Belva Helen West

Belva was born on December 24, 1944 in Mandeville, Jamaica; W.I. Daughter of William and Roslyn Mae Arscott née Robinson.

Belva was a retired Nurse Practitioner and supervisor at Jackson Memorial for many years. She was a graduate of Barry University (Miami, FL) and Knox College (Clarendon, Jamaica, W.I.). She was also a devoted member of Parkway Baptist Church.

Belva was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and Nurse to whom family was everything. She will be remembered for her passions of needlecraft, sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery and quilting. Such was her love of sewing that it sparked her entrepreneurial spirit that led to the founding of a successful garment factory in Jamaica. Quilting became a major preoccupation with the extensive crafting of blankets and decorative objects. Nothing brought her more joy than the crafting of sweaters, clothing, and blankets for her granddaughters. She treasured nature and the bounty of the earth. She held a great love for flowers of all kinds especially roses and orchids. She was a phenomenal cook and baker as inherited from her own mother. Her specialties ranged from standard fare to the gourmet as well as the broad spectrum of cultural influences to be found in Jamaican cuisine. The major feasts of Christmas and Easter were not complete without the corresponding fruitcakes or spice buns. Although her musical studies took a backseat to raising her children, Belva's musical interests never waned. Her love of music spanned the gamut from folksongs to country music to opera. As a Nurse, Belva brought loving care and comfort to aid in the recovery of thousands during her nursing career.

She is preceded in death by her father, William Wilberforce Arscott; mother, Roslyn Mae Arscott. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, George Alrick West; sons, David and Douglas of Miami, Christopher (Melissa) of Raleigh, NC; granddaughters, Olivia and Violet; sister, Sheila; brothers, Shirley (Gertrude), Desmond, and Earl (Tuwana); niece, Marshaleen; nephews, Patrick, William, Richard, and Lance; and other family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Fred Hunter Hollywood Funeral Home 6301 Taft Street Hollywood, FL 33024 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday April 1, 2017 at Parkway Baptist Church 18000 NW 18th Ave, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Interment will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Hollywood Memorial Gardens East, 6301 Taft Street Hollywood, FL 33024