Maria Cristina Birmingham

Maria Cristina Birmingham daughter of the late Artevilla Jackson and Manassas Bambury, was born in Banes, Oriente, Cuba in the year 1915.* Her parents who had shortly emigrated to Cuba from the nearby island of Jamaica raised a family which consisted of Maria and her 7 siblings, 4 boys and 3 girls.

While growing up Maria was very fond of school as well as her other love, singing in the church's choir. In conversations she would proudly describe herself as "the teacher's assistant and the only alto soprano in the choir."

In 1939 her parents decided to return to Jamaica leaving Maria behind with two of her siblings. Edgar, who was her older brother and Ruby a younger sister. Shortly thereafter she married and had a son, Cleveland G. Barclay Jr.

Following a difficult period to survive as a single parent she met Bramwell Birmingham and they forged a wonderful union which resulted in almost 60 years of marriage.

Bramwell was the most positive force who encouraged Maria to gain employment on the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as he himself had done. There she excelled, receiving from her supervisors and Commanding Officers numerous congratulatory letters in appreciation for "a job well done." With constant support, love and support from Bramwell, Maria followed in his foot steps and emigrated to the United States in 1956 a year after he did. Once there she embraced "the land of opportunity" with boundless fervor and energy.

Her first job in the US was with the "Chuck Full Of Nuts" coffee shop chain. Where she quickly discovered that the elegant mature ladies that frequented the coffee shop were always looking for a "girl" who would do a little tidying in their home. A strategy that resulted in great financial benefits and a lifetime of influential friends.

Amazingly, Maria always found time to be a wife, a mother, a homemaker, a friend, a student and most of all a motivator. The folks in New York who knew her marveled at her endless energy as she held down two jobs while simultaneously inspiring many to achieve goals beyond their wildest dreams. It was delightful to see the pleasure she derived from this commitment.

After many years working at Bird S. Cola Hospital, Jacobi Hospital, and Morris Park Nursing Home she retired from the New York City Hospital Administration in 1985.

In 1987 she and Bramwell relocated from New York City to La Belle, Florida. Not surprisingly, she was soon volunteering three days a week at Oakbrook Nursing Home, and with equal fervor cultivating new friends in the La Belle community. Quite often she visited her family in Miami, and along with Bramwell always invited and encouraged her family and friends to spend extensive layovers at her home. Her culinary skills were next to none. Notwithstanding, she also found time to become a member and an active spiritual participant at Good Shepherd Episcopalian Church in La Belle.

Sadly, in 1993 Maria became acutely ill, requiring intensive surgery and full time rehabilitation care. Triumphantly, her Miami family relocated her and showered her with extreme love, care and attention. The Jackson/Charles family, and others, led by her cousin Rose Charles Brown Jackson stepped up to the plate and delivered the most compassionate and compelling care available to anyone. Together, they helped Maria battle bone cancer and subsequently a leg amputation, that needless to say, altered her life as she knew it. And to no end, she was loved and cared for as she spent a great deal of time in Miami.

In spite of these setbacks Maria continued to be diligent in all her endeavors. She was always comforting, helping and motivating all those who crossed her path, ultimately earning her the "largest fan club" membership from family and friends from New York City to Florida. To date we constantly hear family and friends express their love, respect and admiration for her. The anecdotes are endless.

God called Maria home on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 7 pm. She has left to cherish her memory, live by her values, and to receive her heritage, her husband, Bramwell; her son, Cleveland Jr.; her two remaining grandchildren, Cleveland III, and Alicia; four great-granddaughters and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

*01-22-1915 Actual birth date

*01-22-1920 Recorded birth date

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE