In memory of my nephew, Kirk.

Aunty Pam

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In memory of my cousin Kirk.

Elizabeth

Dearest Marilyn:

We know that this is a difficult time for you. We know that your heart must be breaking. We wanted you to know that we are supporting you in prayer, asking God to surround you with His love and peace in these difficult days and in the days and years to come.

Love and Prayers.

Aldon and Maggie.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Dear Marilyn,

Please accept our deepest condolences on the sudden passing of Kirk. Adam and I will remember him fondly. Please remember the good times and cherish the memories.

May all of Kirks friends & family be comforted by the many warm thoughts & prayers of those who cared about him.

To Sis. Marilyn. We want you to know that we are here for you. We have wept with you and we stand ready to support you. You and the rest of the family are in our prayers. We thank God that not only is He our Saviour, but He is the God of all comfort and we pray that you will experience his comfort in a way that you have never experienced. We love you. The Owens

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I am so sorry for your loss. I am Rob Headley’s sister, Sarena and I knew Kirk very well.

He was loved by all for his personality and his kindness. He will always be in our hearts.

Kirk had such an enthusiasm for life and a shining personality that drew people in. His memory will live on and inspire us to live life to it’s fullest.

Dear Marilyn,

I’m so sorry that we lost Kirk so abruptly and so young. He did go for a reason and only God knows that reason. Knowing Kirk and having him as a friend in my life was such a gift to me. I was so blessed to have our friendship. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and God will help comfort you as well as your loved ones.

Love, Brenda

Kirk,

was my “brother” –I didn’t have a brother and although we were not born of the same parents–we adopted each other cuz everyone thought he was my brother because we looked alike so much!

I really miss him –and I am so sorry to know he is not with me in this world but I know in my heart he is in a better place now. But I really miss the times when we would get together–and everyone would always be drawn to staring at us –because we were always so dramatic with each other–but most of all-he was a wonderful person, very up-beat– he was my brother! I miss you Kirk! I always hear his words — “what’s up sis?” in my head!

I just want to use this opportunity to offer my condolescences and regrets to his family!

With Deepest Sympathy –

May the fond memories of Kirk comfort all of us at this sad time…My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his loved ones

Kurk was a wonderful person that always give us some much energy and love for the ones that we were lucky to share a part of his life.

He always will live in our hearts. My deepest condolences to his family and specially his Mom.

Kirk will always be in my heart. He was a bright light that was dimmed to soon. I will always cherish the time I had with Kirk. I will miss his smile and his laugh but I will always have the memories to brighten my day. He is gone but his spirit will not be forgotten.

My deepest sympathies to all who knew Kirk. I was blessed by getting to know him briefly and I know by the beautiful energy that he permeated that his absence will be heartfelt by each and everyone he touched. May his happiness and wonderful spirit become a legacy and teach us all what an impact we make in life, however long or short our stay here may be. God bless all.

I remember Kirk as a fun-loving guy that enjoyed life. He will live on in the joy he brought to his friends.

Hi Marilyn,

May God’s sheltering wings protect you, and his light divine direct you, turning darkness into day.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…Romans 15:13

All the best,

Alaire

Kirk brought joy into the lives of everyone he met. Mine was certainly no exception. He may not be with us in the physical sense but he is watching over us all now and continues in wanting to bring happiness to our lives.

Marilyn,

We love you and are praying for you … Las, Maureen, Julie-Ann and Andrew

Marilyn,

May God continue to strengthen you during this difficult time, and may you always cherish the precious memories of a wonderful son.

Kirk, I love you and will miss you dearly. You’re the only friend I can remember who always had a smile on his face no matter what was going on. May God keep you close always.

Love Always,

Rosio

My dearest Kirk, I am so glad I was able to spend time with you. Those memories will live on forever. You always brought a smile to my face and everyone’s else. My sincere condolences to your mom. Your Trini partner!

Marilyn,

I know that the sudden and unexpected loss of your only child is difficult to understand but the thoughts and prayers of your relatuves in England are with you today and always.

Love and best wishes from Carole, Howard, Nigel and Michelle

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Marilyn,

May the Lord continue to give you strength to carry on. Cherish the memories you have of your son and keep him in your heart, but don’t loose your beautiful personality.

Marilyn, my condolences to you and your family. Your lost is great, but remember that God plan is not our plan, He is the great comforter and He will never leave you alone to bear your lost. Be conforted in knowing that your family and friends are holding you up in our prayers. Lean on Him and be conforter by Him.

May Kirk rest in peace

Love always

Dorothy… Pam,s friend

Our prayers are for comfort and strength for you Marilyn, and remember God is always there for you, and Kirk will never be forgotten.

marilyn,

my dearest condolences go out to you and derrick i never met you but kirk was like a brother to me and my other 2 sisters i first met him when i was 5 years old i’m now 20 our nick name for him was cookie i can’t believe he’s gone but i know he’s in a better place now i know he’s in heaven watching down on us god bless you and your family

Marilyn and Family,

I’m sharing my condolences and support with you at this very challenging time.

