This is a tribute to my beautiful, awesome and wonderful sister Routon, from your loving sister Mackie. Very few understand these nicknames, our grandparents used since our childhood and they can only be used by those that truly knew, loved and looked after us. Now we have laid my wonderful sister to rest peacefully, as difficult and devastating as it has been, I can now accept you are no longer here, but you are with our Heavenly Father who has been taking care of us all of our lives. No matter what we have been through God has always been there for us, holding us, protecting us and now you are with Him I have comfort that you are safe and in a better place.

My sister, I miss you and love you so much, I admire your strength and the powerful woman and mother that you was. You raised two beautiful children and knowing how much you invested in them, it was boldly apparent during the last days how much your children were a bright representation of what you have bestowed to them. I see it and I celebrate you not only as my sister but as an incredible black woman and mother. Your girls are strong and powerful just like you. My promise to you is I will be there for your children, love, support and care for them with all my heart and my prayer is that Almighty God will continue to bless and protect them always.

Remember when we grew together sis, the wonderful childhood we had with our grandparents, though we were never hugged, or told how much we were loved, we felt it just by the way they raised us, until we joined our parents. That love that we had, it has never left us, no matter what we have been through, all the negativity thrown at us, it did not matter to us because we had each other and we knew who we were and the power of love between us would never fail us. We know the goodness of God and he did not leave us nor forsake us. As a result, no matter how many people wanted to see us fall, we rose up like eagles, and we have so many beautiful times and memories my sister and nobody can take them away from us. I can see you now playing with your Cindy doll, whilst I indulge in Thunderbirds and looking back now I didn't have Lady Penelope or the pink car and you would always laugh at me and say, "You should have been a boy, I'm going to tell everyone from now on that you are my brother". Not only because of the toys I played with, but because you knew I had a fearless warrior spirit and you loved that about me. You always could make me laugh, our relationship was special, the teasing, the bickering, and the jokes we would share, I couldn't imagine my childhood without your light and presence in it. I remember when we had these Clarks shoes and you hated them so much you kicked off the front of the shoes just so you didn't have to wear them, I laugh till this day. I love that about you my sister, if you don't like something you would not stand for it, such a strong mind and tenacious spirit as a child, right until your last breath.

Oh sis, I long to hear your voice, laughter and see your smile, however your beautiful girls remind me so much of you and I together and I know your spirit is with me continuously. You have done everything God has put you on earth to do and achieved a wonderful purpose here on Earth and I am so proud of you. I love you so much, appreciate you and thank you for all the days you were there for me, you would speak up and stood up for me especially during times I felt I had no one growing up because all of the unfairness, injustice and bias I faced even from our own Mother at times. You had my back, cared for me, listened and understood and I love you so much for that. Your sincerity, kindness, consideration, and love have been with me from day one and always will.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my life with you and having you in my life, from every moment of mischief as kids to us just sitting and reasoning as adults, my goodness we could talk for hours about anything and everything. We have been so many places together, we danced like no one is watching, we have lived like tomorrow wasn't coming, we have laughed until our faces felt numb and loved like we have never been hurt. How wonderful is that my sister, there are no regrets just beautiful memories.
Thank you for receiving my son and daughter with open arms in Jamaica and I know that Daniel and Ebony loves Jamaica so much because of the time you spent together and appreciates you for that. In addition, you also welcomed me there for four months we lived together, it was an incredible experience that took me right back to our childhood. I appreciate the respect and warmth you showed my husband Moltie, you loved and treated him like a brother, which was beautiful to see. I know he loved you like a sister and is also deeply hurting now you are gone. My sons, Charles and Rohan will also cherish every memory and the final moments by your side.

Nevertheless our love is with you and yours with us. We shared so much together, you gave us your heart and we have given you ours. This bond is forever, eternal and unbreakable whether you are near or far, on Earth or in Heaven, I feel you by my side continuously. Before your last breath you knew I would come to see you, you kept saying, "my sister will come" because your spirit and mine has always been so tight, you knew I would be at your side. That is how I know you will always be by my side until it is my time and we get to see each other again.

Goodbye my sister, I love you endlessly and Rest Peacefully in Heaven.

Love your Sister Mackie aka Dee