Letora Agatha Barrett Derizzio

for the Life of

Letora Agatha Coke Barrett Hyman Derizzio

Sunrise Sunset

June 29, 1950 July 10, 2020

~~~~~~~ Obituary ~~~~~~~

Child number 4 arrives. It's a girl! The date was June 29, 1950. Excitement filled the air as her parents, Winston and Melvoina Coke, were overjoyed. "What shall we name her?" "Magdalene"-- her father exclaimed. "Not a long Bible name", her mother said. "Call her mice", a relative echoed. "What? Why?" "Because she's so small". "Her name will be Letora Agatha", her mother said firmly. "So.. well... we use Magdalene and mice as her everyday names then," said her father. As she grew up she answered to the name "Maggielin" as pronounced by the community folks and "Mice" as well. She, however, hated the name Mice and as she got older she detested anyone who would refer to her as such.

Six years after birth she made her grand entrance into the New Roads All Age School in Westmoreland, Jamaica where she completed all the courses required until the time came for her to out-school-- as they referred to school leaving then. She joined the family in farming and straw-weaving until she decided to find more lucrative employment that would bring her steadier weekly pay. She headed to Montego Bay and roomed with a cousin who was bent on showing her the wrong side of the city to which she had not agreed. They parted ways and she returned home for a season-- then moved off to Kingston where she found employment, fell in love, and got married to Mr. Claudius Barrett. The union brought forth one child.

She pursued practical nursing, graduated and worked as a nursing assistant for awhile but was determined to operate a business of her own. With this mindset, she founded and operated the 'Crescent Preschool' near her home in St. Catherine. The school prospered as she had hoped but after a few years she was bitten by the migration bug and went off to the island of Grand Cayman. Through that venture she entered the USA where she faced and overcame many challenges. She became a member of the New Testament Church of God in Miami Gardens where she worked rigorously alongside Pastor Campbell. She later founded the Lighthouse Holiness Church of God, which started in the basement of her home. It quickly grew and she ran out of space so she moved to an area in North Miami where she again faced much opposition but would not succumb to those who opposed her-- thanks to the faithful members who stood by her. At this juncture her first husband predeceased her.

As the church grew, she pursued her calling and a beautiful piece of real estate caught her eye in Miramar. It contained a multi-purpose hall, preschool building, sanctuary and more. It was purchased and renovated and proved to be a more comfortable place of worship where vibrant old-time pentacostal services were held each week. Again, her life was interrupted as her second husband, Kenneth Hyman, predeceased her.

Being a passionate, powerful, prophetic and dynamic preacher of the gospel, she reached out to the South Florida community through a weekly broadcast on WAVS Radio, and WLRN Television both of which were successful. She was a philanthropist who gave back to her country through the Have a Heart Feeding Program, which was an outreach program. Along with the Consulate General of Jamaica Miami Consulate, they affected the lives of many with clothing, food, school and medical supplies not only during missionary trips, but during times of disaster.

Realizing that she must be equipped to lead and teach the Word of God, she attended seminars, special Bible classes and workshops. Still having a zeal to learn more and to have some letters attached to her name, she enrolled in the prestigious Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and pursued her degree in theology and graduated in 2001. It was a year of significant accomplishment as she celebrated her graduation and U.S. citizenship in the same year.

She was smitten by the love bug when she heard recording Artist, Lloyd “Clement” Derizzio” sing the song “Jehovah” and on April 20th 2002 they were united in holy matrimony. Together they worked in the church and radio ministry, which he still produces. Her first and only album entitled “Survivor” was a project of love that they shared.

After being lead by the Holy Spirit the ministry transitioned out of the observation of Sunday as the day of worship and into the observation of the Sabbath. From this the Lighthouse Rehobath Sabbath Church was born. It was a pivotal time in the ministry and with the assistance of Pastor Oliphant of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and with cooperation of some of the church members, the transition was accomplished. She authored two books: Foundations of Truth, The Sure Foundations of Jeshua, and a third book in the making all of which will continue to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ to the souls of the lost.

In 2006, at the height of her ministry she sustained triple aneurysms that slowed her greatly but she persisted though it was an uphill struggle. With her pen and her small flip phone, as well as, the support of the members of the church, she conducted business as usual, moving full steam ahead. Sadly on Friday, July 10th 2020 she took her final step from this life to the next. She is survived by her husband, Lloyd Derizzio-- daughter, Lois Barrett-- her pride and joy, four sisters: Lenora, Eunice Hessing, Eroline Leslie, Juney Walker , three brothers: Asmond Coke, David Coke, Igol Coke, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church members, friends, acquaintances and much more. "Life at its best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf." Letora fulfilled her purpose in life as she touched the lives of thousands and brought them to Jesus Christ. May the soul of Pastor Letora Barrett Derizzio rest in peace..

~~~~~~~Acknowledgements~~~~~~~

On behalf of the Barrett- Derizzio Family, we extend our thanks and gratitude to Memorial Regional Hospital doctors and the entire medical staff who were with Letora during her final days. Dr. Emilio Pando, her primary care physician. Dorn and Brian Scully who helped in the process of the programs and service. W.A.V.S and Bro L. Levy for on air tributes. Gwen West for video productions Shaina Forbes for digital publications. All the pastors members and well wishers, visitations, calls, support and prayers in the difficult time of the loss of our mother.

Special thank you to Caballero Rivero Southern Funeral Home and Cemetery