Melida Teresa Hibbert was the eldest daughter of Vernon Rockett and Beatrice Harker born on August 16, 1943 in Colon, Republic of Panama. She entered eternal rest on February 1, 2021. Melida and her siblings, Vernon (d), Ernesto (d), Carlos (d), Martha (Lucia), Elsa, and Esteban grew up on 6th street in a small, close knit community. As a child, Melida attended Paraguay School. After the death of her mother in 1954, Melida, along with older brother, Vernon, helped to care for their younger brothers and sisters. During this time, her aunt and fraternal twin to her mother, Louisa Harker (Loney), would become their mother figure for the remainder of their lives. While times were difficult, Melida and siblings forged a deep bond that extended to their immediate cousins (Enrique, Yvonne, Thelma, Eric, Judy, and Bobby (d)). Led by their matriarch, Tia Lou, the family would take care of each other throughout their journey in life.
In high school, she attended Colegio Abel Bravo where she enjoyed playing cymbals in the marching band. From when she was young, Melida always liked to dress up and look her best. It was that look that caught the eye of a young teenaged-boy, George Hibbert, while attending Sunday School at Christ Church by the Sea. George and Melida dated while in high school. In 1964, Melida had the opportunity to come to the United States. Her brother, Vernon, sponsored her VISA and thus began a new life in Brooklyn, NYC. In those days, newly immigrated residents would build community, support each other, and look for opportunities to help other family members back in Panama. Melida enrolled in business school and began working at the American Cancer Society. Though Melida was building a life in the US, she missed George and longed to be together. After he completed his apprenticeship program, George and Melida married on August 3, 1968 in Panama. After the wedding, the couple returned to the United States to begin their life together.
Life in Brooklyn was grand. Family gatherings and outings with extended family were the highlights of her time. Melida worked at Wescar Freight Systems starting as a data entry clerk and rising to the Assistant Credit Manager. After the birth of their two children, Lawrence (1972) and Taifa (1977), George and Melida decided to move their family to Plainfield, NJ and raise their children down the street from family members (The Rocketts and Watsons) that had moved to the area years earlier. It was in NJ that they added lifelong friends to their village. It was typical to see kids in the neighborhood running in and out of homes, raiding refrigerators and cabinets, and playing in the backyard and on the street. Melida was quick to serve lunch and care for all the kids in the neighborhood. Affectionately known at Tia or Auntie Mel, her love knew no boundaries and was firmly rooted in her love for the Lord. She and George raised their kids in the Church and taught them to worship God. Melida was active in her children's endeavors, while commuting for work back and forth to NYC and Brooklyn for 15 years. In 1992, Melida would transition to working in NJ at The Hospital Center at Orange, Essex Valley Visiting Nurses Association, and JFK Hospital. Those jobs epitomized Melida's character for helping and serving others. She led teams in providing charity care for those in need of medical assistance without the means to pay for it. To her staff, she was a demanding but loving supervisor who believed in treating people the right way and being accountable for your work. With her every present sense of style, Melida loved family gatherings and holidays, events, and mentoring young ladies in her life. She also was an amazing cook and enjoyed attending Bible Study and Weight Watchers.
After remaining in Plainfield for 27 years, George and Melida retired to Dallas, Georgia and began a new life near the Rocketts and the Watsons that had retired there years earlier. In the greater Atlanta area, she built new friends and participated in ministry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She enjoyed a season of
attending shows, events, and some travel while actively participating in the lives of her bonus grandchildren (William and Noah) in Georgia. Melida and George would frequently visit the Northeast to spend time with her grandchildren (Caleb, Joshua, Kadence, and Nadia). In 2014, Melida was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her husband, George, children, and family members supported her needs and showing her a portion of the love that she gave to so many people. During that season, she was loved and cared for by her husband and then eventually by caregivers at Cadence Marietta and Manor Lake Memory Care Center. While her body declined, her spirit never did. She loved her children immensely and was proud that her legacy will live on in them. Powered by the Lord and the Holy Spirit, she bravely and courageously fought this disease to the end while maintaining the grace, kindness, and love that embodied her life.
Melida leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, George, of 53 years; her son, Lawrence Hibbert (Patrell); her daughter Taifa Simpson (Brent); her grandchildren, Caleb, Joshua, Kadence, and Nadia; her sisters, Martha Shoy (Oliver), Elsa McKenzie (Roberto); her brother, Esteban Alejandro Rockett; her sisters-in-law, Flora Lowe-Rocket (Vernon-d), Aurelia Collins (Armando-d); her brother-in-law, Guillermo Hibbert (Verna); her cousins, Enrique Loney (Delia), Yvonne Duncan-Rosheck, Thelma Vigil (Loucho), Eric Fowler, Judy Watson (Kenneth); sisters-in-love, Dora Heath-Watson; niece, Veronica Wilkinson (William), and other countless nieces, nephews, friends, and caregivers.
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