Sheyla Similien

Communities around the Kansas City Metropolitan Area in Missouri, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and specially three families, the Similien’s family, the Metellus’ family, and the Mercier’s family are deeply saddened by the fatal accident that snatched the lives of so many at once on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Joel Similien ( born Sep 8, 1968 ), his wife, Sheyla Similien, known by her maiden name Sheyla Mercier (born June 21, 1970), and Michelet Metellus (born June 12, 1972), and seven other passengers have left from Triumph Foods, in St. Joseph, MO. As they were heading back home, quietly driving that night, after their long hours of hard work and sweat, going southbound, the angel of death, driving a 2017 Ford Edge, traveling northbound in the southbound lanes has collided head-on with their vehicle, a 2007 Honda Odyssey. Among the seven severely injured, three of our family members, Joel Similien, Sheyla Similien, and Michelet Metellus were killed in the crash.

Sheyla left Haiti in 2014. Since she had been here in the US she was known to be a very dedicated, hard-working, tough and independent woman. Although she did not personally share her vision with me, I know she had one considering her level of discipline, the dedication applied to her work. She was a business-oriented mind, and she had a unique sense of smelling opportunities. But her uniqueness is that she sees the opportunity and she quickly acts upon it.

While working at St Joseph, she met her future husband Joel Similien, a fine man whom I highly praise for many reasons and especially because he has a good heart and a deep love for his families, both Sheyla’s and his own.

Sheyla has completed her high school degree in Haiti. She went to a vocational school (Centre pilote) where she has completed a degree in computer, and was a student working on a degree at the State University of Haiti, Faculty of Science.

Sheyla enjoys cooking and beyond that, she enjoys sharing her cooking. I usually state she took it after our mom who used to do the exact same things: cooking and enjoying to have people over with whom she shared her delicious dishes. Both Sheyla and Joel love to go church and became permanent members of the ….under the leadership of Reverend Olain Francois.

Sheyla did enjoy life and was certainly not ready to depart in such tragic and dramatic fashion. She was full of energy and was hoping for what life could offer the best. But as we all will get it whoever says life, reversely says death and both remain mysteries. We come, we live when allowed, and we must go when our time is up. Sheyla, Joel, and Michelet’s time was up although too quickly.

Sheyla Similien (maiden name Sheyla Mercier) survived by her only daughter Valerie Point-du-Jour, her father Jean-Joseph Mercier, her siblings Frantz Germain, Nicole Alexis, Jean-Benito Mercier, Judith Mercier, Hugues Mercier, Nadège Mercier, Natacha Mercier, Came-Suze Mercier, Angeline Mercier, her cousins Julie Mercier, Vladimir Mercier, her nieces and nephews including her extended families. Sheyla Similien was preceded in death by her mother Eva Metellus.

The family of Sheyla, the family of Michelet, and the family of Joel would like to express their profound appreciation to the communities at large, each friend and family who took the time to visit us and morally support us in this difficult and tragic moment. Our thanks go to those who have expressed their condolences to our families. May the divine architect of the universe protect and bless you all.

A visitation will begin at 9:00 AM Saturday, July 27th, with funeral service at 10:00 AM, at the Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd, Prairie Village KS. Burial will follow services in White Chapel Cemetery.

Family accepting donations to assist with funeral expenses.