Viola Agatha Celestine Braithwaite

Sis Braithwaite and I were very close friends for many, many years and did so many things together. I have fond memories of all of the shopping trips and the days when we would go to the laundry back when nobody had their own washing machine. We would spend hours there washing and ironing sheets on the big industrial roller iron. We would talk and laugh and just share life together; we got on so well, more like sisters than friends. Our children grew up together and my sons and her sons were close. When we would go shopping, she had a fantastic eye for a bargain which was handy since we both had reasonable sized families and limited money. I remember shopping for the material for her daughter's wedding dress. She was a talented seamstress and used to give me many tips on how to achieve the perfect fit. I missed her so much when she retired to Antigua but we tried to keep in touch. I remember how she took it so badly when Bro Braithwaite died. Last year, when I visited Antigua, we spent precious time reminiscing about the old days, the church outings, the camps, the singing...everything. When we were leaving church, she told our hosts (my sister and her husband) 'Look after her, she's my good, good, good, good friend!'. She was a lovely person inside and out, young at heart and a loyal companion. I look forward to seeing her again on that great getting up morning when we can renew our friendship in the presence of Jesus himself.