Sheila Paul, born Melila Tador, was born June 24, 1933 in Saint Louis du Nord, Haiti to parents Merite Fleurissaint and Dorvilus Tador. The youngest of eight children: Verne, Merina, Sienterest, Isnara, Rosilia, Mercilie and Cledanor; Sheila’s (known affectionately as Ma’am) personality was always larger than life. On November 17, 2020 this bright star passed away with her family lovingly at her bedside in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
“When one asks, who can know the ocean? Sheila Paul’s personality was as gigantic as her ability to help others and her fear of the Lord. She was steady and constant. What she created has had a lasting impression because her effect was just that BIG!”
During her life, there were three things that were certain. She loved God, her family and serving others particularly through food. Her boldness, the way she spoke with authority, made things come alive and into existence. This was very apparent when she shared with others her connection with the Lord. Her 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year willingness to share His goodness with whomever, whenever, and wherever was undoubtedly the secret to her influence. As a faithful member of both the Usher and Deaconess teams for over 40 years, she came to personally know hundreds of church members on a deeper level and ministered to their needs through service and prayer. It was not uncommon for her to feed 50 people a week out of her personal kitchen without the expectation of anything in return.
“She exuded her spirituality in everything she did. She was grounded in her faith. The way she carried herself everyone knew she was a child of God and they gravitated to her wanting to know more about the connection she had. “
“Even when times were hard, she preferred to share all that she had. When she had anything she was able to give it freely away. She didn’t keep anything for herself and God continued to bless her.”
“I think of her as the Harriett Tubman of the Haitian community. She made a way when there wasn’t a way. She was always one step ahead.”
“She was a visionary and a trendsetter. She laid the path for all of us. No one used to do that type of stuff back then!”
As a pioneer, she provided a vital service, which allowed for the growth of the Haitian community, who were not readily served by the community at large and empowered others to do the same. She recognized the need to build a network of individuals who supported and challenged the societal norms of the time that members of the Haitian community, particularly a Haitian, black female could be a force to be reckoned with. Moreover, as the owner of her own home, she ventured into real estate rentals and land acquisition in the 1980s further solidifying her deep-rooted mark in the community.
“Dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion of a ‘VIRTUOUS WOMAN’ for her price is far above rubies.” Prov 31:10-31. She’s like the merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar…. Who can know Ma’am? A woman that feareth the Lord; She shall rejoice in time to come. Give her of the fruit of her hands. Let her own works praise her in the gates. That’s the VIRTUOUS WOMAN we all have come to know and cherish. I thank her for giving me the buoyancy of hope!!!
The significance of family was paramount to Sheila. She was married to Alberto Michael Joseph (deceased). She was ultimately the proud mother of two sons and 5 daughters: Alberta, Duval, Rosianne, Ilinda, Ancelot (AJ), Bernadette, and Carole. She sacrificed for many years to ensure that her children would be well taken care of. Having faced many challenges as an immigrant to the US, she knew the value of an education - to “be someone” as she would wisely say. All of her children and those in the community were encouraged to learn as much as possible to be examples in the Haitian community that great things could be accomplished. She would not take any excuses as to why they could not. She would often financially contribute to other’s families to ensure they had an education and provide food as well for those studying. Her children and grandchildren have attended and/or hold undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees from: Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, University of Florida, Loma Linda University, University of Phoenix, Lehigh University, Thomas Edison State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, New York University, Alabama State University, Stanford University, University of Central Florida, Nova Southeastern University and also have proudly served in the United States Air Force and Navy.
Although she only had 7 biological children, she was the adopted mother to hundreds of children whom she affectionately called her own. They all called her “Mommy.” There was not one birthday, baby dedication, pregnancy, sick and shut in, wedding, or funeral that she didn’t always know exactly what to send, say or simply how to just be present when they needed her.
“She was better than a mother to me. She was everything to everyone. She knew how to develop intimate relationships with everyone where you felt like you were the only one.”
Today we celebrate the life of a visionary, humanitarian and soldier for Christ.
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