Darrellin May Campbell

Darrellin May Campbell was born to Inez and Estivan in Oracebessa, St. Mary, Jamaica. She was the fourth of six children. She had an awesome childhood as described by her. “Gem,” as she was called, was kind, caring, compassionate, and devoted to family and friends. Nothing was too good for her to share. Gem was a champion for all who she felt needed an advocate. She was an amazing mother to her beautiful children: Althea (Debbie), Lorian (Paige), and Ocary. She was an even more doting aunty/grandmother to her eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, those of friends, and all those in the neighborhood. Mommy’s calling was to care for everyone and this cemented her love for nursing. She was a trained practical nurse and home care attendant in the U.S., where she somehow ended up in palliative care, nursing her patients until their last breath. Mommy was a voracious reader, loved swimming, cooking, and music. She knew all the great classics; a trait she has passed to us all. Gem was a feisty, straight forward woman who didn’t sugar coat her words. However, after being baptized, she would often say, “I gonna beg God three minutes fo’ tell you my mind.” I’m sure she ran out of minutes. Mommy loved family and was the one who could tell you about everything about our history and what happened when. A living history book, she followed current affairs, was a news junkie, and would call us to update us as to what was happening in the world. Mommy valued education and hard work as the way to attain what you wanted. She, somehow, gave us all an education with the little she had. She made immense sacrifices to ensure that we achieved what we did. She took on the role of mother to the grandkids, to allow us to work and achieve our goals. She did that for years, until they “passed the worst” as she would say. Mommy was a great believer in God and would often say “God will provide, nuh worry yourself. He always gives us what we need, not want.” She would often tell us I’m getting old, so I will soon kick the bucket, because she didn’t fear death or dying. When she was diagnosed with T cell lymphoma/ leukemia, she had the same approach. “I’m gonna give this the best fight, but when God says him ready, I’m ready.” We believe she was ready. After hearing and seeing us all on the afternoon of June, 11th, God decided it was time to go. Mommy, you will be missed, but the values you taught us will remain. Sleep in Peace Mommy, Aunty Gem, we love you. Darrellin leaves behind 3 children Althea (Debbie), Lorian (Paige) and Ocary, grandchildren Allana, Alex, Matthew, Madison, Stephan, Natasha, Lauren and Paige and great- grandchildren Sanai, Reign and Dallas along with a host of loving family and friends.