Page 9 - 4-10-15 Friday's Edition

Local
Accident Leaves 8 Dead:
Local Minister Observes Faith In The Midst Of The Tragedy
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Monday, March 30th, 8 members of The Independ- ent Haitian Assembly of God Church died in an accident. The accident took place about 60 miles from their church in Fort Pierce.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, those killed in the accident were: Vol- saint Marsaille, 58, Judge Petit-Frere, 66, Obernise Petit-Frere, 58, Lifaite Lochard, 58, Madeleine Williams, 53, Wanie Larose, 60, Dazilla Joseph, 79, and 71-year-old Servilus Dieudonne. All of the victims were residents of Fort Pierce.
Ten other individuals, in- cluding a 4-year-old child, were injured in the accident.
Rev. Dr. Marcia Turner, the former daugh- ter-in-law of Mrs. Joseph, said she is still very close to the family. Rev. Dr. Turner visited Fort Pierce on Good Friday to be with the family. What she ob- served has changed her life forever.
“The tragedy brought the people in the city together with the church community.
I witnessed something I have never seen before. I saw the spirit of the Lord at work.
“That Friday was Good Friday and the people praised the Lord all day long. When I say all day, I mean all day. They would have a ses- sion, come out eat, have a drink, talk and then another
minister would start another session. They would go in- side at different intervals and worship and pray until you could hear them wailing unto the Lord.”
Rev. Dr. Turner said there was no anger, there was no blame, no finger pointing or accusations. She said they saw the tragedy as a divine order of God and they didn’t question it.
“I was in total awe, a na- tion of people =that have been in the trenches for such a long time, leaving their homeland in search of a bet- ter life for themselves as well for their survival family members in their country,” she said.
The church will have a joint funeral for seven mem- bers of the tragedy on Satur- day, April 18th. The services will begin at 10 a.m., in Fort Pierce.
However, the body of Ms. Dazilla Joseph was re- turned to Haiti. Ms. Joseph was the mother of 10 chil-
dren. Ms. Lunna Dor- remil-Joseph was the youngest. Ms. Dorremil Joseph, had been ill for about 4 years.
“She took the news very hard. The family said that she laid down on Saturday night and at some point dur- ing the night, she went to be with the Lord. She died in her sleep,” Rev. Dr. Turner said.
On Friday, April 10th, the family will have a double fu- neral service for the mother and daughter in Haiti.
“The church had pur-
Nicolas Alexis is one of the survivors of the accident.
Ms. Linda Dorremil is shown comforting a family member of one of the accident victims.
Mrs. Dazillia Joseph was one of 8 people killed
This van belonging to the Independent Haitian Assembly in the accident. of God Church was involved in an accident on March 30th.
Eight members of the church died in the accident.
This mourner is shown dur- ing a candlelight vigil held for the deceased members.
chased outfits for the families to wear to the funeral. She (Lunna Dorremil- Joseph) will still wear her outfit. They will dress her in it for the funeral.”
A Go Fund account has
been established to help de- fray the costs of the funerals. The church is attempting to raise $100,000.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit www.go- fundme.com/qeqt34.
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A