Darlings

Douglas DARLING THEOPHILUS

Born: 9th February, 1939 Died: 27th September, 2021 Aged: 82 years

Blondhilda LOUISE

DARLING

Born: 6th December, 1939 Died: 6th October, 2021 Aged: 82 years G L A D T I D I N G S TA B E R N A C L E

Kemp Road Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

S AT U R D AY, 1 6 T H O C T O B E R , 2 0 2 1 AT 1 2 : 0 0 N O O N

Officiating

PA S T O R I R E N E R U S S E L L

Assisted By

MINISTER JODELL ROBERTS

Directing

GRACE FUNERAL HOME & C R E M AT I O N S E R V I C E S

36 Rosetta Street Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

Cremation Was Held

Douglas THEOPHILUS

DARLING 1939 - 2021

DouglasTheophilus Darling was born in Inagua, Bahamas on February 9th, 1939, to John and Lillian Ester Darling.

He was the fourth of seven children: Ephesian Darling (deceased), Leanna Darville, Alfred Darling (deceased), David Gilton Darling, Geneva Rolle and Henrietta Watson (deceased). Douglas attended Inagua All Age School until the 6th grade. He lost his father at age 7 and his mother at age 14, prompting his decision to move to leave Inagua.

Douglas went to Florida, USA on contract to learn the trade of masonry and upon his return to Nassau, Bahamas, began working in construction. Douglas loved working and building with his hands and enjoyed his years working in his trade. Later he drove for Howard Johnson Tour Company and ultimately took over his future father-in-law’s Taxi Franchise, working for himself until his retirement in 2016.

Blondhilda LOUISE

DARLING 1939 - 2021

Blondhilda Louise Bowe was born in Nassau, Bahamas on December 6th, 1838, to Houlston Ronald and Dezzy Mona Bowe.

She was the third of six children: Shirley Cleare (deceased), Olene Bowe (deceased), Ednamae Johnson, William Bowe (deceased) and Renrick Bowe. Blondie (as she was known to friends and family) received her early education at Our Lady’s Catholic school and then continued her education at Xavier College where she studied Secretarial Science. In August, 1961, Blondie began her long career with the Telecommunications Company (Batelco) until her retirement in 1998.

Douglas &Blondie

Blondie, a kind and obedient daughter, was ironing a dress when Douglas first saw her. It was love at first sight! After a short courtship Douglas asked Houston for Blondie’s hand in marriage. Blondie and Douglas were married September, 11th 1957, in a beautiful ceremony that Blondie was three hours late arriving to!

Blondie and Douglas or Tuddie and Nick (as they affectionately called one another) resided in their first home on Milton Street - a gift from Houlston and Dezzy Mona. In the early years of their marriage, they were very happy - enjoying traveling, shopping, impromptu photo shoots and fancy cars. But eventually they felt something was missing.

They realized they desperately wanted children.

After 6 difficult pregnancies (including a set of twins) that all ended in miscarriages or stillbirths - Nick said to Tuddie “No More! I don’t want to lose you too!”

And the decision to adopt was made.

Mummy and Daddy enjoyed a long and joyful marriage.

They faced every struggle and shared every triumph together.

To us it is really not a surprise that they left this world as they lived in it - together!

In 1981, Nick and Tuddie finally welcomed their first adopted daughter Shenique Suzzanne into their home and their hearts. In 1986, a second adopted daughter Shyantel Tameil was added to the family. The girls enjoyed a warm, loving and happy childhood.

Mummy and Daddy - you will always be remembered, missed and loved by all of your family and friends left behind.

We will remember you as generous, beautiful people that cherished family above everything.

The family resided in their first family home on Balfour Avenue until 1990 when they moved into their forever family home at #20 Adams Street, Winton Estates.

Douglas personally oversaw the building of the home and often said he laid every block, his voice swelling with pride each time.

Rest Well Mummy and Daddy.

We love you,

Shenique&Shyantel

Left behind to cherish fond and loving memories, T W O ( 2 ) D A U G H T E R S : Shenique Suzzanne

Darling and Shyantel Tameil Darling;

T W O ( 2 ) G R A N D S O N S : Liam Valenzuela and

Adonis Douglas Leonidas Marshall;

S I B L I N G S : Leanna Darville, David Gilton Darling,

Geneva and Roosevelte Rolle, Ednamae and Chris Johnson, Renrick and Shamekia Bowe; N I E C E S A N D N E P H E W S : Amos Cox and

Family; Ester Ferguson and Family; Patrick, Anastina, Andy, Julian Darville and Family; Andrew, David, Junior, Anthony, Stephanie, Earl Darling and Family; Timothy, Lillian, Deborah, Tiffany Darling and Family; Maxwell, Bryan, Amos, Shawn Rolle and Family; Arnold Jr, Steven, Desiree, Gertrude, Deon Watson and Family; Carolyn Cleare and Family; Margaret Cleare and Family; McQuinnella Cleare-

