EMOTIONAL SCENES AT FUNERAL SERVICE FOR 3 CHILDREN BURNT TO DEATH 4 MONTHS AGO
Walkerswood, St Ann; May 24, 2025
There were emotional scenes Saturday afternoon, May 24, at the funeral service for three siblings who perished in a fire in St Ann, January 12, more than four months ago.
The three are two-year-old Tavarno Mattis, four-year-old Tashawnie Mattis, and seven-year-old Tashawna Mattis.
The three siblings were burnt to death, Sunday morning, January 12, 2025. They were in a room together and were burnt beyond recognition in the fire that started about 2:30 a.m.
(Casket and composite picture of the three children at the front of the church as Rev Dwight Fraser preaches the sernon)
An autopsy determined they all died from smoke inhalation.
Their sibling, five-year-old Tadane Mattis was rescued along with their maternal grandmother Robin Roach, who was with him in the house in another room.
The three bodies were placed together in a small casket about four feet long and adorned with their pictures. A composite picture of the three was mounted next to the casket in the Baptist Church in Walkerwood, where the more than three-hour-long service was held.
(Grief-stricken mother Tanique Wilson, right, with the funeral directors)
Mother and father of the children Tanique Wilson and Odane Mattis were brought together on the podium at the church, next to the casket containing the burnt remains of the children and received words of encouragement from the church officers residing and the funeral directors. r
Among those giving tributes were: Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Michael Belnavis. He recalled being called and arriving at the scene about 5 a.m., that Sunday. “That Sunday morning will live in infamy in Walkerswood for many years to come,” he said. Romario Mattis, the children’s uncle, did a moving tribute in song, and children from Breadnut Hill Primary, where Tashana was a student, also did a well-received musical selection.
The eulogy was done by Samantha Abu-Bakt, a cousin.
(Father of the children Odane Mattis, foreground in suit, assists with the casket of his three children on the Walkerswood Man road , on the way to the cemetery)
Resident of the Jamaica Baptist Union Rev Dwight Fraser, using the losses of wealth and family members by Job as his text, said tragedy was a part of life. “Tragedy is a part of the nature of life as we live from day to day,” Rev. Mr Fraser said. He said people should not question God about why evil exists.
Reverend Gary Johnson, pastor at the church, said as a minister of religion, he had “never been this way before” presiding at the funeral service for three children. He said people could be assured they are now safe, free of pain, and in a place of unending joy.
(Students from Breadnut Hill Primary rendering an item in song)
The family decided at the last moment that the casket would be taken by foot to the nearby cemetery rather than being borne by the hearse as was planned. Odane Mattis, father and five other relatives, bore the casket through the street, followed by dozens of mourners singing as the bodies were taken to their final resting place.
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THIS VIDEO SHOWS A FATHER’S GRIEF. WATCH:
See more, the North Coast Times 4-minute video of the funeral on the Frankly Speaking Jamaica YouTube Channel.
