I Williams

Inez Yvonne Williams

Inez Yvonne Williams was born 25th June 1931 to Fred & Nellie Bridgewater nee Hepburn in the quaint settlement of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, Inez was the sixth of seven children, and the last girl.

Possessing an uncanny vision, she was in many ways ahead of her time, and she attacked life with unusual vigour. A girl of adventurous spirit, she was a lover of the sea and sailing, a tradition to which she was born and as early as age 12 she took to the sea alone in sail boats and no doubt spent many hours dreaming of her future.

Like many of her contemporaries, Inez placed premium value on education. She attended the Duncan Town All Age School where she was eventually promoted to the position of monitor. Having exhausted all educational opportunities on Ragged Island, in her late teens she left the island of her birth and moved to New Providence for further studies and training to pursue a career in nursing.

However, the clouds of chance and circumstance often overshadow the plans of men and before she completed her nursing training love intervened when she met Okellyn Williams. They eventually married in 1951 and began their life together.

After the birth of her first child, the exigencies of life required her to suspend her nursing studies and join the workforce. She served as housekeeper and on the domestic staff in anumber of homes and private establishments on the Western Road.

Although she was employed for a number of years, her visionary spirit engendered entrepreneurial fervour in the heart of this uncommon lady and she determined that it was necessary that her children meet her at home when they return from school. This gave rise in the mid 1960s to her opening her first business the Bird Cage Bar. She would later spread her wings and

open Tim’s Bargain Mart, a food store, in the mid 1970s. Her demonstrated business acumen led to the success of both establishments which provided the financial stability that Inez insisted her family, which by now included her six children, would have and the bar and the shop became community touchstones which were interwoven into the lives of the wider Farrington Road community.

Although Inez was raised in the Anglican communion in Ragged Island once she married she began attended St Joseph’s Catholic Church, where all her children were raised. She ensured that she instilled in her children a healthy respect for God, which she inculcated through daily family prayers and Bible reading, and reinforced by an uncompromising and firm discipline.

In 1983, Inez decided that her life, though colourful and meaningful, was incomplete without a total surrender to Jesus Christ, which she purposed in her heart to do. Shortly thereafter, while listening to the radio one Sunday evening in May, she heard an advertisement for a Gospel crusade that was being held at the site of what is now the Town Centre Mall.

She attended the following Monday night and, after hearing the gospel preached by Evangelist George H. Rainey, was baptised two days later. The persons baptised in this crusade formed the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church of which she was a founding member.

Inez loved her God and her church, and served in many capacities, particularly

in Sabbath School and Community Services. She often worked and socialised with Sisters Myrtis Moncur and Martha Rolle, whose company, drive and advice she appreciated and valued.She approached her church duties with the same fervour and zeal for excellence as she did everything in her life. Hers is a legacy of dedication and commitment to service.

In her mid fifties, Inez decided to retire from her entrepreneurial pursuits and to commit herself to church work and personal gardening.

Sometime in her early 70s, she noticed that her mental faculties were diminishing, something which she indicated to very few people. This mental deterioration was interminable and merciless, eventually robbing her of her memories, her thoughts and her physical abilities.

While it was excruciating watching this giant of a woman waste away, those times were punctuated with moments of hope and mirth as she would experience and demonstrate brief periods of lucidity.

On the afternoon of December 10, 2016, at her home on Carmichael Road, Inez breathed for the last time and transitioned peacefully from this mortal coil. We are confident that having cast her lot with Jesus, she sleeps awaiting the first resurrection of the second advent.

Let us each commit ourselves to Jesus and His way so that we too may see Him as our friend and saviour. ~

Inez is survived by...

Her Children: Donna Turnquest; Gary, Robert, Mark and Timothy Williams; and Audley Mitchell

One Son-in-law: George Turnquest

Five Daughters-in-law: Portia Williams, Sandra Williams, Carolyn Williams, Yvelise Williams and Monique Mitchell

Fourteen Grand children: Nicole Sutherland-King, Danielle Sutherland, Andra Sutherland, Romeo Kingsley and Gabrielle Williams, Howard and Xavier Williams, Marques, Durelle and Malcolm Williams, Daniel Williams, Torey Rodney and Victoria and Andria Willaims.

Six Great Grand children: Lyric Culmer, Zion King, Jalen Cartwright; Alijah, Ayden Aaron Butler

One Brother: Harold Bridgewater

One Sister: Williamae “Peggy” Bridgewater

Two Uncles: Simon and Elvin Bridgewater

One Aunt: Verva Wallace

Numerous nieces, nephews and friends including the Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church family, the Ragged Island family, Mr. Fred Neely and the Neely family; Mrs. Carol Thompson; Mrs. Olga Higgs and the Higgs family; Mrs. Ethel Claridge and the Claridge Family; Nurse Karen Peterson, Koreen and Morissa Peterson; her caretakers Tina, Wendy, and Tiffany; Dr. Agreta Eneas-Carey, and numerous friends, wellwishers and prayer warriors.

