Eunice Leonie Chong You

Eunice Leonie Lue Chong-You, also called Miss Lue, Ma, Grandma, and GG, was born on September 6, 1929 in Dias, in the Parish of Hanover, Jamaica to Thompson Lue and Etta Lois Smith. She attended Cacoon Primary School where she excelled in all areas of her studies. She recalled consistently being at the top of her class.

Being raised by a single mother, she was showered with love and affection. Her early years cultivated a strong bond between mother and daughter. However, Eunice longed to have siblings to play with and love. Instead, she was given a baby chick, who she named “Pet.” She spent hours playing with Pet and mended the chick’s wounds when it was injured by the bigger chickens. At that young age, she was inspired to become a nurse.

When Eunice was 10-years-old, her mother’s marriage changed their relationship, but she was overjoyed by the birth of each of her 4 siblings. Unfortunately, 3 siblings, 2 brothers and a sister, died in infancy. This early experience with such deep grief had a profound impact on her for the rest of her life.

In part to help her navigate these difficult changes in her life, she went to live with her mother’s sister, Naomi Forrester, and her husband, Mortimer, whom she affectionately referred to as “Mimi” and “Dada.” Her aunt and uncle were very loving to her and although she missed her mother, she felt she was well taken care of. Some of her most beloved memories from her childhood reflect the attention she received from Mimi, Dada and cousin Ivy.

Her mother was a devout Seventh-day Adventist who always encouraged her to share her faith. At age 12, Eunice officially decided to accept the Adventist faith as her own. She would reflect fondly upon that decision as one of the most important of her life. She always said the joy she found in her faith was unparalleled because it helped her deal with the pain of losing her siblings so early in life and other heartaches.

At age 17, Eunice met her biological father in person for the first time. The meeting went well because her father was very loving. However, his traditional, Chinese attitude was unexpected because she had not been exposed to Chinese culture throughout her life. Her father told her that he wanted her to marry his friend, a young shopkeeper, Cheung Yuk Moi, James Chong-You. Eunice had never met this man who was several years her senior and had no intentions of marrying a stranger. Her father was unwilling to entertain her reservations about the marriage. Frustrated by her father’s determination and pressure, she cut the visit short and returned home.

She spent a year with her mother and then decided to visit her father again to solicit his financial support to attend nursing school. Her father told her that once she had a husband, she would not need a career. At this visit, he was even more adamant about her marrying James. After carefully considering her father’s recommendation, she met James, and agreed to marry him.

They were married on the 10th of October, a Chinese holiday, “Double Ten” which is believed to give good luck in marriage. James brought a young son to the marriage, Joseph Tensoong “Ten” who preceded her in death. James proved himself to be as charming as he was handsome and very early in their marriage, Eunice fell in love with her husband. Their love produced four children, Carol, Ovril, Derrick and Ioline “Lyn.” These children were her pride and joy, the longings of her heart had now been fulfilled. She doted on them, but not without strong disciplining, with an emphasis on “strong.” She showered them with everything they needed and most of what they wanted, but never spoiled them – the rod was not spared.

Eunice enveloped herself in her church in Spring Garden and held several offices including Dorcas Society leader. During this time, her children would go searching for some of their favorite clothes to wear to church, but the beloved articles of clothing would be missing. Their Dorcas Society mother had donated it to someone who had a greater need.

In August 1954, Eunice’s heart was struck by sorrow once more when her beloved mother passed away, after a long illness. Shortly after that, her brother Hilbert “Son” came to live with her family. She sent both her stepson and brother to accounting and tailoring schools.

Eunice never gave up on anything. Determination was one of her character traits. Nursing was still in her system, so while raising her family, she took a correspondence course in practical nursing from The Belding School of Nursing in Chicago, IL, USA. She excelled in her studies scoring the highest marks. After two years, she completed the course and earned her diploma along with her cap and pin and was so proud of her accomplishment. While she never worked as a nurse, she used her nursing skills on her children and neighborhood children.

The family moved to Troy in 1961 where they acquired a larger property for the family’s shop. It had now become a wholesale establishment. The business prospered and the children benefitted greatly from their parent’s prosperity. Her three younger children were in high school after passing their common entrance and Carol fulfilled her mother’s life-long dream of studying nursing in England. Life was very good, but in the midst of all this happiness and prosperity, tragedy struck. Her beloved husband suddenly took sick and died within a week in June of 1968. This left Eunice devastated and heart broken. She had never run the business by herself before and now this great responsibility was thrust upon her to run the business and care for her young children.

She clung more firmly to her faith and her children for comfort. She aligned herself even closer to her church and partnering up with her best friend, Rose Bromfield, who was more like a sister, she helped to run the Troy SDA church. She and Sister Rose could be seen on Sundays climbing the hills surrounding the district doing missionary work. She referred to those times in Troy as the good old days.

When her stepson and his wife had her first grandson, Junior, it was a joyous time. When he started to talk, he couldn’t say grandma so he called her “Ma” and the pet name lasted for many years.

As her children grew older and got married, she moved around and spent time with each of them, especially if a baby was on the way. Eunice was like the visiting stork. She loved babies especially her grands, and tended to spoil them as grandmothers do. At this stage, she became “Grama” which became her most endeared alias.

After spending many loving years in Kingston with her son Derrick and his young family, when her other three children and their families relocated to the United States, she moved there to be with them.

Eunice spent many years living with her daughter Lyn’s family in Orlando, Florida. There she joined the North Orlando SDA Church where she made many dear friends. At North Orlando, everyone affectionately called her “Grandma” and she loved her church family with the special love only grandmothers can give.

She continued to be involved in one of her passions, missionary work. She loved to go to Winter Garden with her church brothers and sisters, to hand out pamphlets, telling the people about the love of Jesus and inviting them to the little company they had formed. That little company is now the Winter Garden SDA Church. Unfortunately, because of her illness she was unable to attend the church’s opening a few years ago, but the church remains a shining example of her missionary legacy. She loved the Lord, loved to work for Him and had seen souls born into His kingdom through her humble efforts.

In time, Eunice was blessed with many great-grandchildren. Her great-grandson, Justin, struggled to say great-grandma, and so “GG” was added to the many loving names her friends and family called her.

About nine years ago, Eunice went to live with her son, Ovril, and his family in Plantation, Florida. Her devoted son put his life on hold to lovingly and patiently care for her. He watched over her like a mother over a young child. With great sacrifice and effort from Winnie, Leonie, and Rowena, Ovril’s family ensured her final years were comfortable and filled with love.

A terrible sickness eroded her memories over the past several years. As her family watched her succumb to the illness, their hearts were collectively broken. Her Creator knew her body needed rest, so He called her name, “Eunice!” and she slept quietly away into His rest on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 2:45 pm – awaiting her Master’s call once more.

Mama, we love you and God loves you more. Sweet be your sleep. See you on that great getting up morning.

Eunice will be missed dearly.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnsouth.com for the Chong You family.