I married Mommie Zabeth's 3rd son, Garcia aka Ti-gousse, nearly 25 years ago and as a non-Creole, non-French speaker I got to know Mommie Zabeth in a way that many of you may never have.

As many of you may recall, when Mommie Zabeth was in better health she would travel to her various children's home's and stay for an extended visit;  my house was no exception.  However, the difference about her visit to my home was that 4 out of the 5 people who lived there spoke neither French nor Creole.  And often times Garcia wouldn't be there to translate so we had to get creative.  One thing that I can tell you is that Mommie Zabeth could speak way more English than she let on.  She and I had many conversations but as soon as Garcia came home we were back to translating.  Our English conversations were sort of our little secret.  And over time we developed a mutual love and respect for each other and our visits contained a cultural exchange component where I learned a lot about being Haitian and she learned a little about being American and we tried to meet somewhere in the middle.

I heard a Hispanic preacher once joke that the official language of heaven is Spanish.  And some of you might subconsciously assume that you will be speaking Creole or French in heaven,  I know as an English only speaker I probably expected God to be the same.

But what I have learned from Mommie Zabeth, and really all of you, is that love transcends language barriers.. And when you speak in love and act in love it speaks to the heart, not the ear.  There is no need for a translator because the language of love is universal.

And the God of the universe looked down at his handiwork on November 21, 2017, and chose for Himself the most beautiful vibrant flower blooming in His earthly meadow and He plucked it and replanted it in His celestial garden.  A place where there is always sunshine; free from suffering, sickness and the cares of this life.

Mommie Zabeth's physical presence will be missed but she left a legacy to carry on.  Maybe not in houses and land but through her 6 children and 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and those yet to be born she lives on.

And in closing I leave you with this verse,
 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Uncle Garcia, we are sorry to hear about your loss.  I liked your mother very much and I have very fond memories of her.  She always remembered my name and she would always ask about me.  The children and I love you very much and are so happy you are a part of our life.  When you hurt, we hurt.  That's the kind of family we are. We are here for you in your time of need.  Love Knicky, Boobie, Kier-Kier, and Bam-Bam

Sending my love, thoughts and prayers to the family from here in California. I love you all very much and am so sorry for your loss.

Much love to you & the family Uncle Garcia. Praying for you always & especially through this loss. Our condolences.

Uncle Garcia and family- sending my love, thoughts and prayers to you all at this time.

Garcia,
Almost 25 years ago, I had the pleasure of spending a few days with your Mom. Most of it was spent watching and helping her cook. She renamed me Arnee's California Sister!!  In that  short time she taught me quite a few kitchen skills and we always ended the day with full tummies :).  Rest assure that her faith and cooking skills has rewarded her with a place at the Lord's table. You and your family are in my prayers.
Much Love,
Boni

Mami Zabeth, I miss you so much, thank you for being the best and caring grandmother anyone can ask for. You've been there for me ever since I can remember. I always found comfort in you when I was going through so much growing up! Thank you for caring and loving me! No one knows what I went through and how much you mean to me. You will always live on in my heart! I love you so much! GOD Bless You Always! Rest well Grandma, Love you always!

To dear Garcia, family and friends I send my condolences and my prayers in your time of bereavement.  May God give you the strength and peace that only He can give. Weeping may endure for a night but joy will come when you see your mother again. Keep looking up and the love of God will bring you through this trying time.  I love you all.  Mom-mom

I am so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting your mother a few times and she made quite an impression on me. She openly expressed her love of God; in true mother fashion she insisted I eat her pumpkin soup;she gave me a new name, "Arnee's sister", and she gave birth to a great guy, my brother-in-law Garcia!  She was a real lady. Garcia, when you get lonely, you, your sisters and brothers can always share my Mom with me and my sisters. I love you.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." Praising God that our lost is heaven's gain. Your family will miss your earthly presence but we look forward to the day when we all meet again around God's throne. Rest well until we meet again. Love, Arnee

Mom, I am so hurt.  Although I know that it was time for you to fly, I wasn't ready to let you go. At night, I toss and toss in bed seeing your face and hearing your voice. I can't breathe, and I find myself sitting up in bed with my eyes pouring a torrent- and the hole that you left in my heart, God knows if it will ever heal.
I reason myself over and over that it was time for you to be free, but my heart rebels and can't let go. Heavens could wait a little more. 
Mom, I am heartbroken and pray for the healing hands of God to seal the deep hole that you left.

"Yes I love you, my sweetheart. I won't forget you because you love me. My God, I love you." This is a song my grandmother (who we lovingly called Mommy Zabeth") used to sing with the three of us often. It didn't translate perfectly into English, but we didn't sing it so perfectly in Creole, either (smile). She was always patient to teach us, and we loved to learn from her. She used to jokingly call us her team of doctors but we truly took pride in caring for such a beautiful person like our grandmother. Though we are saddened to say goodbye, we rejoice with the thought that she is in Heaven now, singing this song to the God it was written for. We love you, Mommy Zabeth, and you will not be forgotten. 

xxoo

My beloved mother, my "Sweetheart" has gone on from labor to rest. I will forever miss her but I am comforted in knowing that I will see her again one day. I feel so blessed to have been at her bedside when she breathed her last earthly breath and crossed into heaven's gate.  The words of a song she often sang continues to ring in my heart, "I love you, my sweetheart. I shall not forget you." Until we meet again I shall not forget you, Mommie Zabeth, My Sweetheart. Ti-Gousse aka Garcia

Some of my most profound and happiest childhood moments involve my grandmother. Most importantly, it was her love and laughter that I remember. She had the most endearing chuckle. She looked after my cousins, my brother, and me when we were little. Family meant so much to her, and she took pride in providing care for her grandchildren. In my grandmother's arms, I felt loved, protected, and happy. I feel blessed to have had her as my grandmother, and know that her legacy lives on in her family.

OBITUARY

Elizabeth Sylvain

July 8, 1925 – November 21, 2017

Hellman Memorial Chapels

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