Velina Modeste

Velina “Anesta” Modeste, was born in Vieux Fort, St Lucia on March 26, 1946. She was the fourth of 11 children born to Ann Marie Palm (deceased). While in St Lucia, Velina give birth to 7 children. She eventually emigrated to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) with all her children. In 1983 she decided to join the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church through baptism at Shiloh SDA church in St Thomas, USVI. She committed to her faith with the same passion and determination she applied to other areas of her life and zealously shared the happiness she found in her faith with anyone who would listen. She became a strong supporter of Christian education and worked diligently to send her three youngest children to SDA schools from elementary through college. She believed in the Bible and tried to live her life according to those principles. One of her favorite passages to quote was 2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land. Her favorite song became “Just When I Need Him Most” and she could be heard singing or whistling the tune as she went about her day. In 1989 she moved part of her family to Orlando, Florida where she joined Mt Sinai SDA church and remained a faithful member serving in many departments until 2013 when she was admitted to a skilled nursing facility due to rapid progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. 

On August 4, 2020, she was diagnosed with Covid-19 and succumbed to the disease on August 13, 2020. Her healing will come on resurrection day when those of us who are believers in Jesus will be caught up together to meet Him in the air. This was her belief, and she sleeps peacefully in that promise.

She is survived by 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 9 siblings, a large tribe of cousins, nieces and nephews and a community of friends and acquaintances.