We've known lots of pleasure, at times endured pain, We've lived in the sunshine, and walked in the rain.
But now we're separated, and for a time apart, But I am not alone - You're forever in my heart.
Kize Nadine Rogers-McLemore AKA “Shorty” and Rogy” was born April 30, 1978 at the Port Maria Hospital to mother Versellas Henry and Father Georgy Rogers. She was the first child for her mother, bringing joy and happiness into her life. Kize was born at just a little over seven pounds. She grew into an active vibrant baby, full of joy and destined for greatness. The path her life would take would forever be indelible in the life and hearts of her family and loved ones.
Her mom recounts that Kize got sick when she was around 2 years old. Ms. Henry was so concerned about her losing weight and her size that she set out on a mission to fatten, nourish and strengthen this little bundle of joy. Taxis were not readily available in those days, so many mornings she remembered taking the long journey many miles from Albion Mountain where they lived to Pagee beach in Pt. Maria by foot, in order to buy doctor fish and other types of fish to make soup for Kize. She made a full recovery and would go on to lead a life full of promise.
Kize attended the Albion Mountain Basic school and then moved on to the Port Maria Primary school. Kize was not a lonely only child, two years after she was born, her sister Stacey-Ann AKA Baled arrived. Public passenger vehicles/taxis were not available hence Kize and her mom had to walk to and from school until she was later joined by her sister. Kize and little sister Stacey -Ann began to take the journey themselves to and from school at that tender age. Her mother was proud. Her teaches often reported that Kize was a good well mannered and respectful child. Even though times were hard, Ms. Henry always ensured they attended school, and despite the long journey to school, they were always early. After common entrance, exams, Kize moved on to the Oracabessa High school. She was loved by her teachers.
She loved her siblings so much, despite often times there was sibling rivalry. Reynoldo was the last child of Ms. Verse and baby brother to Kize and Stacey-Ann. He had a special place in Kize’s heart. Reynoldo told me the story of when they were young; Baled loved to beat him. He would run to Kize for refuge. Kize would stand up to Baled and fight for him. As a matter of fact, Kize and Baled were at often logger heads over her prized brother who she didn’t want a fly to pitch on. Yes, Kize spoiled him, but Stacey-Ann was having none of that.
She was hard working and supported her mother in every way she could, even as a child. Kize’s mom did higglering, peddling her wares in Ocho Rios market. Sometimes two times for the week Kize would carry her laden market box on her head alongside her mother through Wentworth bush many miles to Port Maria, where she would leave them to be transported to Ocho Rios. She would walk back to Albion Mountain to get ready for school. She would then walk the second trip back to Port Maria in order to catch a bus to school. All while being early for classes. Life was hard in the early days. The journey was rough, and involved a lot of walking from deep rural Albion Mountain to Port Maria, but Kize was blessed with a determined spirit, and was willing to fight through life came what may. Laziness was not in her book, even as a child. Her mom would then take the fruits from Port Maria to Ocho Rios where they were to be sold. After school in the evenings, Kize wasted no time in heading to Ocho Rios to help her mom and sell her fruits. Kize would sell mangoes, guineps, locasts ( a small green skinned sweet fruit the size of a marble), while her mom would sell a mixture of these along with plantains and bananas. Kize would also come home in the evenings and washed her clothes, got up early in the morning and ironed them. Then off to another day
Kize would also sell locast at school when they were in season. Many children would try to race it to the locast tree to get the early score on picking up the fruits. However, Kize would often beat them. She would get up very early in the morning to go to the locast tree. She was very energetic, hence would pick up twice the amount other children would in a short amount of time. She would take some of this to sell to students and staff of her school at Oracabessa High. Reynoldo tells the story of one morning they got to the locast tree late. When they got there, under the tree was filled with other children picking up the fruits. Kize said to Reynoldo “no worry just pick up” at the end of it, Kize worked with such a speed that she had picked up ten times what he had, and far more than everyone who were there before them
Kize had small feet. As a result. All her cousins’ shoes could fit her. She would often shoe swap with her cousins when going to school. Because of this Kize would wear a different shoe to school right through the week. This in a time when many children only had one pair of shoes. One day teacher looked at her and asked her ‘where you get so much shoes that you can change shoes so often’. Even though the teacher meant it as an insult, Kize just laughed it off as she knew her secret was in her little neat feet! Kize was always clean and neat for school and her little petit figure is what gave her the name “Shorty”
Her brother recounts that Kize was very stubborn ‘but in a good way’. She was very strong willed and loved to see things happening the way she wants, very protective when it came on to family and wouldn’t play to curse you out if you troubled her loved one. Very peaceful, but could get very ‘ignorant” in the Jamaican terms, if you got her out. Kize was very industrious around the house.
