On Friday, April 5, 2024, Erica Altagracia Ferdinand, a loving mother of seven children, was carried into Jesus' loving arms at the age of 85.

Erica Altagracia Evans was born in St. Maarten on April 12, 1938, to Camelia Ruan and Austin Leopold Evans. She was given the name Asia at birth, and her name was changed a year later to Erica.

She migrated from St. Maarten and resided in Aruba where she met Dudley Clyde Leslie. The two were united in marriage in 1955, and to which five children were born to them: Roselyn Leslie, Edwin Leslie, Kenneth Leslie (deceased), Michael Leslie, and Iona Leslie.

She gave her life to Christ in a church crusade in 1962 at the age of 25. The whole family migrated from Aruba to St. Croix, USVI, in 1970, where she later became a citizen of the United States at Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands in July 2002.

Her marriage then ended in 1972 and later remarried in 1974 to Leo Ferdinand, until their marriage of 17 and a half years ended. From that union two children were born: Michelle Ferdinand (Powell) and Chad Ferdinand (deceased).

In 1989 Erica migrated with her two children to Florida to be closer to her other five children and resided there. She attended and was a member of St. Andrew Church. When she was unable to do much for herself, she was placed in a nursing home facility to receive health and medical care. She stayed in Regents Park at Aventura for several years until her departure.

Erica had a passion for knitting and would make many items from blankets to baby clothes to give to her loved ones and to others as well. She was very loving, kind, and unselfish when it came to sharing what she had. She didn't have much, but she was surrounded by friends and family members who loved and cared for her. She loved the Lord and she loved to sing her favorite Christian songs. She always had something to share about Jesus with others.

Erica leaves behind treasured memories in the hearts of those whose lives she has touched. She is survived by her beloved children; her sister Marjorie (Leonard) Samuel, her brothers Raphael Evans, Stephen Evans, Etienne Evans, Julian Evans, and Eric Evans; daughters-in-law Sandra (Edwin) Leslie, Beverly Leslie, and Connie (Michael) Leslie; sisters-in-law Etheline Melbourne, Eleanor Euson, Velda Plummer, Violet Bernabela; brothers-in-law Aubrey Leslie, Harold Leslie; grandchildren: Jacqueline Eugene, Ein Fleming, Leona Taylor, Eunice Peter, Tiffany Cook, Edra Leslie, Quindra Leslie, Brittany Leslie, Christie Leslie, Michael Leslie, Jr., Lynette Lindo, Liquita Powell, Kiara Powell; and a host of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.