We love you, and hope that HIS garment of praise will sustain when it’s emotionally very heavy for you.

The Lord wiil see you throughout this time just continue to trust him with all thine heart and he shall direct thy path.There are many things i would like to say but for now take these Hugs and Kisses. Remember that you are very SPECIAL. May the Lord continue to Bless and keep you in his righteous right hand.

Antoinette

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Marilyn , There are really no adequate words to say at this time. Just know that your friends feel with you in your sorrow – just esxpress it – we are here for you if ever you need a shoulder to cry on. Know too that “Underneath are the Everlasting Arms” of the God of all comfort which WILL bear you up and enable you to go on.

Our love and prayers are with you.

Sweet Marilyn, I know sometimes it is difficult to understand the burdens that we are asked to bear, but I want you to take comfort in the fact that “He knows, how much you Marilyn, can bear.” My prayer for you, is that God will give you clear and specific instructions for the next phase of your journey MOTHERHOOD TO… as you continue to walk on,in the purpose for which you were created.

Walk on sweet Marilyn, walk on!

I Love you, and I am praying for you.

Lorraine.

Marilyn:

You are such a sweetheart, one of the nicest persons I know, and I know a lot of people. Since you have come into my life, you have shown me the true meaning of Christianity, charity and benevolence, with your authentic behaviour and kind words.

I know that you certainly passed these and other qualities unto Kirk, which means he was a fine young man.

Just remember, after each tragedy, find some time to PLAY, because our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall.

I love you very much.

Marilyn,

There are no simply words to say to you at this time. However, take comfort and remember that God has promised you that “He will never leave you, nor will He forsake you”.

You are such a special person, with a beautiful personality, which is contagious!! I am sure that your son must have been a blessing in your life as you are in ours.

There is a saying, that God takes the best home first and I am sure He did when he called Kirk home.

God bless you my sweet friend, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Love you

Michelle Hodges

MARILYN MY DEAR FRIEND,

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your son to a higher place. We cannot know God’s purpose in out lives but we know that Kirk is in a good place and that he was needed in that place. Release him and give God thanks for his life and for the many people who loved and respected him in his time on this earth. All the support and love that you want and need is here for you. Much love! Yvonne.

On this my 14th anniversary of my ordination to the Gospel Ministy, I am finally able to write. I reread the sermon I preached at Toney’s funeral about God making all things new and in death there is life. It has been most difficult to write given the depth of Toney’s and my friendship and the deep sense of loss I feel. However, I have had to practice what I preached and so I have focused on the gifts of courage and unconditional love that was so indicative of Toney’s life. His death has inspired me to honor true friendships and relationships, live life to the fullest-thus I am now committed to getting current with my multi-engine commercial pilot’s license, and to publish my first novel. Had it not been for his death I would not have experienced new life. I pray that you all who grieve his loss focus on what “newness” God will shower upon you. I am convinced that Toney would not want us sad and so cry if you must, but know that he is indeed “absent from the body and present with the Lord.”

May God Bless and keep you.

John 16:33

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me…” John 14: 1-6

Today, April 10th marks the one year memorial of when Toney as I was told by him to call him was memorialized and funeralized. His life was one of cheer and enjoyment. He lived it to the fullest.

When I conducted Toney’s funeral last year, I was at a strong point emotionally in my life and “pulled it off.” Afterwards, I crashed. It was the toughest thing I have ever had to contend with in my entire life! Being a minister, I had “friends” who thought I should “have handled his death better.” After all, “aren’t you supposed to be closest to God.” I did not listen to them. I found courage. Courage for me was not holding it all in, but rather letting it all hang out. For weeks I laid in my bed an just cried being completely vulnerable. I did not answer the phone and it was hard to do any work let alone meet the deadlines to have my first book published, which by the grace of God I was able to do.

So on this day, know that we all made it. One year. I was told the first year would be the hardest. It has proven very true for me. If it is still hard for you and you cannot “just get over it,” allow yourself to be open, vulnerable, emotional. Get it all out so you can move on. Being weak, I was made strong able to deal with my feelings and move on. I pray today that we all can move to enjoying and living life as only Toney Kirk did and could. That is his legacy for us all and that is the Creator’s God’s will for us to truly not let our hearts/spirits be troubled.

Toney died so we could all live. Let’s do so today. He personally gave me some new friendships and relationships that have proven extremely unique. I shall cultivate them to the fullest. This is my prayer. Amen.

