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.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Darrellin May Campbell hosted by Bell's Funeral Home & Cremation Services.