Crystal Michelle Joshua

Crystal Michelle Joshua, was born on December 28, 2020 to Joann Lee and Jahmal Joshua. What a bundle of joy that entered into this world! So small, beet red, screaming at the top of her lungs and kicking her little feet so fast as if she was angry to be here. Just like that she added color to our lives with her vibrant personality, contagious smile and loving heart.

Red – Passion, Strong feelings, Love

Crystal was passionate alright; she was determined and strong willed. One Sunday after church, we were at Glam-ma’s house. Jahmal, Sean and Crystal were going to the store, but she fell asleep. Jahmal and Sean left without her because Jahmal didn’t want to wake her up. Five minutes later Crystal woke up. She went looking for her dad in the house, when she realized he had left, she started crying, saying he left her. Crystal became furious at anyone who tried to calm her down. No matter what we told her she wouldn’t calm down.

Pink – Empathy, Compassion, Sweetness

Crystal saw her older adult cousin crying and she said to her Glam-ma “Shesha cry?” and her grandma replied “yes, she is sad.” Crystal walked over to her cousin and said “Shesha, scat! And started laughing.” Mesha started to laugh and began to play with her. Even, when watching tv, if she saw someone crying, Crystal would become quiet and ask “why cry.” She was so sweet and thoughtful. Each night before going to bed, Crystal would give her mom, 10 fishy kisses, a hug, and say “Love you.”

Yellow – Joy, Happiness, Positivity

Bathtime was always fun and exciting. Crystal would constantly run away from her parents, laughing, saying “No, bath” but really, she wanted you to chase her round the house. Joann and Jahmal got a workout every day. How was it possible that she would always manage to get away from them or by pass them?

Crystal enjoyed spending time with her Aunties, Shaliyah and Mea and Uncle Sean. She would often be found watching the anime – One Piece with them. One day, Jahmal was driving and Crystal was in the backseat quoting the One Piece character’s laughs. Jahmal called her aunts to inquire how she knew this and they told him, Crystal would cry if they tried to change the TV or turn it off.

Crystal adored her mom. She was always watching Joann never going to far from her. If she didn’t see Joann, Crystal would call to her “Mommy, where are you.” Once she located Joann, she would say “I found you.” Crystal liked to play with her mom, taking pictures, singing, loving on her mom. If you asked Crystal where’s daddy “Daddy work!” She would be so ecstatic to see her dad when he returned from work. She would run up to him saying “daddy” and give him a big hug.

Orange – Friendship, Bravery, Confidence

Crystal attended Trinity Chrisitan Academy at 2 years old. The first day of school she was so confident and eager to go to school, she didn’t even cry or look back. Crystal, are you ready? “I ready, Glam-ma.” She enjoyed being with her friends and teachers every day. Don’t get their names wrong because she would quickly correct you. Crystal fondly talked about all that happened each day. “Kairo, cry” Why did Kario cry, Crystal “owie his arm.” She would show us her art projects, then run to place them on the refrigerator.

Brown – Dependable, Trustworthy, Wholesomeness

We had a family day at The Escape Game Orlando to complete The Heist challenge. We were split up in two teams. Crystal was with her parents, AuntMa, Uncle Sean, Auntie Mea and Shaliyah. She was the trusty key keeper. We would call on her to bring the different color keys to open the locks to obtain more clues to find the stolen painting. What fun we had!

Crystal heard her Aunt Shaliyah talking about her missing earring. Crystal started looking and found the earring in her Lego wagon, brought it to her aunt “Here you go.” Shaliyah hugged her so tightly.

Blue – Sadness, Loyalty, Comfort

Crystal was observant, paying close attention to her surroundings and people. Her uncle Sean was upset about something and she realized it. Crystal went to him, grabbed him by his hand, pulled him down to sit and hugged him. She was always like this providing comfort to others as needed.

One night, Jahmal was putting Crystal to sleep, but she kept demanding for “iscuit” while slapping his chest. As Joann entered the room, Jahmal told her that Crystal was asking for something called an “iscuit.” Joann replied “Oh she wants her blanket.” As soon as the blanket touched her body, Jahmal was surprised at how quickly she fell asleep.

Green – Envy, Growth, Peaceful

Green is known to be associated with Envy, but I can tell you Crystal didn’t display this emotion. Each day you would see her growth, achieving developmental milestones like taking her first steps, speaking her first word “daddy”, learning her colors and ABC’s. She further developed her cognitive, social and physical skills. Crystal loved to sing, dance, read books, take selfies with different filters. She was very creative and loved to color, paint and create using her Legos and Playdoh. Her favorite cartoons and movies to watch were Bluey, Cocomelon, Princess & the Frog, Encanto, Sing 2, Elemental, Mario Bros and Frozen 1 & 2. You would often find her playing or watching video games with her dad; playing tea parties serving cookies, pastries, and tea; blowing bubbles; cooking with her parents and playing with her family and friends. Crystal amazed us each and every day, there was never a dull moment.

Purple – Royalty, Spirituality, Uniqueness

The week Crystal came home from the hospital, she was surrounded by her family. Auntie Mea suggested to her parents to reenact the scene from the movie Lion King on Pride Rock. They sang the song The Circle of Life as Jahmal held Crystal so that all could see her, while Joann was dying with laughter.

Crystal loved to dress up as a princess; wearing her Elsa, Anna, or Tianna dresses while twirling around. She would often place her cousin’s tiara on her head as she played. “Shesha” would tell her the tiara was hers and Crystal would respond “No, mine” with such authority.

