Sherita Kyles Wilson stood close to her brother Cedric The Entertainer with her hands clasped underneath her chin waiting for the white cloth that draped over the front right side of SSM St. Mary’s to drop Friday morning. Her hands trembled and her head shook as if she was torn on whether to give into the bittersweet emotions or shout with joy – perhaps a bit of both
With the sound of a “celebratory trumpet” came the big reveal. The Rosetta Boyce Kyles Women’s Pavilion was written in big bold blue letters that stretched across the entire right side. They melted into each other’s arms and wiped away tears. What those family, friends, supporters and SSM staff who gathered to see the unveiling witnessed wasn’t another moment of charity from a homegrown celebrity for a worthy cause – it was a big brother and a little sister doing their mother proud by fulfilling her wishes.
“I feel like I just want to take it all in,” Wilson said.
She quoted her mother’s favorite scripture from Lamentations 3:22-24, which reads:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
That particular scripture is inscribed in the grand piano that sits in the lobby of SSM St. Mary’s – which was donated by the Kyles family after Rosetta Boyce Kyles passed away. They presented the piano during the announcement of the 3rd Annual Cedric The Entertainer and Friends Gala earlier this year, which takes place tomorrow night (Sat., Oct. 22) at The Peabody Opera House and stars Smokey Robinson, George Lopez, D.L. Hughley and Cedric himself.
Lopez came to the unveiling to show his support for his friend and “Comedy Get Down” tour mate.
“This is an amazing honor for her,” Lopez said from his seat just before brief formal program began.
The Rosetta Boyce Kyles Women’s Pavilion won’t be functioning until sometime later this spring. But through the signage they had tangible evidence of the work that began – with their mother by their side – to aid in the process of paying forward the excellence in health care she felt she had received there until her death in 2015.
“It was something she was very passionate about,” Cedric said. “We really hate that we lost her last year because it was something she was so involved with and wanted to see come into fruition. I’m honored to be able to raise money and raise awareness.”
They wanted to make sure that the Pavilion was a part of their mother’s legacy – not only in name, but the vast array of services that will be provided and the type of care the family says is typical of SSM St. Mary’s.
“This is such a wonderful day to unveil my mother’s name in front of this great hospital,” Cedric said. “When you go to a hospital, you don’t really want to be at a hospital. But it’s a warming feeling every time I walk in here. The spirit of this hospital and everyone who works here is so loving and so kind. That type of energy was what me and my sister felt when we came here with my mother during her sickness.”
Along with Wilson and Cedric were plenty of family members and friends. Some were from right here in St. Louis. Others traveled from around the country to bask in the special moment.
“This is a day where all of us celebrate,” Cedric said. “Not just her family, but everybody who knew her and was involved.”
Among those celebrating was their mother’s spiritual advisor Pastor Leonardo D. Gilbert. He traveled from Chicago, where he pastors at the Sheldon Heights Church of Christ.
“This is a wonderful day to celebrate – not just life, but celebrate legacy,” Gilbert said after Wilson and Cedric relinquished the podium to allow him to speak. “We are here to celebrate the legacy of one of your angels who spent her life being a blessing to others.
Her legacy lives on in a place that continues to give and bring comfort and support for those who walk through these doors.”
The 3rd Annual An Evening with Cedric The Entertainer and Friends will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at The Peabody Opera House. Visit Ticketmaster.com for tickets and visit http://www.ssmstmarys.org/cedric-and-friends/ for more information.
