Slain Reggae Girl was family breadwinner

Clouds of gloom hung over the ‘Back Bush’ community of Mountain View yesterday as the family of Reggae Girl Tarania Clarke gathered outside her residence to mourn the passing of the talented footballer, who was stabbed to death by a friend in Half-Way Tree on Thursday night.

The 20-year-old footballer, affectionately called ‘Plum Plum’, is remembered by her family and community as a kind-hearted and disciplined role model.

“She was so humble, never in conflict with no one, so I don’t know what to say (about her death),” said Charmaine Riley-Clarke, Tarania’s mom, who struggled to find words to capture her loss.

“I don’t find her to be unpleasant. She is kind to everybody, she is loved by everybody, so I don’t know why that young lady would do something. I don’t know who would think to do something like this because she is not that type of person. She is a family person and everybody in the community likes her,” she said.

Riley-Clarke believes that her daughter had an outstanding future in football before her.

“She loved her football and she was dedicated. I have only gone to watch her once, because I never like to hear her cry ... but she was a very satisfied and humble person,” she added.

A ROLE MODEL TO MANY

Tarania’s aunt, Winsome Clarke, said the entire stretch of Mountain View Avenue admired Tarania, whom she dubbed the “nicest human being God ever created”.

“Plum Plum was going to take her mother from poverty to glory, and they took her away. She has her mother and smaller brother, and she may not be working, but she is the breadwinner,” Winsome told The Gleaner.

“She’s a role model, because all the girls want to be like Plum Plum because they see her on the TV. But the effect of what that girl did when she realise that she shouldn’t do Plum Plum that, because she and Plum Plum are friends, I believe it will go to her brain and mad her,” she stated.

Clarke was stabbed and killed in Half-Way Tree on Thursday evening by a friend after an altercation.

The defender, who played seven years for Excelsior High in the schoolgirl competition, also came through the ranks as a national player and was tapped for greatness. The Reggae Girl, who played for and captained league leaders Waterhouse in the Women’s League, was also due to go on scholarship at Daytona College in the USA in January.

Meanwhile, the Jamaica Football Federation recognised Clarke’s exemplary behaviour and character and said the nation would miss an outstanding player.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com