District mother laid to rest

Ideline 'Miss Ivy' Needham was a mother to the children of her adopted district, Bunkers Hill in Trelawny.

She was born in Duanvale in the parish on July 22, 1936, and died on February 7, 2019.

The thanksgiving service for her life was held at the Bunkers Hill Church of God of Prophecy last Saturday.

Natoya Sterling, in her tribute, said: "Mama was dedicated to her church. Every Saturday, she would clean the church in preparation for Sunday service. To every child in the district, she gave love and encouragement. Here was a woman whom everybody in the district respected."

Ronald Beckford eulogised her. For him, this mother of seven children, who married Harold in 1979, was his caregiver.

"The love and care she gave to her biological children was not different from the one she gave me. Mama, who worked on Hampden Estates as a labourer, was an independent person. When she was not on the estate, she would walk the district selling ripe bananas and whatever fruit was in season," he said.

Pastor Eric Erskine preached that he grew up in the district knowing Miss Ivy as a total Christian woman.

"Her life and dedication to the church was an example to all. We can live by her examples and feel comfortable in the sight of the Lord," he said.

Needham was buried in her family plot in Bunkers Hill.