kassav band played on the radio. She was a huge soccer (football) fan and ofcourse she supported the France team during FIFA world cup. She would enjoy surprise visits from her beloved sister Muta Matthew every summer. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 23. Her favorite religious song was “Jesus loves me this I Know for the bible tells me so”. Her proudest memories were: when her first daughter graduated with her Bachelors and Masters degrees and delivered her 1lb grand-daughter Jayline; when her son graduated High School; and when her second daughter made her a grandma for the first time with her 1lb grandson Randy. In 2016 she moved to Alabama to be with her children. In her last days she was very happy that she got to spend time with her children and grandchildren. She also was ecstatic to give her life to God and allow him to take control of her future. Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. She had a very close bond with her sister Muta. She loved her family, friends, music, culture, and will be missed by all who loved her. She is survived by her children: Janice Royer-Michel of Huntsville AL, Steven Royer Douglas of Huntsville, AL and Sabine Nicole Bijlall of Guadeloupe; grandchildren, Jolyn Michel, Jayden Michel, Jayline Michel, Randy Bijlall, Jerverny Bijlall, Daren Bijlall and Destine Bijlall Stanley; sisters, Jeanette Dublin of Guadeloupe, Muta Laville Matthew of Atkinson, Dominica and Patricia Laville Corbette of Queens, NY; brothers, Joseph Royer of Guadeloupe, Patrickson Laville of Waco, Texas; mother, Theresa Veronica (Royer) Laville (deceased); stepfather, Patrick Laville (deceased); spouse, Cecil Douglas (deceased); stepchildren, Keith Douglas of St Thomas, USVI; Geofrey Douglas of St Thomas USVI; Brian Douglas of Miami, FL, Cyprian Douglas of Dominica and Shermaine Douglas of Texas; neices, Nicaise Eloi, Dian Corbette, Tricia Corbette and Siraya Timothy; nephews, Alan Timothy, Justin Matthew, Lindon Augustine and Rodrigue Dublin; grand-nephews and grand-neices, Arkelle, Markez and Markis Timothy, Kalian and Janel Dublin, Lorena and Loreane Augustine; son- in- law, Ronald Michel; brothers- in- law, Vernon Matthew of Tortola, BVI, Raphael Corbette of New York, Darius Dublin of Guadeloupe; aunts, Hannah Royer of Antigua, Dorie Leblanc of St Croix; uncles, Richard Royer of Ville Case, Dominica, Cyrus Royer of Ville Case, Dominica, Vincent Royer of England, Reynold Royer of Barbados and Jones Royer of Florida; cousins, Leroy James and Esterlita Audain; very friend, Joyce Dupigny of Sweden, Joyce and Randolph Dupuis of Dominica, Leo Leslie of Dominica, Eustace Gallion of England, Norbert Sabin Bijlall of Guadeloupe; very dear friends in St Thomas USVI, Aye, Francis Blanc, Julie, Brent,Giant, Jerome, and Luciana. Services: Moseley Complex Chapel at Oakwood University Campus- 7000 Adventist Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35896- Sunday, April 10, 2016 at 11:00a.m., with Pastor Bertram Wright officiating. Interment: Oakwood Memorial Gardens Special Thanks to: Doctors and Nurses at Schneider Hospital in St. Thomas Nurse Michelle, and Aide Betty; Members of Metropolitan 7th Day Worship Center; Members of Agape Haitian American SDA Church and Pastor and Mrs. Wright, Pastor Wesley Valmir, Elder Walker, The Nixon, Rachuonyo, Beaubrun, Univers and Nerelus families for all the help, cards, prayers, meals, and support .