Senior citizen Ms Florence P. Brewley displays her piece of handicraft she made in honour of the late H. Lavity Stoutt and laid it at the ceremony. Photo: VINO

The trio from the H. Lavity Stoutt Memorial who did a rendition at the ceremony. Photo: VINO

From left to right:- Mr Preston P. Stoutt, Hon. Andrew A. Fahie and Premier Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO

Among those at the wreath laying ceremony on Monday March 4, 2013 at the burial site of the late H. Lavity Stoutt was a long and dear friend of the late former Chief Minister, Virgin Islands United Kingdom (UK) representative for the period 1993 – 2004 Mr Stephen Dickinson and his wife Mrs Mary E. Dickenson. Photo: VINO

It was the place of burial for the late stalwart leader, who died on the May 14, 1995. Family members, including the last son of six children of Mr Stoutt, Mr Preston P. Stoutt; Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith; Territorial At Large Representative Hon. Archibald C. Christian; Second District Representative Honourable Andrew A. Fahie; other relatives of Mr Stoutt, friends and community members all were committed to paying respect to the man they dubbed as a leader who devoted his life to serving the people of the Virgin Islands.

The ceremony was void of the speeches but were dominated by solemn moments of greetings among those who had gathered to perform and observe the laying of the wreaths. Among them was a long and dear friend of the late H. Lavity Stoutt, Virgin Islands United Kingdom (UK) representative for the period 1993 – 2004 Mr Stephen Dickinson and his wife Mrs Mary E. Dickenson.

Mr Dickenson told Virgin Islands News Online that the late Mr Stoutt was a dear friend of his and that they shared many memorable moments. He said he is a belonger and is very often home in the Virgin Islands but made it a special moment to be around for the observances of his friend's birth anniversary and contribution to the Virgin Islands.

The ceremony was chaired by Sister Brenda Smith who opened the programme with a prayer then the singing of the song Heaven’s Jubilee. Prior to the start of the programme, as they awaited the arrival of the Premier and the First District Representative, senior citizen Ms. Florence P. Brewley, who said she worked for Mr Stoutt, led the gathering in a moment of singing of religious songs, which included those she said were the favourite of the late Mr Stoutt.

Hon. Smith laid the first wreath, followed by Hon. Fahie on behalf of the leader of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal and then on his own behalf. The junior Mr Stoutt laid on behalf of the family and Mrs Brewley laid a piece of handicraft, which she said she made and was used to doing for her former employer when he was alive.

A trio from the H. Lavity Stoutt Memorial did a rendition and this was followed by the Benediction, which brought the curtain down on the ceremony.