CYCLE CHAMPION BEYONCE ROSS GONE TOO SOON

Jun 24, 2018 Editorial, Features / Columnists

On Wednesday June 20, the Ancient County of Berbice wept and the nation mourned as the four-time gold medalist and national cycle champion, Beyonce Dunella Ross, was laid to rest at the Rose Hall Town cemetery on the Corentyne.
Hundreds of mourners crowded the Area “H” Ground tarmac. Some wept openly as they paid their final respects to their fallen star. As the service commenced, there were chants of “Gone too soon” from her schoolmates and friends.
Beyonce Ross was only 15 years old and was in the spring of her life when tragedy struck. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and succumbed to her illness at the Georgetown Public Hospital shortly after.
Beyonce was innocent, smart, talented and beautiful. She was blessed with an infectious smile that captivated those who came into contact with her. A bright prospect at such a young age, her potential was boundless.
The cycling champion did not have to die so young; she had her full life ahead of her, but as a wise person once said, “Man makes plans, but God decides.” Residents of the ancient county are in pain as they try to rationalize the death of their fallen hero who had so much to live for.
Her sickness and her death lit up every newspaper in the country and the social media. It should not have happened. Beyonce Ross was a shining star and her death has left many in the community and the country searching for answers.
No one could ever dream of what this brilliant and gifted young woman would have achieved in life. What would have been her profession? What role she would have played in society? Could anything have been done to save this sweet, innocent child’s life?
Could more have been done by society or the authorities to help her? Alas! It was not meant to be. Her death is a stark reminder of how fragile life is.
Many blurred out: “It is not right for her to be taken away from us.” Her death has restored their faith in the biblical phrase which says they will meet again in heaven, but the real chance of their healing and grief may never end. Whenever someone, especially a young person, like Beyonce with the ability and potential of becoming a super athlete dies, the nation weeps. The after effects are real and extremely painful for relatives and friends because death is seen not only as the loss of a single precious life, but also by its awful and devastating impact on families, friends and society.
Amidst the solemn and tearful funeral service, it was announced that a foundation would be established in memory of the champion cyclist. A cycle race will be held in her memory and honor.
Ross’s body was laid in a casket flanked by her teammates attired in tracksuits, and with her parents, siblings and relatives seated nearby, tributes poured in from her classmates of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School, her teachers, relatives and friends.
Her family was comforted by several members of the current administration, notably the Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton; Director of Sport, Christopher Jones; Sports Coordinator of Region Six, Godwyn Allicock; Mayor of New Amsterdam, Winifred Haywood; Mayor of Rose Hall, Vijay Ramoo; Member of Parliament, John Adams and the Guyana Teacher’s Union President, Mark Lyte, among others.
We at Kaieteur News express our condolences to her family and may she rest in peace.

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