Patrice laid to rest in moving ceremony

On Sunday, September 17 the body of Patrice Leslie-Anne Bascombe was laid to rest in a funeral ceremony that could only be described as a celebration of her life.

The bittersweet day was filled with dancing and joyous singing of choruses, under the tent of the Diamond Deliverance Assembly where hundreds came to pay their last respect to the songster.{{more}}

Reflecting on her life in the Eulogy, Ashley John outlined some of Patrice’s many outstanding achievements and described her as a person who was “humble, had an holistic approach to life, of a strong character but had the simplicity as a child of God.”

John however revealed that in the last conversation he had with Patrice, she may have had an uncanny sense that her life was going to be cut short.

He recounted the discourse in which she said, “Ashley, I feel like something is about to happen to me that I can’t explain. It’s like I’m getting this new life and God is telling me to get closer to him and to focus on him only.”

John said that after confiding in him, Patrice began fasting and praying and began to worship more.

Meanwhile, Pastor Joseph who delivered the sermon assured the gathering that Patrice’s death was not an act of the devil as some people were claiming.

The Trinidadian Pastor however pointed out that the devil has no power to kill but that it was God who took Patrice away because it was her time to go.

He referred to life as a cricket match where some score different numbers at the end of their life and others are still batting.

The man of the cloth said that Patrice’s death was a reminder that one should never take life for granted and should use all of their talents. He also called on the congregation, especially the youth to follow Patrice’s example and to prepare their spiritual life for eternity.

The preacher also chastised people for thinking that the driver of the vehicle in which Patrice had the accident had caused her death.

A touching tribute in song was done by her brother Leslie, the top 10 finalists of the Digicel Rising Star competition, students of the schools Patrice attended and Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste who rendered a note from the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

At the end of the funeral an altar call was made and some 20 persons gave their life to Jesus.

Patrice’s father Recardo Bascombe announced that he would be raising $5 million to purchase the land at Diamond where his church is located, to establish a Gospel City in which the Patrice Bascombe Performing Arts Centre would be located.