In the world you will have tribulations, but take courage for I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

It’s been 1 year already…..My heart & soul goes out to Marylnn and to all whom loved him. I go through personally with the loss, not only was Tony my brother but my son was born on the day he passed away. It’s a bitter but sweet day.

Much Peace & Love

Mijan

To all of you who personally knew

Toney. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Toney, but yet I know him by the the wonderful things I’ve read and heard about him. I believe that his spirit will live on through the fond memories you all share and perpetuate through the conversations you share among you all. To his mother, on one hand you lost a son, but on the other hand you gained another…his name is Rev. Tommie Watkins and as you celebrate and continue to cultvate it, not only will the both of you be blessed, but Toney would have wanted it to be, and God will be pleased. Let God be your continued strength.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die..a time to heal…a time to weep..a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

It was a year ago this month that I was able to post my first memorial of Toney. So to mark this month I wanted to post something that also marks my anniversary to the ordained ministry. This past year has been extremely tough emotionally. Though, I have written a book and am on tour, which is emotional in itself; however mostly because of personally dealing with the death of a good friend and brother that most traumatizing. I cannot tell you exactly why his death was so difficult for me, but God knows. However, now it is time for laughing, dancing, and moving on. As I write this I know others may be equally struggling in your own way. Know that you are not alone. The pain will subside if you face it. Time does heal so let’s be patient with each other and continue to love each other for this is what God and Toney would want.

Blessings,

Rev. Tommie

Whatever your cross

whatever your pain

there will always be sunshine.

after the rain.

Perhaps you may stumble

perhaps even fall

but, God’s always there

to help you through it all.

Today marks the the second year of Toney’s passing. It is also a High Holy Day in the Christian tradition of which I am apart to celebrate another memorial.

I am extremely encouraged today knowing that in death there is truly life and that life truly continues. Death is not the end it is only the beginning. We are born and we die, but life is forever.

It is in this hope that I can write today and not in the hurt, pain and dispair of years before. Today my spirit is settled, sure, and secure that Toney is alive with God and I shall see him again one day just as I shall see my Savior! In this blessed assurance of the Communion of All the Saints i hope you find solace and comfort.

Peace be with us all, always.

Happy Eastertide!

“If Tears Could Build a Stairway”

If tears could build a stairway

And memories were a lane

We would walk right up to Heaven

And bring you back again

But know we know you want us

To mourn for you no more

To remember all the happy times

Life still has much in store

Since you’ll never be forgotten

We pledge to you today

A hallowed place within our hearts

To where you’ll always stay.

On this Jewish New Year Celebration of Rosh Hoshana and the Islamic Ramadan celebration and the Christian Eve Celebration of Holy Cross,I cannot help but to remember you on this date of commemoration of your birth. Had you remained in this dimension you would have been 32 years old today, but now you remain ageless in the Spiritual New World.

I celebrate the newness that death had brought to you and me. The new relationships and the new friendships. I know that God works all things and maketh “All Things New.”

As each year progresses since your departure, the pain and sadness is abated. Thank God for that sweetness of pause and rememberance.

You shall remain forever with me in my heart, thoughts, and prayers!

Happy Birthday.

This is year number three without you here in the flesh to share life. I know that God had and has a purpose for everything and in this fact do I find comfort and support. You are special, remembered, and loved.

I miss you and love you dearly.

Another note to say that I remember you and still miss you very much on this day of commemoration for your birthday.

Though the angst feel not as potent the void remains the same. You are not forgotten and severely loved always!

It was four years ago in the evening when I got the call that you were on your way out of this dimension to a much better and freer place.

You are remembered, loved, and honored this Holy Week as I look in hope to Resurrection Sunday as a foretaste of the glorious resurrection we all shall experience in Christ Jesus our Lord.

May light perpetual continue to shine on you always. Amen.

On this month, I stil miss and remember you especially on the 13th when you would have been 34. God knows best. May you continue to rest in peace. Amen.

5 years! Wow how time flies. The pain is not as powerful but the void is the same. I still miss and love you very much!

May light perpetual continue to shine on you on this commemoration of your birth.

Love and miss you!

You will never be forgotten. Cannot believe it was so sudden and so long ago. Still love you so much!

I am remembering you as your birthday passed. I know you are “absent from the body and present with the Lord.” Love and cherish our friendship always. May God’s Unconditional Love and Light perpetual shine forever upon thee!

The commemoration of your death falls on Easter Week and it is in the comfort and promise of Ressurection Light that I am certain you are resting in the loving arms of God Almighty! After 8 years you are still loved and missed.

Even though you are not present on this side to celebrate your birthday, I remember today that you were born and now live in new birth forever with God. Love and miss you my friend!

Father of all, I pray for Kirk whom I love but see no longer:Grant him your peace; let light perpetual shine upon him; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in him the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

After 9 years, you are still loved and cherished my friend.