Homegoing Service & celebration of t H e l
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Homegoing Service & celebration of t H e l
august 10th, 1916 - august 10th, 2015
Saturday, augu St 23rd, 2015
• greater betHel catHedral faith united Way, nassau, The bahamas
• officiant: rev. William Pratt
• interment: WoodlaWn gardenS Soldier road, nassau, The bahamas
mother Sutherland, as she was affectionately known, was born ann Priscilla Handfield in Kew north caicos, turks & caicos island on 10th august, 1916 to Susan grant and Thomas Handfield. one of four children in the family, that included older sisters mildred forbes and Susan Parker and younger brother nathan Handfield (all now deceased), ann attended the Kew all age School before travelling to Jamaica to further her education and work.
it was in Jamaica that she met and married Sedley Sutherland with whom she had a long and loving relationship until his death in 2005. That union produced five children, barbara, lorna, noel, ronald and rose (deceased).
The young couple moved to nassau, bahamas and shortly thereafter ann’s interest in sewing led her to pursue a course in dressmaking with the good Housekeeping institute of dressmaking. She eventually became one of the few people in the country at that time to hold a certificate in dressmaking which she put to use to start her own dressmaking business. Her entrepreneurial spirit not being satisfied, she also ran a notion store on Palm b each Street. Her industry allowed her to remain in the home to raise her children
while also making a contribution to the family’s welfare.
mother Sutherland’s relationship with her god was of the utmost importance to her. in addition to serving her earthly family, she was actively involved in winning souls for the Kingdom through the cultivation of a church family as well. along with her husband the late elder Sedley Sutherland, she was a central figure in establishing the local assembly apostolic church where she served as Sunday School teacher, part-time organist, caretaker and anything else that was needed.
b eside being a tireless worker for the lord, mother Sutherland was a loving and devoted mother who poured herself into her children wherever she met them. She devoted her entire life to the rearing and nurturing of her children and grandchildren. mother Sutherland also believed in helping others physically and spiritually and adopted as many children as the lord led her to. She was not afraid to share her home and heart with whoever needed help.
on the morning of her 99th birthday, after a brief illness, mommy’s work on earth came to an end and she went to be with her lord.
tWo daugHterS: barbara malcolm & lorna Sutherland-Walker
tWo SonS: lloyd noel Sutherland and ronald Sutherland
tWo adoPted SonS: Supt. christopher rahming, J.P. and director of immigration rev. William Pratt
Son-in-laW: rev. algernon malcolm
daugHterS-in-laW: Judith Sutherland, cleomie Sutherland, mary r ahming, lolita Pratt
grandcHildren: daron & chantell malcolm; donelle & elvin taylor; dwight & Patrika malcolm; danette malcolm; dawn Walker; nicole Sutherland-King & orson King; Quetelle ferguson; danielle, Jamaal & andra Sutherland; ronald Jr., Heather & chinedu Sutherland; mai-tai & mary r ahming; unoma & davenchie mcKenzie; christine r ahming; christopher Jr. & Kenrica r ahming; robyn Pratt
great-grandcHildren: Hudley moss, nathan, malcolm & eden taylor; Hadassah malcolm; dwight Jr., danae & de’leah malcolm; Justice, arco, trinity & addis brown; lyric culmer; Zion King; Sharmia rolle; dwaniqua r ahming; Jalen cartwright; alijah, ayden & aaron butler
great-great-grandcHildren: Sahmiyah & taraji moss.
one brotHer-in-laW: ferdinand ‘doctor’ Watson
otHer relativeS & friendS including: donna turnquest; elder Samuel & laverne davis and family; maurice & Hermine barry-austin; rose gibson & family; Kathleen Parker & family; erma Sands & family; Sophie francis; Jakeil cartwright; austin butler; gloria dawkins; bishop george & Prophetess Savaleta fowler; bishop roston & Pastor althea davis & family; elder david fox & The local assembly church family; Pastor Shirley redwood & family; bishop emmanuel dean & family (Turks & Caicos Islands).
entrance Hymn ............... local assembly apostolic House of Prayer & faith apostolic combined choir
Welcome Pastor William Pratt
moderator ............................................................................................................................... elder Samuel davis
invocation ......................................................................................... bishop christopher minnis, Host Pastor
PraiSe & WorSHiP local assembly choir
1St ScriPture reading .................................... ecclesiastes 3:1-9 ................................... ronald Sutherland Jr.