Jahmal found it unique and adorable how she said popsicles “pop-it-full.” She also had a love for hot tea. On the days Crystal did not have school, she would tap her mom on her cheeks saying “Mommy get up want tea.”

White – Purity, Innocence, Goodness

As you have heard, Crystal was filled with goodness, innocence and purity. The love she showed us every day was pure and unconditional. She would often be heard singing “Happy Birthday Jesus” or telling us to bow our heads and put our hands together. She would then say “God is Great God is Good” we would join in and finish the prayer with her “We thank him for our food; By His hands we all are fed; Give us Lord our daily bread; Amen”. One day we asked her, out of curiosity; “Crystal, who is your Lord and Savior? And she responded “Jesus.” This brings us comfort in knowing that she is with Jesus. She was an angel sent to bless and color our lives. Crystal transitioned to be with Jesus, on January 13, 2024. She was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed, but we remain forever colored.

One night when me and my children were leaving, we told Crystal “Bye, we love you” and she starting crying. We took some time talking to her, letting her know she would see us again. We realized she didn’t like the word bye. So, we decided we would say instead “see you later.” To our little angel, Crystal, we say “See you later.” I can hear her response “see you later, love you mean it” as she places her hand to her mouth and blows a kiss.

Crystal is survived by her parents, Jahmal Joshua and Joann Lee; aunts, Joquisha and Latisha Lee, Shaliyah Harrigan, Mea Roberts, and Jahnae Joshua; uncles, David White, Cornelius Robinson Jr., Sean Harrigan, Jaquan, Y’mari, Yasseem, Yadir and Josi Joshua; grandmothers, Princess Lee (deceased) and Mercedes Roberts; grandfathers, Joseph Lee and Yusef Joshua; great-grandmother, Bernadette Gaillard; great-aunts, Maria Roberts (Aunt-ma), Nordelita Charles, Nyra Stout, Jennifer Gaillard, and Cecelia M. Lee; great-uncles, Jerome and Bernard Gaillard, Norris Lasen, Nevon DeCastro (deceased), Nathaniel Lee II, Nordel Charles, and Ronald Stout Sr.; godmother, Shelly Sunanon; cousins, Kiara Lebrun, Raven, Taylah, Liyah, and Gianna Cohen; Sakiya and Neveah Robinson; Ronald Jr., Kenosha, Ronald, Kairo, Shanique, Shanika, Renaldo, and Jarvon Stout; Cheza and Damani Nibbs; Shakira Mactavious; Shakila, Shakita, Shakima, Shakim, Shakifa, Shakyra, and Shakila Alexander; Jaliem, Jalani, Nordel and Latoya CHalres; Natalia, Akisha, Thaniel Lee, and Nathaniel Lee III (deceased); Norris, Nordel, and Shanea Clarke; Imani and Immanuel DeCastro; and Nabulangui Larsen; close friends, Aaliyah Galbraith and Carlos Ramos; and many more family and friends too numerous to mention.

A funeral service for Crystal will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.

In A Moment

In a moment, your life can change for the good or for the bad.

In a moment, my life changed the second Jahmal and Joann told me they were having a baby. I am a grandmother to another generation! An experience I never knew, what will I do? I thanked the lord for blessing me with this opportunity and asked that he guide us in rearing this baby. For he knew her from the womb.

In a moment, my life changed on December 28, 2020 when you, Crystal Michelle Joshua came into this world. I thanked God for your birth and that you and Joann was doing well given the circumstances of your birth.

Each and everyday moments were created with you that I/we will always hold dear in our hearts.

The moment you came home from the hospital

The moment I first held you in my hands

The moment you grasped my finger

The moment you learned to pull hair with those tiny fingers

The moment you learned to walk

The moment you ate Thanksgiving dinner

The moment you started to talk

The moments you would run around the house and burst into my room calling “grandma”

The moments you would refuse to eat but would ask for “cookies or candy, please.”

The moments you would encounter something new and you would share it with us.

The moment you first went to school happier and more excited than us.

The moments you consoled us when you saw we were sad.

I can go on and on about the moments for there were many that brought joy to my heart.

In a moment, my life changed that early morning, January 13, 2024, when I received the news that you were not doing well. I prayed and prayed, No I begged and pleaded with God to give us more time with you. I cried out to the Lord for His mercy. But blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

In a moment, my life changed when I walked into that room and held you for the last time. My life changed! Our lives changed. Crystal Michelle Joshua, my shnook-shnook, thank you for being such a loving, kind, strong minded child. You were truly an Angel on earth sent to impact us boldly. I thank God for your life; for allowing Joann and Jahmal to be your parents; for allowing me to be your “Glam-ma;” for allowing you to part of this family and for the three beautiful, fun-filled years he gave you to be with us. For in A Moment Life changed.

To God our Heavenly Father, Joann and Jahmal, thank you for the privilege of being a “Glam-ma.” I know right now we don’t know if we can get thru this moment but with God’s help, we will. For in a moment, joy comes in the morning. Hold on to each other and God will see us thru.

To our village, thank you for being a part of our lives and for loving Crystal and us. Crystal’s love was genuine and infective. You couldn’t help but love her.

So, take this moment, to tell your loved ones, friends, family that you love them because you have just A Moment.

Your Loving Glam-ma