In High school, Kize was very popular and active, she took an interest in track and field and sports and excelled in this field. So much so that she was selected to travel abroad to represent her school twice in track and field competitions in grade 9.
Kize Migrated to Florida in America where she met and married her first love Kenneth McLemore at the age of 18. One year after she gave birth to a bouncing baby boy who she named Kenneth McLemore Junior after his father.
She worked as a security guard for a while, however, she knew that wasn’t her destined career path. Kize loved caring for others, and assisting people who were in need. Her high aspirations and ambition coupled with her determination pushed her to further studies. She enrolled at Piper Community College, where she pursued Medical Insurance and Coding. She later pursued a second course of study and was certified as a Medical Technician. Kize later became employed to the Tamarac Rehabilitation Centre in Florida where she worked for many years.
Kize took Pride in her appearance. Yes, she was Miss Look Good. Her hair and clothes had to be up to par when going out. Her sons had to be decked out from head to toe in the finest apparel. Appearance is one area that she believed was vital and spoke volumes about an individual.
Kize was kind to her mom, family and anyone she met. She believed that nothing was too good to give away. She took care of her mom in the best way that she could. Always thinking about the wellbeing of her family, ensuring they had food and other necessities, packing barrels for her family, ensuring that their holidays were happy. If she didn’t have it to give to her mom, she took it hard on herself. Her mom often complained that even if this is so, she should still maintain good communication, because just hearing from her brought even greater joy and peace of mind than anything else.
In 2012, Kize gave birth to her second bouncing baby boy, Isaiah AKA Tunka. Prior to his birth, with her baby bump, she visited her mom and family in Jamaica, and oh what a reunion it was. Finally, Ms. Verse was able to lay eyes on and hold her first daughter again in her arms after so many years. You could only imagine the excitement, laughter, joy, catching up on old times. Not to mention her sampling so many local foods she was unable to eat for so many years. She got her cow head stew, an abundance of roast breadfruit and all the ackee she could eat. She got her potato pudding, ‘manish wata’ and yard style cooking. Oh, how her heart overflowed with joy.
In May to June 2022, Kize got ill. She was plagued with various health issues that took a toll on her body, getting worse with time. It weakened her physically, but wouldn’t daunt her spirit. Despite the numerous medical tests coupled with the illness she still fought through the rigors of life, went to work, took care of her son and lived the best life she could.
In November 2022 Kize was admitted to the hospital. Her Aunt Pamela stood by her side along with her son Kendale, later joined by her Mom Ms. Verse. Even in the hospital she couldn’t contain her excitement, as all the love poured out from her wide beautiful eyes because finally she layed her eyes on her beloved mother once again. We hoped and prayed for her recovery, but sadly, God had different plans for Kize. On Monday November 28, of that same year, Kize took her last breath. Kize was no more.
Kize leaves behind; her sons Isaiah Donaldson and Kenneth Kendale McLemore, Her Mother, Versella Henry, her sister Stacey-Ann Anderson her brother Reynold Reid, Nephew Olandzo Reid, Step Father Gofferey Reid, beloved Aunty Pam- Pamela Henry, Uncles, cousins loved ones and friends.
As we gather here today, still reeling from the tragic untimely death of Kize, we are saddened and shocked at her passing. We seek to make sense of this, to understand the reason why this happened. What possible meaning or lesson can be learnt from this?
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers, and as difficult and painful as it is, God the author and finisher of our faiths is the ultimate decider of our destinies. As a family, as friends, as a community, we express our sadness, we acknowledge our loss, acknowledge the great importance of Kize’s life, and the loss to us all that her passing brings. Her life was short; however, we are grateful that we were impacted by the life of such a beautiful soul. We are grateful for the moments we shared with her, for the memories made, for the fact that she has touched our lives in so many ways. We will cherish her memory for ever. Let us say not in grief: "she is no more", but live in thankfulness that she was.
We will always remember her. At the rising of the sun and at its going down, we will remember her. At the changing of the seasons, the blowing of the wind and in the chilly weather, we will remember her. At the opening of buds and in the dawning of Spring, we will remember her. At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of Summer, we will remember her. She will live on in our hearts forever.
We cannot Lord thy purpose see, but all is well that is done by thee.
May her soul rest in peace.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baileymemorial.com for the McLemore family.
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