Tarsha Vonea DaCosta's Obituary
Tarsha Vonea DaCosta was an earthly Hero and is watching over us as our Heavenly Angel. Her life was dedicated to God, Family, her students, and friends. On February 19th. 2022, she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. Two short month later, on April 26, 2022, Tarsha lost her battle with ovarian cancer and went home to be with her Heavenly Father. Family and friends, we will celebrate the wonderful life of a special gem. Her spirit lives on and we will forever remember our dear daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, godmother, goddaughter, teacher, and friend. Shei's leaving behind a legacy for all to follow. Fly high my sister and rest in the arms of Jesus.
On November 1, 1976, a beautiful baby girl was born to Francis Durham and Charles Hugh DaCosta on the beautiful Island of Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos’, they named her Tarsha Vonea. DaCosta
From an early age she was very loving, intelligent, inquisitive, and spiritual. She attended the Bible Baptists School until she moved to Fort Myers to live with her parents, Charles, and Frances DaCosta. Tarsha attended Orangewood Elementary, Fort Myers Middle, and fort Myers High School. Tarsha was very active in her high school choir, orchestra, as well as many other school clubs. After graduating high school, Tarsha attended Edison Community College (AA in Disciplinary Studies), Hodges University (Bachelors in Business), and Barry University (Bachelors in Education and Masters in Education Leadership).
Tarsha developed a relationship with God early in life. In order, God, family, friends, & her students were an important part of her everyday life. Tarsha enjoyed traveling, reading, music, mission work, & hanging out at the beach. Tarsha loved her family, most especially the kids in the family. She engaged in child played games, running through the house making noise, having fun with the kids. She also read bedtime stories and prayed with London & Lyon every night.
Tarsha enjoyed working with children. She started her child education career working at the DaCosta Family Home Day Care, then soon after Fort Myers Christian School, where she taught as a pre-school teacher, director of the before and after school program, and summer camp counselor and director. She was then employed with School District of Lee County at Orangewood Elementary School. She worked as a Head start/VPK teacher for 5 years. She was presented with the opportunity to join the Griffin Team at Gateway Charter Elementary School from 2012 until the time of her passing.
Tarsha was an active and longtime member of WMUMC. She was active in the children’s and youth ministries, both as a child and as a mentor and leader. She continued her service after completing high school. Tarsha loved going on mission trips with her youth group and as a youth counselor. She was also involved in Vacation Bible School as a child and counselor. She had a beautiful voice and sang in the children’s(M&M’S), youth and adult church choir, as well as the Praise Team. Tarsha’s faith and service saw her serving on many church committees, such as Administrative Church Council, Worship Design Team, Women of Faith, and was an active member of the Circle of Hope.
She’s preceded in life by the late: Charles and Olive DaCosta, Frances DaCosta, Ephraim Durham, and Anita Been, just to name a few and a host of other relatives that has gone home to be with the Lord. Tarsha is survived by Father: Charles H. DaCosta, Mother: Francis Durham, Sisters: Renee and Vanessa DaCosta, Darlene, Tracie Lightbourne, Cherrie May Cooke, Brothers: Ryan William, Aunts: Alice Lightbourne, Eleanor Williams, Beatrice Astwood, Florence ,Hamilton, Linda Bailey, Ann Frances, Heaillyn Phillips, Olga Outten, Hacynthe Craigg, Emma Pat Williams, Pauline, Uncles: Henry Williams, Robert Astwood, Simeon Hamilton, Overn -Bailey, James Fulford Sr. Franklin Lightbourne, Rupert Arthur, Clarence & Kevin, Sister-in-laws: Nyree Williams, Brother-in-law: Felix Ortiz and Rupert Cooke, Nieces: Mercedes DaCosta, China Haisley, London Elizabeth and Lyon Charles, India Nataro, Maiya and Malyia Madden, Desiree Sessoms, Malika Holt, Kendricka and Ken’dayzh Outten, Ty’Isha, Tyla, Ty’kira, Alexis Henry, Ravyn,Raveena, Rashuna, Resha Culasha Carliyah, Ryan Emma Taeisha and Sarai, Nephews: Mulon Missack , Brandan Smith, Deandre and Davante, Godchildren: Jalen Otten, Mulon Missick, Elliott Williams, Caleb Cobb, Amani Wrenn, Jace Lightbourne, King Douglas, Godparents: Joan Fulford, Antonio Fulford, and Jamie Duncanson, Godsisters: Nisha Cox, Godbrothers: Ricky, Donnie Fulford, and Dorell Fulford
