In Loving Memory


ELVIRA LAURENCINA MEYERS
1900-1988

MEMORIAL MORAVIAN CHURCH
Viewing ... 9:00 a.m.
Service... 10:00 a.m.
Interment at Eastern Moravian Cemetery

Friday, December 30, 1988


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ELVIRA LAURENCINA MEYERS
June 14, 1900 December 24, 1988

On June 14, 1900, Elvira Laurencina Matthias was bom to Amelia
(nee Roberts) and James Matthias in St. John, Virgin Islands. Her mother
died when she was three years old. Reverend Edward B. Foster, the pastor
of Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay, and his wife, raised Vera, or
"Miss Vera," as she was affectionately known, at the Emmaus Manse, until
she was eleven years old. Once she learned to read, she had to read select-
ed verses of the Bible daily for Reverend and Mrs. Foster before going to
school or doing her daily chores.
In 1911, the Fosters were transferred to Antigua, B.V.I. Mrs. Foster
loved Vera so much that she wanted to take her to Antigua to complete
her elementary education and attend the Teachers Training College on that
island. However, Vera did not want to be so far away from her father;
moreover, she wanted to become a seamstress, not a teacher. Mrs. Foster
therefore arranged for her to live in St. Thomas with one of Vera's aunts in
order that she could serve as an apprentice to a seamstress. She also
attended the Abraham Lincoln School, now known as the J. Antonio
Jarvis Elementary School. After she completed her training as a seamstress
Vera returned to St. John.
On November 29, 1922, Vera and Alexander Meyers were united in
holy matrimony at the Emmaus Moravian Church. They moved to St.
Thomas where she bore him a daughter and four sons. Her husband,
her daughter, Amelia Adams, and one son, Aubrey, Sr., predeceased her.
Vera was a very respectable, loving and supportive mother and a
faithful wife. She was always at home for her children and husband.
She instilled in her children a sense of pride, responsibility, independence,
and respect for their elders. She never accepted mediocrity from them.
She was also deeply religious and instilled religious principles in her
children. She encouraged them to read the Bible daily as she had been






taught and she often quoted.the Bible, if possible, when disciplining them.
"A Mother's Message for Her Children," by Helen Steiner Rice, embodies
the Godly trust she conveyed almost daily to her children, grandchildren,
and others who lived with her.
Vera's love for children went beyond the love she had for her own.
Being the oldest girl in the family, she helped raise her brothers and
S sisters. All of them at one time or other lived with their "Sister" and
"Uncle Allick." She also helped raise some of her nieces, nephews, grand-
children, and some of her friends' children. Her house was always filled
with children. As she grew older she expressed the warmth and vitality
that came with having children around her.
She was a loyal member of the Memorial Moravian Church where she
S was active in the Women's Bright Hour, and, subsequently, the Women's
Fellowship. Before the church had a full-time sexton, Vera was among
the members who cleaned the church on Saturdays. She sometimes took
her children to assist.
For the past two years, she made it known to her children and rela-
tives that she was weary and ready to meet her Maker. Softly and tenderly
He called her home on Christmas Eve.
May she find eternal rest and peace.









IN TRIBUTE...
TO MOTHER
Thanks for your patience, understanding and everlasting love. You
have left us with nothing but fond memories. You had a strong faith
and you passed it on to us. You lived a Christian life and we learned a lot
by emulating your ways. You were strong in order that we could be
strong. You showed love so that we, too, could show love. You have
touched so many lives, too many for you to know. We love you and will
miss you dearly.
Love,
your children and grandchildren

*.






ORDER OF SERVICE

ORGAN PRELUDE
HYMN... Rock ofAges
LITURGY... Pgs. 87-89
1st SCRIPTURE READING
Psalm 27
HYMN ... All the Way My Saviour Leads Me
2nd SCRIPTURE READING
ICor. 15:12-22
HYMN... When Peace Like a River
MEDITATION
PRAYERS... Pgs. 89-92
CLOSING HYMN... The Strife Is O'er
BENEDICTION

HYMNS AT THE GRAVESIDE
To God Be the Glory / 0 Beulah Land ,






SURVIVORS

SONS
Elmo, Ira and Judge Ishnael A. Meyers

SISTERS
Nana Evadney Mulcare and Blanche Oliveri

BROTHERS
James and George Matthias

AUNT
Margaret Jackson

DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW
Mazelle, Gwendolyn and Olga Meyers

~SON-IN-LAW
Alphonse Adams

BROTHER-IN-LAW
Herman Meyers

18 Grandchildren, 15 Great-Grandchildren

PALLBEARERS
Kelvin Adams / Glenn Meyers / Ishmael Meyers, Jr.
John Meyers / Wayne Meyers / K. Leba Ola.Niyi

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Alphonse Adams/ Aubrey Anthony / Ronald Joseph
Hcnrique Matthias / Ramon Matthias / Neville Thomas





A ARRANGEMENTS BY CREQUB'S FUNERAL HOME, INC.
P.O. Box 11847, St. Thomas, V.I. 00801 / 776-1187

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