Best Rudolph Francois Jr.’s story…

(As lived by Best Jr.’s mother)

I had prayed for a son before my 37th birthday in September of this year and though Best Jr. was conceived during relationship turmoil in November 2024, I had strongly believed he was an answered prayer from God.

I honestly couldn’t believe that I was able to conceive given some health concerns, but God prevailed and revealed that I could.

During my pregnancy we had several scares in the first trimester, two subchorionic hemorrhages within one week apart from each other, but after the hospital visits he remained intact and healthy.

Later after a few normal ultrasound visits, my cervix revealed to be short, and I was to have emergency surgery to close my cervix to decrease the chances of miscarriage.

A week after the surgery my amniotic sac had ruptured, and the ultrasound had confirmed that I had very little fluid to make room for growth in the sac.

I was admitted into Memorial Regional Hospital where I remained in antepartum for almost 4 weeks, making sure we can achieve viable gestation age after 22 weeks. The time I remained in antepartum was the beginning of a mental and physical battle only God understood and kept me covered through the process.

I prayed, I cried, I wrote bible verses and posted them on my hospital room wall and strongly believed that God would hold him till’ close to term, but God had other plans.

My son was born 4 months premature on May 7th, 2025, 10 days before my late mother’s birthday (May 17th) and miraculously one week after the viable gestation age (23 weeks and 3 days). 

The beginning of my worries and pain did not stop there. The hardest part was being discharged from the hospital while my son remained fighting for his life in the NICU, but God gave me strength to get through the next unexpected months to come.

Best Jr. overcame many illnesses and setbacks, from meningitis, brain injuries, hydrocephalus, lung and heart complications, bacterial infections, a hand abscess, inguinal hernias, then later succumb to the last health complication which was severe edema for several weeks that caused his kidneys to fail.

But with all these trails and circumstances I prayed and trust God and remained faithful. I made sure to visit everyday even when my mind and body was exhausted, but it was worth the sacrifice because my strength came from God and advocating for my son.

A week and a half I was compelled to read a kids version of the Bible to my son and we completed it in two days not knowing that God would call him back home in the days to come. I would play him gospel music because that is what kept me going during my stay in antepartum. In the last few days, I would come to visit him, and with his eyes closed for almost 3 weeks due to the severe edema, I would find him with both hands raised as to reaching for someone to carry him, it was such a questionable but profound moment to witness.

I may not understand it now, but God is the copy write owner of our life and story. My mother’s loss prepared me for this. My son left earth with no sin, but those who encountered his presence witnessed the truest form of fight and might.

He also revealed to me the truest definition of being a mother during the short time I spent with him. I was given the privilege to attest to how my mother loved, nurtured and fought for us until her last breath.

Now my mother can enjoy my son as I did in his short life on earth.

But at the end, our flesh holds no value, but our kind and pure soul live on in our memories and hearts forever, where God their after, one day will reveal His purpose.

**Honoring Our Beloved Son Best R. Francois Jr.**

With heavy hearts, we invite you to join us as we lay to rest our precious baby Best Rudolph Francois Jr. who was called to Heaven far too soon.

A Burial will take place on August 30th, 2025, at 10:15 AM, at Lauderdale Memorial Park, located at 2001 SW 4th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315.

Though he was with us for only a short time, his presence and his might brought immense love and light.

We welcome your prayers, presence, and support as we honor his life and say goodbye.

In honor of our son’s pure soul, we kindly ask that everyone wear white.

With love,

Gripselidi & Best Sr.

Arrangements entrusted to Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care