ST AUGUSTINE'S Church was full to overflowing for today's funeral of reggae star Joe White.So popular was the founder of former Jah Warriors band that cars also lined Bucklesham Road, tail to bumper.
ST AUGUSTINE'S Church was full to overflowing for today's funeral of reggae star Joe White.
So popular was the founder of former Jah Warriors band that cars also lined Bucklesham Road, tail to bumper.
During the 45-minute service tribute was paid to the popular brother, father, son and friend.
Although Jah Warriors broke up in the mid 1980s, members and fans of the band were in the congregation to say farewell to the man who always had time for everyone.
It was a traditional service but there just had to be at least one Jah Warriors' song played, for old times sake, and that was There is a Land.
Dozens of floral tributes filled the funeral cars with blooms in letter shapes reading Dad, Uncle and Joe.
Flowers were also made up in the shape of weight-lifting dumb-bells and among the messages were those promising this much-loved man would never be forgotten and many `thank-you's' for lots of happy times.
Mr White lost his life when his motorbike was believed to have gone out of control near his sister's house in Kent as he began the journey he never completed back to his home in Nacton Road, Ipswich.
A motorbike lover, he had only just bought the new 1150CC to celebrate his 40th birthday on June 5.
He had three daughters in their teens and early 20s and two grandchildren. He had been hoping to surprise them by taking them on holiday to Crete with his sister Veronica.
Jah Warriors grew from band practice in the kitchen of his home to playing at Murrayfield.
He first played bass and then drums with the band that was go on and entertain all over the world. They worked with Curtis Mayfield, Aswad and the Cimarons. Chris Andrews, who wrote numerous Sandie Shaw and Adam Faith hits, produced their debut album.
After the band split he continued with music, building his own home studio before changing direction and running his own construction firm in London.
After his funeral a celebration of his life was held with a party at the Ipswich Caribbean Association in Woodbridge Road.
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