ATTENTION: During this COVID-19 crisis, as we begin to phase back into small capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting and controlling the number of people allowed at services. There is an absolute limit of 50 people maximum allowed, at both the church and cemetery, at any given time. This includes All the family, All the church personnel, and All the funeral home staff, in addition to any slots for friends left. To best prepare for the services, if you have not already indicated your intent to the family to attend, Please make the family aware if you are coming to any of the services, which one(s), and with how many people, ASAP. If you do not have the family's information to contact them, you may call the funeral home to make us aware of your plans for attendance. Those that are known to be coming will be given priority over others, not only in entering but also being allowed to remain. So if you have not made anyone aware of your intent to attend, and there is an overage of people, you may be asked to leave to make space for those who have indicated their intent to attend in advance. There is also strict social distancing the church has in place that must be followed as they specify. And there will not be access to all areas of the church. So please plan accordingly & please carefully follow all directions given on the day of services. We Thank You in advance for following directions, so as to make all go smoothly on the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of all. We All appreciate you all for respecting & following any/all policies & laws if you plan to attend the viewing/visitation this Tuesday 10:00-11:00am & Funeral Tuesday 11:00AM. Thank you so kindly!
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You MUST wear a mask in the church at all times. If you do not come wearing a mask, the church will provide you with one. You must use hand sanitizer upon entering the church, & possibly have your temperature taken. The church requires you sign in as being in attendance in their facility, as well as the family will additionally have you sign in for their own record. You are encouraged to please bring & use your own pen for signing all. If you know you have a coronovirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronovirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised, have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, are under an imposed or advised quarantine, and/or are visiting from a state that requires you to quarantine upon entering NY for a designated amount of time before going out in public, please do NOT attend any services nor come to the church nor cemetery. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or speak to us from a safe distance at the services. Please follow & abide by the directions of any/all the church workers and/or the funeral home staff/personnel at all times, for the health & safety of All, Thank you!
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OBITUARY
Roeata Monica Latty was born on October 15. 1938 in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. She was the 11th of 12 children born to Clifford Simmonds and Isoline Wilson Simmonds. She was married to Richard Latty. She had four children and eight grand-children. She was educated through the public-school system in Jamaica, W.I. and graduated secondary school. She migrated to the United States in September 1993.
Roeata was a seamstress by profession, and enjoyed sewing clothes for her children, family, and many others. Although she no longer did this as a profession, she would still jump on her machine to do alterations for her family, friends and herself. Roeata was also a go-getter, if she put her mind to do something she would work very hard to accomplish it. During Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, when most people in Jamaica lost their power and endured utter devastation, she saw the opportunity to go into town and buy bread at wholesale prices which she sold and sometimes gave to those in her community who were most gravely impacted. Her entrepreneurial skills started then, and she began buying and selling other food items to help her earn an honest living.
She loved to cook and so she was always cooking up a storm in the kitchen with her different food, juices and pastries. Her food were always “finger-licking good” as she would have you licking your fingers after every meal. She also enjoyed mixing healthy concoctions using different herbs, fruits and vegetables.
When Roeata migrated to the United States she worked as a home health care aide. She was a well-respected caregiver. She has been described as a very professional, trustworthy, flexible/adaptive, proficient and compassionate worker who focused on the wellbeing of those she cared for. The companies she worked for, as well as family members of those she cared for, were very pleased with her compassion. Her philosophy was to give the individuals the best care possible.
In 2013 she contracted sarcoidosis of the eye and stopped working shortly thereafter. This was very devastating to her, but she kept a positive spirit.
Roeata loved the Lord and attended church regularly, read her Bible and prayed every day. She enjoyed watching gospel program/channels to help enhance her knowledge of God’s words. You could find notes she made from watching those stations all over her room on any bits and pieces of paper. She was a very industrious, determined, committed person who thought more about others than herself and always saw the good in people. She was also a loving, caring, nurturing, no-nonsense person. She never had a harsh word about anyone, but had a sharp tongue and a great sense of humor
Her motto was, with God all things are possible, and she strongly believed this. Her favorite Psalm was 91. She could recite it word for word but as time went by dementia took a toll on her mind. She would read it as often as she could or have someone read it for her, with some verses coming to memory as she heard it read.
Roeata left Cylinthia Williamson (Albert), sister; Joyce Simmonds, sister-in-law; Richard Latty (Rosemarie), Valencia Latty, Patrick Minott and Kevin Minott (children); Tesfa, Tewado and Tsahi Latty, Patrick Minott, Jr., Robert Wynter, Kerryann, Kemar and Kayann Minott (grandchildren), nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends to find solace from memories of time spent with her.
Roeata says “Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard His call, I turned my back and left it all.”
---Unknown
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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the Latty Family entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of Roeata Monica Latty during their time of bereavement.
Please leave written and/or video condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not.
The family requests NO flowers. In LIEU of flowers, a contribution may be made in her name/memory/honor to Alzheimer's Foundation of America in New York, NY (also through donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page). If flowers are sent despite the family's request, they may be delivered either preferably on Monday July 27th, 2020 by/before 6:00pm to Lee's Funeral Home, or Tues. July 28th by/before 9:30am, latest, to Mt. Hope AME Zion Church. The Family Thanks You!