Young Rayshawn laid to rest

“YOU will always be mummy’s big boy — no one can take your place. You know mummy loves you,” wailed Shiveron Joseph, mother of six-year-old Rayshawn Anthony at her son’s funeral in Buenos Ayres, Erin, yesterday. The boy’s killer-father, who forced paraquat down his throat before drinking some himself in a murder/suicide, was also cremated yesterday. Father and son died a mere hour apart last Thursday at San Fernando General Hospital, and yesterday separate funeral services were held for father and son only hours apart.

Anthony, 33, was cremated at Mosquito Creek after a service at his home at Antonie Trace, Quarry Village, Siparia. At an emotional service for Rayshawn yesterday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Camron Trace, mourners  — young and old — cried openly. Rayshawn’s grandmother, Janice Celestine, at whose home the boy had been staying after his parents’ separation, had to be physically restrained by relatives. Grief overcame her to such an extent that she suddenly got up from her seat and threw plastic chairs around. The elderly woman ran out of the church but was held back by mourners who packed the church hall. Shiveron patted her son’s body in the casket.

She joined in the singing of Rayshawn’s favourite religious songs. During one of the songs, she broke down and muttered: “I will never forget you. God have a plan for you.” As the mother sang, she hugged her other child — daughter Kerri Ann Anthony. The mother placed Rayshawn’s favourite toy car on top of the casket. Rayshawn was remembered as a “chatterbox” and “nice child” at the Siparia Hindu Primary School. Despite the tragic circumstances of his death, however, animosity was not brought out at the service, but peace and love for the funeral of a child who loved his father. This was evident on the written programme which boldly stated: “Anthony goes to meet his father, Raymond Anthony.”