Cayon’s 2nd shooting victim laid to rest
Let nature take its course…says bereaved mother

By Stanford Conway
Editor-in-Chief, SKNVibes.com

Mother of the deceased, Violet Prince, and other family members shortly before interment

Francis and Desroy Lester Walwyn, alias ‘Shootout’, were gunned down in the vicinity of Henry’s Night Spot in the wee hours of Sunday, November 30. Walwyn was buried in the same cemetery on the previous afternoon.

Francis, known to his friends as Woxy, was laid to rest on the grounds of the St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Cayon, after a very ‘fiery’ and soul-searching sermon by the Reverend Father Elroy Zakers.

The officiating priest called on members of the Cayon community to return to the days when the community had assisted biological parents in the raising of their children.

“Today our young men are dying at the hands of gunmen who have no regard for other people’s lives. The time has come for us to reflect on the days of old when the community used to assist parents in the proper upbringing of their children,” he said.

The Reverend Zakers also admonished those young parents, who do not instil moral, ethical and social values in their children from the early stages of their lives. He explained that although some of the young parents were properly trained by the older generation, they turn a blind eye on their offspring’s wrong-doings and never found time to question them on their whereabouts and some of the things they possess.

Travon Rickie Francis on his way to his final resting place

“Many of the young parents are inexperienced and cannot train their children in the proper manner. They have given too much freedom to their children from an early age, especially the young men,” he added.

The officiating Priest said parents must take the lead and he reiterated the need for the community’s input in child rearing, noting “where a community rears children you will have better adults and, by extension, better communities and a better nation”.

As an advocate of corporal punishment, he called on parents not to “spare the rod and spoil the child”. He however warned, “I’m not telling you to kill or be cruel to the child, but to punish him or her as a deterrent and don’t be deterred by the tears they would shed. If you fall for that they would know your weakness and use it every time they are to be scolded for wrong-doings.”

He also admonished those bent on a life of crime to change their evil ways, walk in the path of righteousness and return the Federation to the state it once was when everyone walked without fear and lived in peace and harmony.

The Reverend Zakers advised the Cayon community to stand up against the criminals and gang members and “let them know that they are not welcome in the community”.

The eulogy was read by one of Francis’ sisters, who declared that she had named him “Foxy from birth because he resembled his father who was popularly known as Fox”.

A section of mourners at the St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Cayon

Francis was entirely schooled in Cayon. He had attended a Pre-School in that town from where he moved to the Cayon Primary School thence to the Cayon High School.

Although he did not acquire the academic qualifications his mother expected of him, Francis was gifted with his hands. This was evident in his ability to repair motorcycles, three of which he owned while residing in St. Thomas, and also the trade he chose as his profession…construction.

Before his death, Francis was employed as a construction worker with Stephen and Associates.

His sister also eulogised that he was known to be a warm-hearted and friendly individual who had a great sense of humour. She further stated that football was his favourite sports discipline and he was rarely seen with a frown on his face…“he was always smiling”. 

Speaking with SKNVibes, his mother said that the night of Friday, November 28 was the last time she spoke with her son. She however claimed to have somehow managed to partially overcome her earlier burden of grief and had purchased a cake, which was displayed on his casket, to remind her that “he is not here to celebrate his 26th birthday with us”.

She advised that children must listen to and obey their parents and not allow friends to dictate what they should do. The bereaved mother also pointed out that “he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and I am not seeking revenge, but will allow nature to run its course. All are in the hands of God”.

In addition to his mother, Travon Rickie Francis, known to his friends as Woxy and family members as Foxy, leaves to mourn his sudden passing, brothers Myron and Troy Francis, Jesse James, Elvis Burroughs and Carlos Skelton; sisters Lashaina Cabey, Erica Chumney and Jessica Skelton; and a host of other relatives and friends. ~~Adz:Right~~