Veda Anderson Garrell was born on Sunday, March 1, 1931 in Hamstead, Saint Mary, Jamaica West Indies. She was the last of 9 siblings; 8 are all deceased. She passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at home at the age of 89 years old; 19 days before her 90th birthday celebration.
Mother Veda was the daughter of Lenora Walters and Phillip Anderson, her paternal father. In the absence of her paternal father, she was raised by Oscar Burton and acquired his last name. After the death of her mother, Mother Veda was also raised by her aunt, Daisy Grant until she became of age and independent. She attended Sir Clifford Campbell Savannah La-Mar Primary School in Jamaica and the Epsom Basic School in Portmore, Jamaica.
In 1951, she met Keith Garrell. They married in 1967 and from this union produced 4 children, 3 sons (one stillborn) and 1 daughter. After moving to the United States with her family, Mother Veda studied nursing at the Medical Aid Training School, Inc. and received certification as a nursing assistant. She worked at the Saint Patrick Nursing Home for 10 years and the Sprain Brook Nursing Home for 9 years, providing convalescent and geriatric care in various private homes, nursing homes and hospitals.
In 1998, Mother Veda retired. She and her husband Keith moved from the Bronx, New York to Palm Coast, Florida to live out the remaining years of their life. Mother Veda was always verbally giving God thanks for a good life, family, friends and others in her life. Anyone who had contact with her would attest that she was a wonderful hostess. She remembered birthdays, anniversaries or other special events of her children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and acquaintances by calling, sending cards and gifts or visiting with them.
Mother Veda accepted Christ at an early age. She worshipped at St. Michael’s Church in Brownstone, Jamaica and was active in church while she lived in the Bronx. She joined the United Evangelical Missionary Outreach shortly after coming to Palm Coast. Here she worked diligently until her death. Mother Veda would testify and say, “Jesus is my only source”. She was appointed the title of Mother of the church because of her many years of faithfulness and service to the church.
Mother Veda will always be remembered as a person who lovingly cared unconditionally for her family, friends or anyone she encountered. She always did things her way; yet her personality was amiable yet introverted as she did not always express what she was feeling. At other times she was an extrovert, for she would do anything for anyone in need. Folks would at times misinterpret her actions. Nonetheless, Mother Veda kept it moving, waiting for that moment where she could in some way possibly make things right again.
Left to cherish her memories are her 3 children, Keith Jr. Marlene and Christopher; 1 step daughter; 7 grandchildren, 8 greatgrandchildren, 2 step granddaughters, 3 nieces, 2 nephews; 1 son-in-law; 2 daughters-in-law; several good friends and neighbors.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0