Family will have a private service for Mrs. Sabina Thelma Tancrede 68 of Killeen, TX. Memorial service will be held Saturday December 30, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center, Chisolm Trail Room at 3601 S W.S. Young, Killeen, Texas 76542.

Sabina Thelma Tancrede passed away on December 12, 2023, three weeks shy of her 69th birthday. Today we lay her down to rest on her birthday, the day that the Lord brought her into this world. She is preceded in death by her beloved mom who passed away when Sabina was only 17 years old and her father when she was twenty-three. Also preceded her in death are her sister Helen St. Prix and Patrick Ismael.

She was born in 1954 on the beautiful Caribbean Island of St. Lucia to Deterville and Rita Sonson, the last of the couple's three daughters. She spent the first 25 years of her life there and dutifully took care of her parents. She cared for both or her parents until their final days. Soon after the death of her father in 1977, she joined her two sisters who were residing in Texas and started a new life.

She found her calling as a hair stylist and worked as an independent contractor for several years. She later took the entrepreneurial leap and started her own hair dressing salon which she co-owned with a long-term friend. She was an excellent hairstylist and very enthusiastic about her craft.

Her true passion was in mothering her two daughters Tamara Sonson and LaToya Tancrede and being Nana to her grandson D'Andre Williamson and granddaughter Sydney O'Neal. With open arms she welcomed her son-in-law Terrel Caster, husband to Tamara, into the family.

Sabina dedicated her life to her children, instilling in them moral values not through conflict but with intimate long talks during their cooking expeditions, leisure walks, and just laying across the bed. Speaking on behalf of herself and LaToya, Tamara shared fond memories of life with their mom.

"We enjoyed learning to cook Caribbean cuisine with mommy, shopping with mommy, going walking on nature trails, and going to theme parks and the zoo. We vividly remember getting on a ride with mommy at Six Flags. It was her first ride, and her reaction was priceless! She enjoyed it, but let's just say she skipped the next rides altogether. Our fondest memories, however, are of our intimate, long talks. We'll cherish those most of all. She poured so much knowledge and wisdom into us. We never had to guess about her love, loyalty, or commitment to our well-being. We will remember her green thumb. Our mother once said that old trees can bear new branches, indicating that it's never too late for change."

Just as she loved her children and grandchildren, she demonstrated the same qualities to those who are left to mourn her loss. Her sisters, Agnita Grace Jules and Dr. Mary Vianna Alfred, with whom she shared a lifetime bond. Rita's three girls were inseparable.

Also left to mourn the loss is her sister Irene Begg from the UK, her former spouse Jean Tancrede and her many nieces and nephews who looked up to her as a second mom and with whom they shared intimate moments of her life. They spoke highly of her and of her loyalty. Among them are Yvonne Gordon, Merlissa Alfred, Heidi Alfred-Witcher, Celestin Jules, Jr., Randy Jules, Jeremy Alfred, Gregory LaForce, Curtis Joseph. Many other family members and close friends too numerous to mention.