Our beloved mother and grandmother, Sonia Maria Griles, also known as “Grandma,” of 162 Sion Farm, has died.
Sonia was born on the Island of St. Croix on January 9, 1940. She migrated to Puerto Rico at the tender age of three along with her siblings to live with her grandmother, Ms. Beatrice Pemberton Yasper (also known as Abuela). Sonia was peacefully called home on October 31, surrounded by her loved ones.
Sonia worked for many years with the Chase Manhattan Bank and then with the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, where she retired after 28 years of dedicated service in December of 1999. Sonia was an active member of the Virgin Islands AARP, Frederiksted Masqueraders, and the St. Croix retirees’ fun activities group. She was also an active member of the Kurt Vialet campaign organization.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cynthia Woods-Washington and Isidore Griles Sr., grandmother (Abuela), Beatrice Pemberton Yasper, sisters: Dorene Griles-Vanputten, Inocencia Griles, and Maryann E. Griles, Brother: Adolph Griles.
She is survived by her sons, Kelson A. John Sr. (BOS) and Kean A. John. Brother Isidore A. Griles Jr. (I.G.). Grandchildren: Shanice A. McCorvey (BOS), Kesiah M. John, Kenya A. John (BOS), Kelson A. John Jr. (BOS), Keson A. John (BOS), Keon A. John, Shaunte Baptiste, David Baptiste Jr. (MD), Rayshaun Davis (Adopted Grandson). Great Grandchildren: Adryana Jean-Louis (BOS) Zola Rivera (BOS)
Nieces and Nephews: Zulma Vanputten (OH), Ruth Johnson (GA), Deborah Johnson (GA), Aimee Griles-Carino (Edwardo Carino), Jennifer Griles (GA), Leroy Daniels Sr. (NV), Jeffrey Griles (Lenise Clarke-Griles) (NY), Raphael Vanputten (Tikia Vanputten) (OH), and Dwayne Daniels (GA).
Great Nieces and Great Nephews: Leroy Daniels Jr. (Javier Daniels, Luna Daniels) (GA); Jaime Daniels (Jaime Daniels Jr., Lionelly Daniels) (GA); Ruben Daniels (Darisneimy Daniels) (GA); Karrissa Daniels (Jamaurius Daniels) (GA). Nyssa Griles (NY) Aslan Griles-Carino. Anyla Vanputten (OH), Riana Vanputten (OH), and Raphael Vanputten III (OH). Darrien Ponder (GA) and Daron Ponder Jr. (GA).
Sisters-in-law: Irene Griles; daughters-in-law: Tara Williams-John, Arlene Coggins-John.
Her many supportive families: Diane Hazelwood and family, Children of Justina Rawlins, Carol Christian (Clifford Christian), Alyssa Phipps, Manuala Christian, Karen Christian (Clifford Christian), Pemberton Family, Griles Family, Coggins Family, John Family, Dawn John-Golden (David Golden), Elisa Coggins-Marsh ( Dave Marsh) Norma Llanos, Beatrice Pemberton, Ignacio Cito Llanos Jr. Roy Pemberton Sr. Roy Pemberton Jr. Iris James and family, Jaynice Williams and family, Natalia Dumont and family, Sandra Howell, Andrea Christian, Christian family of Frederiksted, children and grandchildren of Vera Williams. As well as other families too numerous to mention.
Special Friends: Cecelia Knowles, Grace Armstrong, Sion Farm Family, Elroy Harrison and Family, Florette Begraff, Claudet Edney-King, WAPA Retirees, Bodil Simmonds, Shakima Alicea and Family, Yvette Gordon-McFarlane, Gloria Gordon, AARP St. Croix, Frederiksted Masqueraders, St. Croix retirees’ fun group.
On behalf of the family of the late Sonia Maria Griles, we would like to thank the doctors at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Perez of the Continuum Care, Nurse Lisa Lopez of the Continuum Care, Chaplain Gerald Williams of Continuum Care, Evrill Powell of Continuum Care, Nurse Laurene McIntosh of Continuum Care, Senator Kurt Vialet’s Campaign Team, Rev. Fr. Louis Kemayou, AARP St. Croix Chapter, Jewel Nelsen (Home Care), Maryln Stanley (Home Care), and Frederiksted Masqueraders. We would also like to give a special thank you to Elisa Coggins-Marsh, Dawn John-Golden and Diane Hazelwood.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 6, at St Ann’s Catholic Church 42, Barrenspot, St Croix. The viewing, tributes, and eulogy starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 9:30 a.m. The service begins at 10 a.m. All in attendance are asked to wear yellow, green, or Madras. Interment will follow at Kingshill Cemetery. Professional funeral arrangements are entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home Inc.
“May Sonia Maria Griles, soul rest in Eternal Peace”
