Miami Springs is grieving the loss of one of its most beloved community members. Altagracia Suggs, known to many simply by her warm smile and kind presence, has passed away — leaving behind a legacy of quiet service, gentle strength, and everyday grace.
The Miami Springs Police Department released a heartfelt statement confirming her passing:
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to and announce the passing of one of our beloved school crossing guards, Altagracia Suggs. Ms. Suggs faithfully served our community at Springview Elementary, always greeting students and families with warmth and kindness. She was truly loved by both our department and the community she protected each day. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her impact will never be forgotten.”
To many in the community, Altagracia was more than a crossing guard. She was a constant — a familiar face each morning at Springview Elementary and a friendly presence for years at Milam’s Markets, where she worked as a cashier. Whether helping children cross the street or ringing up groceries, she approached each interaction with patience, a soft-spoken joy, and a smile that lifted spirits.
Her name, Altagracia, translates to “High Grace” — a fitting description of how she carried herself throughout her life. Friends and regular customers remember her as someone who never seemed rattled, no matter the circumstances. She radiated calm, kindness, and dignity in a world often too rushed to notice.
“She was the kind of person who made your day better without even trying,” said one longtime resident. “Just a quick exchange with her and suddenly, life didn’t feel so heavy.”
Altagracia’s death has left a quiet but undeniable void in the heart of Miami Springs. Yet, in her passing, the community she served and uplifted remembers the small acts of grace that added up to a life profoundly well-lived.
To her family and loved ones, our deepest sympathies. Take comfort in knowing that Altagracia’s kindness touched far more lives than you may ever know — and her memory will continue to live on at every crosswalk, every checkout line, and every heart she brightened along the way.
Rest in peace, Altagracia Suggs. You were truly one of a kind.