In the early hours of November 22, popular and passionate entertainer, Denise Moore-Campbell, who used the stage moniker, Lovey, made her departure to join her uniquely loving spirit with those of calypso Grandmaster Lord Kitchener, soca innovator Ras Shorty I, Duke (the dapper), Merchant, Arrow, and the Roaring Lion, in the great beyond. Lovey went to bed the night before, not knowing she would never be vertical again.
But at the 10 am starting time of her funeral service at the Belgroves Memorial Chapel in Trincity, the attendance was so sparse, one wondered if the address, time, and date were correct. After some delay, the proceedings got under way, with friends and relatives reflecting, pleasant and otherwise, on the life of the departed, devoted dame of calypso and soca.
That she was a uniquely loving individual who was similarly loved by those with whom she interacted, was consistent and clear by the words of those who spoke, as well as those who elected to sing their tributes to a lady who touched hearts and minds with her singing. Marilyn Williams, who had doubled with Denise 'Lovey' Moore as backing vocalists for soca legend Austin SuperBlue Lyons on numerous international performances with his Love Band in the era of the 80s and 90s, sang her Christmas hit, Ribbons, which befittingly pleaded in part "...there is no Christmas without your love...stay with me ..."
As Williams' vocals flowed, so did the tears down her cheeks, registering the painful emotional memory that it was her final performance in the same room with the other half of the "Lovey and Dovey" duo, as they were dubbed in their early years on stage. Arts and Multiculturalism minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters appropriately chose Pick Yuhself Up from his extensive repertoire, to soothe the hurting hearts in the chapel. The mood was solemn as he delivered his mini-sermon in song.
Sister Bev then virtually raised the roof with a refreshing uptempo medley of perennial Negro spiritual songs. The small congregation rose to its feet clapping, singing, and dancing to the infectious renditions.
Singing Sandra was introduced, after repeated calls for Tuco president Brother Resistance, who was scheduled to speak, went without response.
Singing Sandra gave a glowing recollection of her relationship with Lovey, before crooning the ever popular How Great Thou Art, inviting those gathered to join in the well known chorus.
Lovey's daughter, Tonika Campbell, brother-in-law, Wayne "Micey" Campbell, Williams, and other close friends, all shared touching memories of their experiences with the deceased. Seated at the front of the chapel were her father, George Christopher, and husband, Anthony Campbell, who sat quietly frequently nibbling on his bottom-lip, while struggling to console and control himself.
Then in his inimitable and typical style of "bringing the curtains down" at events, SuperBlue's appeared mystically. He ambled through two emotionally charged selections, moving over to touch Williams.
Other entertainers in attendance were bassist Vincent Rivers, renowned trumpeter Errol Ince, Mudada, Twiggy, Nicole Prescott and back-up singer Kathleen Rosal.