Garnell Andre Louis-Charles

To be honest I'm still processing the fact that Garnell passed away even though it's already been a year. However thinking about that infectious laugh of his helps a lot. Ironically, even in the way he used to tease people would end up in laughs. One of my favorite memories is the time when we're in our basement listening to 45' records on the stereo we kept down there. It was the first time he heard Diana Ross' song No One Gets The Prize. He just folded his arms together and started chair dancing. Then after a minute or two he looked at me smiled and said "I like it.", then just kept dancing. It's little moments like that I miss the most. I miss you Nice. Love you. ❤️

I always underestimated how well Uncle Garnell paid attention to little details about people. Every once in a while he'd bring up a little detail of a conversation that happened months or even years ago, or point out an observation when you didn't think he was paying attention. I remember being around 9 or 10, sitting on my grandfather's bed and I started getting itchy. Uncle Garnell comes out of nowhere and says "you're tired. Go to bed." I said, "huh? What are you talking about?". He says, "whenever you're fighting you're sleep, you start scratching." Now I was notorious for fighting my sleep, but this thought had never ever crossed my mind. My parents hadn't even pointed out this observation. But at that moment, I realized he was absolutely right. To the day, when I'm fighting sleep and I get itchy, I hear Uncle Garnell says "you're tired, go to bed". Rest well, Uncle Garnell.

As the date gets closer, I've been thinking about Uncle Garnell even more than I have throughout the year and wanted to share a memory. Uncle Garnell really liked to tease his nieces and nephews in the Louis-Charles family but, particularly enjoyed teasing me the most because he knew he'd get a reaction out of me. The majority of our interactions entailed his teasing and I always knew when I saw him to get ready for the teasing to begin. He always said a phrase to me that made me laugh. Anytime I'd say something especially if it was nice about him, he'd say "shut up girl" and I always laughed and asked my dad why does he say to which my dad didn't have a clue. But I now understand. Uncle Garnell didn't need me to say "I love you" or "Hey Uncle Garnell, I miss you. How have you been?" because he knew how I felt and wanted me to just know that he felt the same. We have a close tight knit family that I am grateful for and the love that this family has is more than any words could express. And Uncle Garnell was no exception to that. I miss and love you Uncle Garnell.

Alesia, Amber and Tyla:

We are hurting along with you. We will all, forever cherish our time growing up together, as families. Derek is especially fond on the time Garnell volunteered to help his AAU teams. Probably the only times he saw Garnell scowl; either because the players were doing their own thing or the refs blew a call. Otherwise, he had an attitude, disposition and enjoyment of life that was magnetic. We will always remember that and recognize the fact that we were blessed to have known him. We are blessed to know you. God has prepared a room for him and he is at peace now.

God bless you all.

Nichole and Derek Gaunt

Mrs. Alesia, Amber, and Tyty,

Words cannot express the sadness and heart break we feel. Garnell was such a light in our lives. We have so many wonderful memories of him that we will hold close to our hearts forever. The memories that we remember the most of him is his love for Dragon Ball Z. We will always remember watching the Mummy Returns, eating his speciality (Mac & cheese/tuna), setting up the tent in the backyard for Tyla and Taylor (multiple times) while he slept in the living room to make sure we were safe during the night and all of the family hangouts and dinners in between. But above all else, we will forever remember the love he had for your family and for others.

Reminiscing on these memories that we created with your family, I’m immediately reminded of the quote “We become in our lives what we do with our love.” Love is an action word and Mr. Garnell was truly the epitome of this.

In loving memory of a great father, husband, son, uncle, and friend.

We love you all so much.
⁃ Mo and Tay