SPecial muSic ...................................................................................................................................... ashley davis
2nd ScriPture reading .............................. 1 corinthians 15:51-58 ............... addis brown & lyric culmer
muSical Selection faith roxbury & Jean edgecombe
condolenceS ......................................................................... bishop george fowler; Pastor Shirley redwood; apostle livingston lynes; Pastor david Knowles
congregational Hymn “Heaven’s Jubilee”
Some glad morning we shall see, Jesus in the air Seems that now i almost see, all the sainted dead coming after you and me, joy is ours to share rising for that jubilee, that is just ahead
What rejoicing there will be, when the saints shall rise in the twinkling of an eye, changed with them to be Headed for that jubilee, yonder in the skies all the living saints to fly, to that jubilee.
Oh what singing,
what shouting When with all that heavenly host, we begin to sing
On that happy morning when we all shall rise Singing in the Holy ghost, how the heavens will ring
Oh what glory, Hallelujah millions there will join the song, with them we shall be
When we meet our blessed Savior in the skies Praising christ through ages long, heaven’s jubilee.
aS i KneW Her ........................................................................................................................... Supt christopher r ahming, J.P.
Solo ...........................................................................................................................................................................unoma mcKenzie
eulogy Pastor William Pratt
Patrick lightbourne
Prayer for tHe family Pastor Savaleta fowler
receSSional Hymn ................................................................... “When The Home gates Swing open for me”
i am on the upward road leading to that bright abode, Where forever my soul shall be free; won’t that be a happy time Heaven’s bells will sweetly chime when the home gates swing open for me.
That will be a happy day when the clouds have passed away; From my cares I shall be free when the gates swing open for me.
Tho sometimes the path may lead thru the vale of sin and greed Jesus ever my refuge will be; soon at home my trials o’er i shall praise Him evermore when the gates swing open for me.
i’ll keep walking in His light till my faith shall end in sight, He will lead me till safe o’er the sea i shall find a welcome there, and a crown of glory wear when the gates swing open for me.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, my sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!— When sorrows like sea billows roll; my sin, not in part but the whole, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, is nailed to the cross, and i bear it no more, it is well, it is well with my soul. Praise the lord, praise the lord, o my soul!
It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, and lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, let this blest assurance control, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; That christ hath regarded my helpless estate, The trump shall resound, and the lord shall descend, and hath shed His own blood for my soul. even so, it is well with my soul.
city of gold
There’s no sorrow up there Where there cometh no night, in that city so far ‘ tis a city of beauty untold; and no sickness can enter i’m told; all my treasures are there Shadows all will have flown, and it’s beauty i’ll share i will meet friends unknown, When i get to that city of gold. When we get to that city of gold.
There’s a city of light
When I leave all trouble and care, Won’t you go there with me I will say good morning up there; to the home of the free, I will have great gladness untold, Would you see heaven’s beauty unfold When I get to that city of gold. We will sing heaven’s song When we get to that city of gold.
i’ll fly aWay
Some glad morning when this life is o’er, When the shadows of this life have gone, i’ll fly away; i’ll fly away; to a home on god’s celestial shore, like a bird from prison bars has flown, i’ll fly away (i’ll fly away).
i’ll fly away (i’ll fly away)
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away; (in the morning) i’ll fly away; When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, to a land where joy shall never end, I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away). i’ll fly away (i’ll fly away)
eaStern gate i will meet you in the morning, if you hasten off to glory, Just inside the eastern gate; linger near the eastern gate, Then be ready, faithful pilgrim, for i’m coming in the morning; lest with you it be too late. So you’ll not have long to wait.
I will meet you, I will meet you Just inside the Eastern Gate over there; I will meet you, I will meet you, I will meet you in the morning over there.
Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning; oh, the joys of that glad meeting for the bridegroom watch and wait; With the saints who for us wait! He’ll be with us at the meeting What a blessed, happy meeting Just inside the eastern gate. Just inside the eastern gate!
I remember when I first met you, this pretty, short, smiling, apparently shy person, who welcomed me into her home, then later, into her family. Mom that was over forty one years ago.
At my bridal shower, I told you I had no intention of calling you ‘Mrs. Sutherland ‘ for the rest of my life so what should I call you? I remember you said in your soft voice “ all the other children call me Mom, so you can call me Mom too” and that I did. When Ronald Jr. came along, that changed to Grand-ma.
Mom I thank you for looking after Ron as a baby. It was during this time that you taught me that a rubber band, a six inch piece of belt and a stern expression was all that was needed to keep children in line. Later you also assisted though to a lesser degree with Chinedu. For this I will always be grateful. You and Grand-Pa always made me feel just like one of the children and so did your other children.
When you got older and after Grand-pa went home to be with the Lord, I got the opportunity to return the favour by assisting you with certain things like transportation.
I remember our trips to the clinic and finding out that you were afraid of needles and that
whenever you saw someone in white approach, your blood pressure went up.
I remember how your little eyes would close when you laughed, as you talked about Uncle Simeon and Uncle Walter, your Dad, old Scot and your time in Kew as a child. Just last month, you talked a lot about Babba James and how well he treated you as a child.
I remember how everyone would comment on how lovely your white hair was. You still had a lot of it back then.
I remember you as an excellent cook and house wife, always meticulous in the way you did things. Mom, no one could cook ackee and fish with rice and peas with coconut like you. I guess you already taught Sharlene how to make fried dumplings
I remember when you told me about your last child, Rose, who died as a baby, and how you felt that I was your Rose that the Lord sent back to you. I will always treasure that thought. My Mom died some twenty two years ago and I thank you for making me feel that I still had a mom all these years.
Thank you for the life lessons, the advice, instructions, and all the ‘how-to’ moments. We will continue to carry them and you in our hearts.
our grandma, what a treasure!
your life was characterized by order, insight, and consistency. not only did you teach us practical things like how to hem, hang out clothes the “right way” or as children to be “seen and not heard” but by your example you taught us to deport ourselves with dignity wherever we went because we represented you and we were “your generation”.
The impact of your words on our lives will never be forgotten. and today their power and relevance becomes potent and undeniable.
grandma you had words of wisdom that we each received something special from, something just for us…
your simple words of advice, we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We will carry them through our lifetime, and they will remain forever relevant for us, for our children, and our children’s children.
our grandma used to say:
“Iron all your clothes for the week one time. Don’t waste my electricity ironing everyday” – dwight
“Don’t feel shame carrying $10.00 to the bank. It adds up. – dwight
“It’s not what you make its what you save” – ronald
“Love? Ya can’t eat love...” - danielle
“Look well before you leap... look very well before you leap” – danette
“When you see someone doing something – always pay attention because you never know when you will need it” - danette
“Watch out for too much company – Jesus is your only friend. Don’t keep too much a company” – danielle & ronald
“Always make sure you do your best. Don’t worry about everybody else’s best...” – chinedu
“It doesn’t only take someone who is your biological parent to show you that they love you” – Heather
“You’re still family” - Heather treasure the people in your life while you still have them. They are such an important part of you and will become part of the generation to come.
grandma, because of your faithful christian testimony we can celebrate your life with the calm assurance that we will see you again.
We love you, Your Grandchildren
daron malcolm dWigHt malcolm
ronald SutHerland Jr. Jamaal SutHerland
mai-tai raHming cHriStoPHer raHming Jr.
lloyd noel SutHerland
ronald SutHerland
rev. algernon malcolm
SuPt. cHriStoPHer raHming
rev. William Pratt
We the family of ann Sutherland extend our sincerest thanks to all of you who have been unwavering in your support during our time of bereavement. you have brought sunshine into our homes and hearts through your visits, prayers and gifts. our sorrow is easier to bear with help from god and friends like you.
Thank you!