Today we celebrate the beautiful life of Merlie Louise Barrow Stevenson, a strong Belizean woman whose love, laughter, strength, and vibrant spirit touched everyone blessed to know her. Merlie peacefully departed this life on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the Palmdale Regional Medical Center in Palmdale, California, at the age of eighty-three, leaving behind a legacy filled with love, faith, family, good food, and unforgettable memories. 

Merlie was born on April 17, 1943, in the beautiful village of Gales Point Manatee, Belize District, Belize, to Edward Barrow, Sr. and Mrs. lonie Andrewin, affectionately known as "Mrs. Mina." Raised as the fourth of sixteen children, she grew up surrounded by the rich culture, close family bonds, and strong community spirit which is the heart of the Belizean life. She attended St. John's School and carried the values of faith, resilience, and hard work with her throughout her life. 

As a young woman, Merlie left Gales Point and moved to Belize City to live with her sister Rita Barrow. She later worked at Bowen Bottling Works for a number of years. Merlie was blessed with nine children. Determined to create a better future for herself and her children, she later migrated to Los Angeles, California in 1989, where she built a life rooted in love, sacrifice, and perseverance. 

Merlie met and married the love of her life, James Stevenson, with whom she shared many years of companionship, laughter, and memories. They met in the summer of 2010. Their love quickly blossomed and not too long after, James proposed. The two were happily married on September 29, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada and began a beautiful journey together filled with love, laughter, travel, and unforgettable memories. According to James, "my girl" as he affectionately called her was the best thing that ever happened to him. They traveled together, played together, and had fun together. According to James, Merlie was truly his best friend. 

No matter where Merlie went, she carried Belize with her. Through her storytelling, laughter, music, and especially her cooking, she made everyone feel at home. Her rice and beans, bread and bun were legendary - seasoned with love, laughter, and that special Belizean touch that nobody else could quite duplicate. Family gatherings were never complete without Merlie making sure everyone had a full plate and something to laugh about. 

Merlie loved music and loved to celebrate life. If punta, brukdown, or old-school tunes started playing, she was ready to dance. Even in her later years, she welcomed every opportunity to "get down" and enjoy herself. She believed life was meant to be lived with joy, good company, and plenty of laughter. 

She was known being kind-hearted, generous, funny, and wonderfully outspoken. Merlie had a sharp wit and a quick comeback that kept everyone on their toes. Her sharp tongue became legendary among family and friends, and practically everyone who knew her "got a taste of it" at one time or another - always with humor and love behind it. Whether family, friend, or stranger, everyone eventually received one of her classic remarks. Her favorite saying, "Yo Bitch Yo," became one of the many unforgettable expressions her loved ones will cherish forever. 

Merlie devoted her life to caring for others, faithfully working as a caregiver and always putting people before herself. Above all, she was a woman of deep Christian faith who loved the Lord wholeheartedly. She found joy in attending church, praising God, and encouraging others to trust Him through every season of life. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Barrow, Sr. and Mrs. lonie Andrewin ("Ms. Mina"); her children, David Vernon, Hugh Melvin and Denise Myles; her sisters, Mrs. Gwendolyn Fuller, Mrs. Lorraine Jenkins, Leonie Barrow Pitts, Olive and Louise Barrow; her brothers, Edward Andrewin, Kent Andrewin, Douglas Andrewin, Donald and Edward Barrow, Jr.; her aunt, Leonelle Adele Barrow; her uncles, Percy and Charles Barrow; her son-in-law, Peter Ruffin; and her grandsons, Shaheem Slusher and Kevin Chavez.

Left to celebrate her life and cherish her memory are her loving husband, James Stevenson; her children, Margaret Vernon Ruffin, Kimberly Vernon, Denroy Vernon Barrow, Randolf Vernon Barrow, Deon Vernon Barrow, and Mervin Vernon; her daughters-in-law, Ms. Cynthia Wade, Ms. Iris Vasquez, and Mrs. Kimberly Muslar Barrow; her sisters, Ms. Rita Barrow, Mrs. Bernadette Lamb, Mrs. Rachel Murillo, Mrs. Yvonne Davis, Mrs. Sylvia Bowen, and Mrs. Anna Moore; her brothers, Randolf Barrow, Hubert, Lionel, and Obidiah Andrewin; along with 34 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, lifelong friends, and loved ones both in Belize and abroad. 

Though our hearts are heavy, we give thanks for the life Merlie lived. She loved deeply, laughed loudly, spoke her truth boldly, cooked with passion, praised God faithfully, and brought joy wherever she went. Her spirit will continue to live on in every family gathering, every pot of rice and beans, every song that makes us dance, and every story shared with laughter. 

I have fought the good fight - I have finished the race - I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. 

Sleep in peace, Miss Merlie. Tek yuh rest. Yo journey done, but your love and legacy will live on forever.