Prayers

From his mother, Nekeema Sydnor Romo

Dear Lord, my arms are empty longing for this child. I see my child everywhere in my mind, and I don’t know how to live anymore. I’m so angry about losing this child, who had so much life ahead of him. Hold me in this process of grieving and replace my pain with joy again. Teach me how to cherish our memories without feeling overwhelmed with grief. I need you to redeem this loss and show your almighty to heal. I believe you are the Way, Truth, and Life. In Jesus name Amen.

From his sister, Tianna Jewel

“Dear Loving Father, the presence of my brother in my life was a gift to me. Thank you for his life, his heart, and soul. Thanks for giving me someone who looked out for me and cared for me. Even the rivalry between us was a blessing to me. Thank you for what I learned from my brother’s life and love. So now I ask you lord, Bless my brother with the abundance of your love and mercy. Cover him with your grace; let him feel your tenderness. Touch his soul and let him know your mercy; set his spirit free. I present to you, Oh lord, my love for my brother. Open up the Heavens to him. Bring him great peace and joy. Thank you for my brother, dear lord. Thank you for his life and love, all in the name of the lord Jesus Christ, Amen. “

From his fiancé, Ashley Smith

“You were ripped away from me, and I feel as if a part of me has been ripped away too so, I will carry in me your hopes and dreams; I will carry with me your smile and laughter inside my soul; I will keep my love for you inside my soul; I will always remember your love for me. I will patiently await the moment when we will meet again in the next life so, until then, I will learn to live without you, never forgotten, always loved.”

Don was born on March 9th, 1993, in Valley Stream, New York. He spent most of his younger years in Port Washington, NY, where he was surrounded by family and friends. It actually took a village to raise him. He relocated to Virginia with his mother, sister & Aunt Tanya Prince Armstrong. Don became very popular in Virginia in a short amount of time. Although he was not born in VA, he grew up here and was raised in 3 ½ Street Park. The neighborhood at 3 ½ street park wasn’t an ordinary neighborhood. It was a mixture of big families, blended families, single parents, and the older generation. All the moms had a role in raising Don. They shared it all. Baseball, basketball games, & football games, started from the time the sun came up till the sun went down. He had so many siblings the list could go on and on.  Don had a great relationship with his Pops, Oscar, who came into his life when Don was ten. He taught Don so much and never fell short. Don was so happy when family moved to Mexico. He really embraced the culture and enjoyed his time living there. Don always spoke about returning. In his recent adult life, he had many friends that were considered family to him. He knew how to have a good time and was always the life of the party. I’m sure everyone has a special story or fun time with Don they can think of. Don was able to settle down, found love & built a home. Dante as an adult, was the type of person to always show up and check up on the people he loved. He will always be remembered for that. He was always the one person you could call, and he always showed up, and just like that, you felt protected. Don never showed his worries; he could have been going through anything, but he always put you and what you were going through first. Don had an infectious personality. He could make you smile in ½ a second and made you kind of forget what you were going through. He never failed to show up, never failed to make you laugh, & never failed to be anything but supportive. He will be missed so much. 

Welcoming Dante home with open arms, Francine A. Benson (Grandmother), L.C Benson (Grandfather), Tio Jose Romo (Uncle), Flor Amiracle Romo (sister), Sharla K. Sydnor (Cousin), Terrance D. Sydnor (Cousin), Melissa L. Hoffman Belle (Godmother)

Dante is survived by Nekeema Sydnor Romo (mother), Jose Oscar Romo (pops/father), Tianna Jewel (sister), Dallas Sydnor-Gibson (sister -in-law), Ashleigh White (Sister), Kaylyn Edwards (Sister) (Allen), Tanya Smith (sister), Ashley Parrish (sister), Omar Romo (brother), Oscar Romo (brother), Damian Tyler (Brother), Youself Farmer (brother), Gary Vaughn (brother), Tanya Sydnor (Aunt), Marcella Sydnor (aunt), Marsha Sydnor (aunt), Sonya Sydnor (aunt), Jennifer Timmons (Aunt), Mason E. Sydnor (nephew), Lillianna M. Pretto (Niece), Iyannah E. Dunbar (niece), Julianna R. Dunbar (niece), Alylana Burgess (niece), Kingston (nephew), Robert (Nephew), Joseph D. Camp (Nephew), Jacob D. Camp (nephew) Ashley Smith (Fiancé), Mark Smith (father-in-law), Teresa Smith (mother-in-law), Danielle Smith (Sister-in-law) & Many Many Many more.

“Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow.  I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die. “

“I am still here Just because you cannot see me,

Does not mean I am not there.

Just because I am in Heaven,

Does not mean I do not care.

 I often see you crying;

 You often call my name.

 I want to hold you tight;

 I want to ease your pain.

It’s easy for me,  

for I know heaven is real.

If you knew the truth,

How much better you can feel.

One day we will meet again,

But only when the time is right.

When you step out of the darkness,

I will be standing in the light.”