Bonimy and Family; Trevor Cleare and Family; Alyssa and Miguel Cleare-Taylor and Family; Lyndon and Rochelle Johnson and Family; Ricardo and Michele Johnson and Family; Kirklyn and Charlene Johnson and Family; Chadrick and Odette Johnson and Family; Nathan and William Bowe; O T H E R R E L AT I V E S A N D F R I E N D S : The

Marshall Family, the Valenzuela Family, the Zervos Family, the Smith Family, Ms. Saunders and Family, Ms. Moss, Ms. Terri Fox, the Johnson Family, The Calvary Bible Family, Life Medical Family, the Heart Center Family, the Genesis Medical Center, Karen Bowe and Family, Vernal Moss and Family, Barbara Cleare and Family, Bethsheba Cleare and Family, Shonell Cleare and Family, the Ferguson Family, the Parker Family, the Carey Family, the Rahming Family; and many others too numerous to mention.

Douglas & Blondhilda Darling O R D E R

O F

S E R V I C E

MODERATER.............................................................................................................................MINISTER JODELL ROBERTS OPENING PRAYER...................................................................................................................MINISTER JODELL ROBERTS HYMN.......................................................................................................................................................... ”CITY OF GOLD”

There’s a city of light where there cometh no night, ‘Tis a city of beauty untold; All my treasures are there and it’s beauty I’ll share, When I get to that city of gold.

When I leave all trouble and care, I will say good morning up there; I will have great gladness untold, When I get to that city of gold

There’s no sorrow up there in that city so fair And no sickness can enter I’m told; Shadows all will have flown, I will meet friends I’ve known, When we get to that city of gold.

Won’t you go there with me to the home of the free, Would you see heaven’s beauty unfold?

If you will come along, we will sing heaven’s sing When we get to that city of gold.

TRIBUTE TO BLONDHILDA AND DOUGLAS...................................MR. LYNDON JOHNSON (NEPHEW AND GODSON) SCRIPTURE READING...............................1 CORINTHIANS CH 15 V 50-58..........................MR. AMOS ROLLE (NEPHEW) HYMN........................................................................................................................................................... ”IT IS FINISHED”

There’s a line that’s been drawn through the ages On that line stands the old rugged cross In that cross a battle is raging For the gain of mans soul or his loss.

On one side match the forces of evil All the demons and devils of hell On the other the angels of glory And they meet on Golgotha’s Hill

It is finished, the battle is over It is finished, there’ll be no more war It is finished, the end of the conflict It is finished and Jesus is Lord.

The earth shakes with force of the conflict And the sun refuses to shine For there hangs God’s Son in the balance And then through the darkness He cries.

EULOGY AND COMMITTAL............................................................................................................PASTOR IRENE RUSSELL PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY...............................................................................................................PASTOR IRENE RUSSELL RECESSIONAL HYMN...................................................................................................................... ”GLAD REUNION DAY”

A Farewell Message E D N A M A E J O H N S O N

G L A D R E U N I O N D AY

There will be a happy meeting in Heaven, I know When we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below Gathered on that blessed hilltop with hearts all aglow That will be a glad reunion day A glad day, a wonderful day Glad day, a glorious day There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay That will be a glad reunion day There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay That will be a glad reunion day When we live a million years in that wonderful place Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His face It will seem but just a moment of praising God’s grace That will be a glad reunion day

As my journey continues, it is so hard to say goodbye. We were four sisters myself the youngest and now the only one left. While I never met my second sister Olene, who died at a very young age, I was always protected by you and Shirley. As sisters we possessed individual characteristics and hobbies but with a common interest in gardening.

Nurtured by our Christian parents, our young lives began at Lace Thorpe, Prospect Ridge, where our parents were employed and we lived in a humble cottage on the property. Growing up we explored the great outdoors at Lace Thorpe and neighboring vast lands in Prospect Ridge.

Our past time included picking coco plums and catching lizards to feed our lazy cat. This practice abruptly ended when Mum threatened that the lizards would bring firewood to burn us in hell when we died for killing them.

By marriage I inherited a big brother in Douglas.

He also treated me with love and respect. I have fond memories of Doug and I on his bicycle with me in the back carrier following fire engines and exploring hurricane devastation and damage.

Blondie and Douglas our journey together is my greatest treasure and I shall never forget them as I struggle to say goodbye. Blondie thank you for always being my loving and protective sister.

Love you both forever,

Edna

D &B

Douglas Blondie

Thank You

We are truly touched by your acts of kindness and support in sharing our grief and loss. Your prayers, visits, telephone calls and words of encouragement have made our loss easier to bear.

Thank you so much and may the Lord continue to bless and keep each of you.