Cousins: Deanna Williams Davis, Michael and Melissa Simmons, Joranda, Jann and Claude Lightbourne, Katrina Been & Family, Kimberly Ewing & Family Sherry and Clinton ,Phillip, Olralee, Rita, &Christopher, Outten, Frank, Rean &Lillian Johnson, Ivy Baptiste, Michelle , Angel Williams-Stubbs, Terry William & Family, Vivian Lewis, Britteny Simmons, Henry & Elliot Williams, Donovan Astwood, Michelle & Family, Barbara Gibson & Family, Donalee Smith & Family, Nina & Family, Philip Outten & Family, Wendy James & Family, Dr. Hubert & Beatrice Fulford, Yvonne Garland & Family, Susan Williams & Family, Dorean Williams & Family, Maijorie Moore & Family, Shirley Hughes & Family, Cecil Williams & Family, Robert Williams & Family, Anthony Williams & Family, Cheryl Lightbourne & Family, Marva Lightbourne & Family, Tammy Lightbourne & Family, Londa Caley & Family, Genevieve McArthur & Family, Wayne Outten & Family, Donovan Outten & Family, Dominique & Leroy Roker & Family, Tajmahal Outten & Family, Jamie, Nicole Outten & Family, Veronicia Seymour & Family, James Fulford Sr. & Family, Cindy Williams, Bonnie Glinton,William, Wendy Collins, Albert, Evan, Eunica, Velma, Brenda, & Cheryl Clare, Kenricka Hamilton, Calvin, Cavell, & David Williams, Don, Clyde, Pedro Lightbourne, Nekoda Fulford,& a host of families from the Turks & Caicos & Bahamas.
Extended Family: Ron,Felicia, & Marie Moore, Craig Nataro, Roxanne Schmidt and Family, Amber Pierson, Nancy Coxe and Family, Nicole Strickland, Gloria Rigby, Joan Antonio Fulford and Family, Wayne and Rena Haisley, Felicia Moore, Gloria Isaac & Family, Dalphine Speed, Velma Evans & Family, Carol, Joan, Judy, Louis Simmons & Family, Elain, Ronda, & Tawana Smith, Peggy Jsingh, Kelly Johnson Monalisa Adderley, Charles Crawley, and a host of others to many to mention.
Special Friends: Jill Guenther & Family, Press & Tina Southworth, Peter & Debbie Daley/Salinger & Family, Shelley & Stephanie Bum, Paul and Sarah Markle, Wendy Fitzpatrick & Family, Dr. Angie Carter& Family, Debbie Faust, Brad & Marcy Heller & Family, Arthur and Ann Hollins, John and Donna Wilson & Family, Heather Carter, Loretta Goldberg & Family, Lavern Hicks, Dr. Patrick Galatowitsch,, Amber Jensen, Tina Cain , Nicole Demeo, Ross Horton Colon, Maldonado, Lilliana Lemos, Kourtney, Dunn, Andrea Laine, Nikki Gottermann, Monika Adel Gadallah, Phyllis Fields-Rainer, , Robert and Kevin Kent, Colon, Maldonado, Andra Nicole, Lisa Bright and Family, Mamma Elizabeth Caangay and Family, Jaimee Stanley, Marisol Almodovar Peet, Jamie Browder, Eric Fuller, The Webb Family, April Spencer, Linda Deforest Cox and Family, and a host of friends too many too mention from Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Families and Gateway Charter Elementary, Intermitted and High School. Families.
The Family of the late Tarsha Vonea DaCosta wishes to express sincere thanks and gratitude to the many friends and relatives for their prayers, words of comfort, telephone calls, thoughtful cards, social media messages and tie spent with us during her sickness and bereavement. Your kid gestures are greatly appreciated.
Special thanks to the medical staff at Gulf Coast Medical Center, Moffitt Cancer Center, Cancer Specialist of Southwest Florida, Gateway Charter Elementary, Intermediate, and High School students and families. Thank you to Reverend Debbie Daley-Salinger and the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Families. Thank you to the Management and staff of Memorial Gardens.
May God’s abundant blessings be
yours truly,
The DaCosta Family
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Tarsha's name to either Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund and/or Gateway Charter Elementary School Scholarship Fund.
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