Kim Grace Burgess-Trott

A Tribute to My Beloved Aunt

I remember her first year at college vividly. We were living in St. Davids, and the day she left, I knew that we shared a special bond because I found myself crying, knowing that I would miss her dearly. From that moment, I realized just how much she meant to me. My aunt possessed a unique understanding of me as a person and as her nephew. She always held a special place in my heart, and the memories we created together are some of the dearest to me. Her presence was marked by a different and loving spirit that made her so easy to get along with. She had this remarkable ability to make everyone feel cherished and understood. As I grew older, I came to truly appreciate the choices she made in her life. Her decision to relocate to the US wasn't just a move; it was a profound step towards bettering her and her family's lives. I admired her courage and determination, and she became a beacon of inspiration for me. Her journey showed me the importance of striving for betterment and the power of making bold choices to achieve one's dreams. My aunt's life and actions have left an indelible mark on me. Her dedication to improving her circumstances and those of her loved ones has always motivated me to aim higher and do better in my own life. She wasn't just an aunt; she was a mentor, a role model, and a source of endless love and support. Her spirit continues to guide me, and I am forever grateful for the special bond we shared. Love your nephew Bilal ♥

Rhyanne Carrington 75w

I am an Adventist Educator because she was my Cheerleader!

It is because of the mentorship of Mrs. Trott that I am the educator I am today. Mrs. Trott entered my life during my Sr. year at Oakwood University. I was just and education major student who had every intention on teaching in public school that was until I did one of my student internships under Mrs. Trott. For six weeks I watched her, witnessed her love, compassion, grace, rigor program, and strive for excellence from each of her 5th graders at that time. She taught me you can be tough and demand excellence while being loving and supportive of your students. She was always their cheerleader! We would have deep conversations about education but one day really stands out one of her students had just lost a pet and was very emotional; Mrs. Trott sat with the student, hugging them and prayed with them. Later we talked about that and I told her the task on the day list was long and our time was short but that was the need and she met that for that child; and she said to me in public school you couldn’t openly do that! I made up in my mind then I was teaching in an Adventist school no matter what! I thought after I would do my student teaching our time would be done together and that was that! But if you know Mrs. Trott that was never the case she became my cheerleader too; she would call and check on me and see how my first year of teaching was going after graduation! We stayed in contact over the years and she would be one of the first calls I would make when I got a new position. It was hard this last time getting a new position and not making that phone call. Thank you to the Trott family from sharing her with me and so many others thanking for allowing us all to apart of that list of “her kids”; I will always say a prayer for you all. Thank you Mrs. Trott for showing me that Adventist Education needed a teacher like me just like I needed Adventist Education too!

Ma

There are no words strong enough to capture the spirit of the woman I knew simply as Ma. She was more than a mother, she was a saint in every sense of the word. A woman of God, wisdom, and unwavering love, Ma lived a life rooted in service to her family, her faith, and her community. She never sought recognition, only the opportunity to help others, especially the less fortunate. She balanced her roles with grace, an educator by profession and a nurturer by nature. Her intuition was unmatched, her smile could pierce the darkest storm, and her presence was both comfort and clarity to those lucky enough to be in her orbit. She taught me humility, gratitude, and the power of giving. I carry those lessons with me every day. Ma was a fighter. Her battle with cancer was long and brutal, yet she remained strong for us. She never let her pain eclipse her purpose. Watching her endure what she did with such courage and dignity changed me forever. And though I miss her deeply every single day I wouldn’t wish her one more second of suffering. She and my father were a living testament to love and partnership, a true example of husband and wife. Together, they shaped the foundation I stand on as a man as I raise my daughters Zoe, Ava, and Nova with my wife, Dayna, whose love and strength remind me of Ma in the best ways. My girls miss her dearly, as do I. My little sister, Kimille-Grace, who shared a unique bond with Ma, who was her rock may be the only person can truly share with me the knowledge of having the love and nuture of a most excellent mother. She never sought to be admired, yet she became the standard. I am who I am because of her. We all are. And though she is no longer here with us, her spirit continues through every act of kindness, every lesson lived, every memory that still warms our hearts. Thank you, Ma. I'll love you always. -Renzo-

My tribute to Mrs Trott Contessa Jackson

Some people walk into your life and quietly reshape the way you see the world. Mrs. Trott was one of those people. For three years, we were colleagues, but in truth, we were kindred spirits, bound not by time, but by connection. Somewhere along the way, our work relationship transformed into a bond that felt more like family, and I asked her and Mr. Trott to be Chase's godparents, G-Ma, a godmother, a guide, a grounding force. Mrs. Trott had a brilliance that lit up any room, a sarcasm that was always just sharp enough to be funny but never cruel. She had a way of reminding me of my age, usually with a smirk and a laugh, and a “deodorant” story that still makes me chuckle. That was her way, humor laced with wisdom, always teaching, always reaching. What I admired most about her, beyond her intelligence and wit, was her grace in the classroom. She commanded respect not through force but through connection. She had a way with her students and their families that many hope to achieve but few master. Watching her teach was like witnessing art in motion. She was firm, fair, and full of heart. Her classroom was a sanctuary for learning, growth, and sometimes, a little sass. She taught me more than just classroom management or lesson plans—she taught me how to lead with compassion, how to laugh through stress, and how to be unapologetically authentic. Her presence lingers in the lessons I teach in the way I speak to students and in the way I carry myself as an educator and as a friend. Losing her last year left a silence that still echoes, but in that silence, I hear her voice, her laughter, and her wisdom. I carry her with me. Mrs. Trott was my mentor, my friend, and truly, my sister. With love and eternal gratitude, Contessa

You are the reason

Dear Kim it aches my heart to know that you have departed this Life. Though you are not here physically,the memories you have left behind are speaking Volumes. You love to the fullest.I am going to miss you a lot. Till we meet again. Gil