Marie Carmelle Jean was born on June 23, 1952, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to Wildor Arnoux and Carmen Bazile. One of five children, she was sister to Claudette, Rock, Elmire, and Mony.

Excelling in school and her studies, Marie completed her post-secondary education at the business school of Christ the King in Port-au-Prince. After arriving in the States, Marie also attended Katherine Gibbs School and received her bachelor's at Adelphi University.

Marie had an innate drive to excel at everything she did. This was evidenced over the years as she excelled in her professional career, her spiritual endeavors, and her service to her community.

She poured her heart into learning and sharing her knowledge. Whether in formal ways as an instructor at the SDA seminary school or informally through her church community work, Marie had a passion for influencing the lives of others through knowledge sharing and witnessing.

Her walk with Christ started as a teenager. She was baptized and passionately immersed herself in the SDA community, participating in the Morijah church choir and Sabbath school activities.

It was there in 1972 that she met Mirabeau Jean. In 1975, they were married and would spend the next 49 years together. Mira describes their meeting as follows: "We fell in love, and we held on."

Marie and Mira would raise four children: Carl, Alain, Richard, and Christine. Over the years, as their family expanded, they welcomed three daughter in-laws, Avalene, Ria and Monique, who further blessed them with six grandchildren: Silas, Soleil, Bowen, Liliah, Rockwell and Ethan.

In 1976, the young couple embarked on their journey to America. Life in America as an immigrant brought unique challenges. There were changes and life situations to navigate. Her own family grew. Her role and responsibilities as matriarch to her younger siblings increased, and she faced having to re-skill to remain marketable in her new work environment.

The one constant then, as it remained throughout her life, was her love for Christ and the firm belief that all things are possible through Him.

Marie was a kind, generous, and faithful soul—an example of faith and Christianity in her actions. She was loving and accepting, wholeheartedly supporting others. Her laughter was contagious, and her loyalty and strength were unwavering. Graceful in everything she did, Marie was a true pillar of strength for her family and friends.

Influence and Impact:

Significant in Marie's journey were her living testimonies, particularly her testimony of faith and healing. She knew too well the afflictions of illness.

Experiencing the early death of her mother, grandmother, and aunts before her, from breast cancer, Marie herself was diagnosed in the early 90's.

For two years, she fought that fight, choosing to end conventional methods of treatment after poor results and a worsening diagnosis.

Having a tendency to favor more holistic living, she focused instead on learning how to practice lifestyles that support optimal physical, mental, and spiritual health. It was then that Marie attended a holistic healing program at Uchee Pines Lifestyle Center in Alabama.

God healed Marie, and she remained cancer-free for the next 30 years.

She was often intentional about sharing her testimony of healing at women's conferences and events, emphasizing the importance of early detection, mammograms, lifestyle, and, above all, walking in faith.

Her openness and ability to freely share her faith and story in a culture where many of these topics are not discussed demonstrated her love for others.

In her professional life, Marie had a successful career as a paralegal. With a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to her work, she was a good employee and she was engaged. Marie led the effort at her last organization to implement a birthday program so that employees might feel special on their birthdays by being acknowledged by their colleagues.

Marie wanted to be part of anything that made others happy or supported those trying to better themselves. She was a woman of action, taking the lead and initiative to make a difference. And she did so with grace and humility. Never mentioning her acts of kindness towards others.

During the illness of a fellow parishioner, Marie had the conviction to elevate prayer efforts by starting a live prayer group. That one seed she planted grew into a prayer group that supports over 300 people and their requests today.

In 2020, Marie was Sabbath School Superintendent. Understanding the many hardships brought on by the trauma of a pandemic and the separation it created, Marie intended to maintain the connection between sabbath school students and the church. She made various outreach efforts, sending personal notes, small gifts, and gestures of encouragement to ensure no one felt lost or abandoned and that they were doing well despite the Covid climate.

Later, Marie was moved to consider becoming an ordained elder at the acknowledgment of her pastor.

He realized her capabilities, consistency in service, and openness to sharing her faith. For Marie, this was an opportunity to continue her example of Christianity.

I Timothy 3 describes the Christian life of an elder in this way: "…A spiritual mentor. Above reproach, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to reach, without addictions or vice, gentle." An elder is to be exemplary and a model to others in their devotional life, their Christian personality, and their spiritual interest, reflecting the fruits of the spirit in their relationship with others: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

These fruits, which distinguish the Christian life from that of the unbeliever, were personified by Marie every day.

Marie was a brilliant strategist. She seldom reacted with emotion but knew just when and how to respond to a situation with grace and in a way that honored her Christian values.

Marie loved literature and consumed most of her time in the bible. She was a lover of the Psalms, and one of her favorites was Psalm 103. In this Psalm, David praised God for all He had done. He praises Him for His goodness, blessings, and His forgiving love. David ends with a universal call for all believers to Praise the Lord.

And so, as we celebrate Marie's life and legacy today, we praise Him loudly and with gratitude for the gift of Marie. We praise Him for her legacy of faith and love towards others. For showing us through Marie, His servant, how to live through every season. Good times, hard times, moments of mourning, and moments rejoicing.

We give God thanks and praise.

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