Erzulie Jesumene Thomas

Jesumene Thomas came into the world on January 1, 1930, in the quiet rural town of Desdunes, Haiti, born to Aza and Mariesil—a firstborn daughter destined to carry the weight of generations and the hope of something more. 

Jesumene, as she would later be known, was the eldest of five siblings: Rosana, Andre, Murat, and Murak, all of whom she outlived. From her earliest days, life demanded grit, sacrifice, and resilience—and she answered with unwavering determination.

Her birth name was Erzulie, but later in life, after a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ, she changed her name to Jesumene. It was more than a name change—it was the declaration of a new identity. One no longer shaped by her beginnings, but by her faith, her purpose, and her redemption.

She had five children—Carmene, Isemela, Jesula, Murak, and Murat—and endured the unimaginable pain of outliving all but one. Her surviving daughter, Carmene, carries forward the torch of her strength and legacy. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride. Though she also lost several grandchildren along the way, Jesumene remained steady, rooted in her faith, and strengthened by God’s sustaining grace.

She was a hardworking businesswoman who provided for her family by selling coffee, cultivating her farm, and never letting her circumstances define her. She possessed a sharp sense of humor and a deep well of wisdom, often reminding those around her with this Haitian proverb:
“Dòmi pòv, leve rich” – “Go to sleep poor, wake up rich.”
It was more than a saying—it was a mindset. A declaration of hope in the face of hardship.

On May 17, 2024, at the age of 94, Jesumene moved to the United States. There, she experienced one of the sweetest joys of her long life: meeting most of her great-grandchildren for the first time. That moment was a gift from God—where her long journey met the new lives it helped create.

She passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, at the age of 95. Even in her final days, through physical pain, her response to “How are you?” never changed:
“Mwen anfòm.”
“I’m well.”
Not because her body was without pain, but because her spirit was full of peace.

Jesumene’s life is not measured by earthly success, but by something far greater: a life redeemed. Through loss, hardship, and solitude, she never gave up hope, never stopped believing, and never lost sight of eternity.

She fought the good fight. She kept the faith. And now—she rests.

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