Mr. Wycliffe Richardson, owner of ATV 3 news, who has suffered the loss of one of his children, demonstrated a measure of personal strength – in the midst of grief – which caught the attention of all who attended the Service of Thanksgiving for his daughter, the late Ms. Loureen Lavisteen Webster.
Of similar deportment was her mother, Ms. Valerie Webster, who, while also grieving for her firstborn, stated, among other things, in a written tribute: “I bid you farewell…I am glad that you are out of your years of suffering”.
Mr. Richardson, walking right behind the casket, was able to assist in guiding it into the sanctuary of the Church of God (Holiness) on the Queen Elizabeth Avenue on Saturday, September 10. He also delivered the second Scripture Reading from 1 Corinthians 15:52-58 – two engagements that only a strong and resilient father can deliver in the midst of a burning heartache over the passing of a loved one.
One of the features that provided much comfort to the family was the skilful playing of hymns on the lead keyboard by Mr. Richardson’s son, Devaunie Richardson, a young man with tremendous musical skills and talent. Another feature was that, among the attendance at the funeral, were representatives of the hierarchy of government, church and community, with whom Mr. Richardson, in particular, has had, and continues to have, a long association and interaction as a journalist and churchman.
Though the funeral was held at the Church of God (Holiness), where the Minister is Pastor Philip Gumbs, it was conducted by Pastor Rondy Isles-Carty of the Kingdom Citizen Church in The Valley. Pastor Isles-Carty, in comforting the family, spoke about ministering to their loved one whom he said had undergone conversion three years ago.
The late Loureen Lavisteen Webster is survived by seven children and many other family members. She was laid to rest in the Sandy Ground Cemetery.
