The body of 17-year-old Precious Williams of Walvaroo was laid to rest in the Kingstown cemetery, after a funeral service on Sunday, May 29 at the New Testament Church at Wilson Hill.

Luke Browne

It was a sombre gathering at the graveside where many stood trying hard to hold their emotions in check as the small, white coffin with pink trimmings, was lowered into the grave.

Before her interment, there were calls for action to be taken to combat crime, with Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Dr Godwin Friday calling for “a national conversation on crime.”

Friday congratulated the police investigators for their efforts thus far, and reminded the congregation that the responsibility to fight crime is that of the community, and not just the police.

This position was endorsed by former government minister, Luke Browne who said that: “The responsibility for fighting crime is not only in the hands of the police and legislators, it requires a determined coalition of all institutions and citizens. In our own individual and collective capacities, we must apply our best efforts to the task of building a violence-free society”.

Browne who has said that he is a friend of the family, delivered the eulogy at Sunday’s funeral.

“Precious should have been doing CXC subjects right now as a student of the West St. George Secondary School; instead, she is being buried,” Browne lamented.

“In light of the circumstances in which Precious died, we have also turned out today to send a strong and unequivocal message against violence against women and girls in our society. We have zero-tolerance for it and we are determined to stamp it out,” he said.

family and friends of Precious Williams carry the coffin bearing her body to the graveside.

“We commit ourselves to the task of making St. Vincent and the Grenadines a better place. This country must be a safe haven for our sisters and indeed for all Vincentians.”

The former politician said that, “The name Precious is connected with some of the most important and profound passages of scripture. For instance, Psalm 116:15 says ‘Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints’.”

Browne welcomed the commitment of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force to do everything in their power to bring Precious’ killer/s to justice.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the police for the work they did to secure a positive identification of the body,” he added.

“…We must promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. We must be our brother’s keeper. What we must now do is put violence against women and girls to rest in a coffin. We must bury it,” Browne said.

Precious Williams

Darlon “Jillian” Shallow, also known as ‘Ras’ adopted Precious at the time of her birth on January 10, 2005. She took her out of the hospital, named her, and assumed and maintained full responsibility for her care and upbringing over the course of her life. Ras has two other children of her own ;John-John Williams and Keon Williams. Precious’ biological mother is deceased.

Ras was said to be a responsible and protective parent who used to accompany her daughter to school every day until Precious reached Grade 4, or thereabouts. Additionally, Ras is said to have had a good relationship with the school and took a keen interest in her daughter’s education.

Precious attended the Sion Hill Government School, and was described as a quiet person, nicknamed “P” at school and in the community.

“Precious had a flawless record at the school. She was a well-behaved, respectful and gracious little child,” head teacher of the Sion Hill Government School, Verona Richards said at the funeral service.

Dr Godwin Friday

“Precious was a real fighter. She may not have been the brightest student but she wanted to be there, worked hard and always did her best.”

And, her house teacher at the West St. George Secondary School, Shanique Bailey also attested to the fighting spirit which Precious possessed noting that this was proven from her record at the school and it was a consistent element of her personality.

“Precious was not necessarily the fastest runner, however, she was a willing runner. She had a determined and fighting spirit. She participated in many events and did her best to bring home standard points for her house.”

The decomposing body of Precious Williams was found on May 12 stuffed in a blue bag that was discarded in a bushed area of Murray’s Village.

To date no one has been arrested and charged for the crime.

Students of the West St George Secondary School, of which Precious was a past student, were in attendance at the funeral service.