It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, Rita Lavington. Rita transitioned into eternal peace on July 9, 2024. She was 83 years old.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Rose Simmons and Edwin Clarke; sisters: Essie “Mary” Michael, Ismay Phillip, Dinzie Phillip, and brother: King Arthur Simmons
She is survived by her sons: Conrad Clarke and Kurt Lavington; daughters: Jillian Clarke-Webster, Phyllis Clarke, Sylvanie “Fairy” Lavington and Cindy Lavington Pelle; son in law: Alex Pelle; grandsons: Deric Webster; Jermayne Barnes, Curtis Anthony Williams, and Jeremiah Wiltshire Jr.; grandson in laws: Kevin de Lande, Raymond Wiggins III, Marcel Nlandu and Orlando Benitez; granddaughters: Derica Webster-Benitez; Denelle Webster-de Lande, Nicole Smith, Nikisha Pelle, Anika Pelle, Jessica Wiggins, Joanna Nlandu, Jasmine Wiltshire and honorary granddaughter Lorne Joseph; great-grandsons: Kevin de Lande II, Jahseem Wiltshire, Kevin Parrilla, Izrael Barnes, Raymond Wiggins IV, Joel Nlandu, and Adonis Wiggins; great-granddaughters: Jah’Nica Gordon; Jahnya Burnett, Emery Walker, Veronique Nlandu, and Cali Walker.
She is also survived by sisters: Pearl Garnett (STT) and Ena Agustus (UK); special niece and nephew: Angela and Wilford “Mussolini” Hanley (SKN); close cousin: Edgar Ferrell (SKN); children and grandchildren of her late: (Aunt) Winnifred Simon, (Brother) King Arthur Simmon and (Sisters) Essie Michael, Dinzie Phillip, and Ismay Phillip.
Close friends: Albina Benjamin, Brenda James, Miriam Griffith, Jeannette Allen and family, Linda DeCaille and family and Mrs. St. Rose, the de Lande Family, the Benitez Family, the Joseph Family, Shaneka King, the Central Church of the Nazarene family, other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at Central Church of the Nazarene located at 289 Mary’s Fancy, Christiansted. Viewing is at 9:00 am, and services are at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Kingshill Cemetery.
