Janice Mitchell and Keisha Mitchell were laid to rest on Friday morning at the Westbury Cemetery.
The mother and daughter died after a fire at their Chapman Lane St Michael home on July 10.
The service was held at the cemetery’s Chapel, with only a few people in attendance, in observance of the COVID-19 protocols limiting numbers on certain gatherings in Barbados.
Several of the mourners who attended the brief service wore T-shirts with images of the mother and daughter whose deaths rocked the country.
Despite the grief, Travis Mitchell spoke strongly during the service as he paid tribute to his mother and sister.
He said his mother was a single parent who ensured that they were not starved of love. While she was quiet and conservative, she had a welcoming and gentle smile. He stressed that her life should be celebrated.
“I have learned over these couple of weeks that nothing can truly prepare you for the loss of a loved one. The thought of never being able to see them again is overwhelming. The memories you shared and the inability to make new ones, is disabling, the pain piercing like a sharp knife.
“I declare that today is not a day to dwell on that pain; rather it is a time to celebrate the lives of these two special people we held dear,” Travis said.
Travis also spoke proudly about his sister’s love for her Fabulash business, in which he said she put her all.
“Keisha was where she wanted to be, she had found her passion, her calling. She poured her heart and soul into Fabulash and thankfully it paid her dividends. It is still vivid, the moment she called me to tell me she passed her course, and in no longer than a few weeks she was up and running.
“In short order, Keisha was running her own training courses and as I understood she became one of Barbados most well-known beauticians. It is remarkable and I celebrate her accomplishment,” he said.
Janice’s granddaughter and Keisha’s one-year-old daughter Haylee, is still recovering from injuries she received during the incident.
Brian Oneal Browne, was charged in connection with the incident. (TG)