Inez Yvonne Williams ORDER OF SERVICE

Musical Prelude ............................... Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church Choir

Processional Family

Opening Remarks................................................................... Dr. Michael D. Toote

Opening Hymn .......................................“How Cheering Is the Christian’s Hope”

“How Cheering Is the Christian’s Hope”

How cheering is the Christian’s hope, While toiling here below!

It buoys us up while this passing through This wilderness of woe,

It buoys us up while this passing through This wilderness of woe, It buoys us up while passing through This wilderness of woe.

It points us to a land of rest, Where saints with Christ will reign; Where we shall meet the loved of earth, And never part again.

Fly, lingering moments, fly, O, fly, Dear Saviour, quickly come!

We long to see Thee as Thou art, And reach that blissful home.

Opening Prayer .................................................................... Pator Lynden Williams

Old Testament Scripture ..................................................................... Job 19:23 - 27 Nicole Sutherland-King Grand-daughter

Special Music ............................. Carol Thompson & Daniel Williams, Grandson

Condolences ......................... Ruth Miller, Senior Minister, Golden Gates Assembly

As I Knew Her................................................................. Fred Neely, Family Friend

Condolences Pastor Ed Dorsett, East Street Gospel Chapel

Congregational Hymn ...............................................“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

“Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

The strife is o’er, the battle done; Now is the victor’s triumph won! Now be the song of praise begun. Alleluia!

The pow’rs of death have done their worst, But Christ their legions has dispersed. Let shouts of holy joy outburst. Alleluia!

The three sad days have quickly sped, He rises glorious from the dead. All glory to our risen head! Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded You, From death’s sting free Your servants too, That we may live and sing to You. Alleluia!

As I Knew Her......................................................... Martha Rolle, Friend and more Condolences .......................... Andrew Pinder, Arawak Homes & Sunshine Group My Sister ..................................................... Williamae “Peggy” Bridgewater, Sister Congregational Hymn ........................................ “A Shelter in the Time of Storm”

1. The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, 2. A shade by day, defense by night, A shelter in the time of storm; A shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, No fears alarm, no foes afright, A shelter in the time of storm. A shelter in the time of storm.

Mighty Rock in a weary land, Cooling shade on the burning sand, Faithful guide for the pilgrim band— A shelter in the time of storm.

3. The raging storms may round us beat, 4. O Rock divine, O Refuge dear, A shelter in the time of storm A Shelter in the time of storm; We’ll never leave our safe retreat, Be Thou our helper ever near, A shelter in the time of storm. A Shelter in the time of storm.

“A Shelter in the Time of Storm”

Condolences Paul A. Scavella, President, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Leonard A. Johnson, President, Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists

New Testament Scripture ................................................ I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Marques Williams, Grandson

Musical Tribute ............................... Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church Choir

Homily .........................................................................Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe, Former Pastor, Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church Vice-President, South Bahamas Conference Retirees Association

Prayer for the Family ........................................................................ Eric D. Clarke Director, Atlantic Caribbean Union of Seventh-day Adventists

Recessional Hymn

“For All the Saints”

1. For all the saints

“For All the Saints”

3. O may Thy soldiers, who from their labours rest, faithful, true, and bold, Who thee by faith Fight as the saints before the world confessed. who nobly fought of old, Thy name, O Jesus, And win with them be forever blest. the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock,

4. And when the strife is fierce, their Fortress and their Might; the warfare long, Thou, Lord, their captain Steals on the ear in the well-fought fight; the distant triumph song, Thou, in the darkness drear, And hearts are brave again, their one true light. and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, Thro’ gates of pearl streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

Alleluia!

Inez Yvonne Williams

G R a VESIDE Hymn S

“And Can It Be”

1.And can it be that I should gain

2. He left his Father’s throne above an interest in the Savior’s blood! so free, so infinite his grace!; Died he for me? who caused his pain! emptied himself of all but love, For me? who him to death pursued? and bled for Adam’s helpless race. Amazing love! How can it be ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free, that thou, my God, shouldst die for me? for O my God, it found out me!

Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

3. Long my imprisoned sprit lay,

4. No condemnation now I dread; fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Jesus, and all in him, is mine; thine eye diffused a quickening ray; alive in him, my living Head, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; and clothed in righteousnes divine, my chains fell off, my heart was free, bold I approach th’ eternal throne, I rose, went forth, and followed thee. and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

“It is Well”

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin–oh, the joy of this glorious thought–My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.

“Glad Reunion Day”

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

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

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

“When The Roll is Called Up Yonder”

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more, And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair; When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning, when the dead in Christ shall rise, And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care, Then, when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there.

It may be at morn, when the day is awaking, When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking, That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory To receive from the world His own.

O Lord Jesus, how long, how long Ere we shout the glad song? Christ returneth, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen, Hallelujah! Amen.

It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives His own.

O joy! O delight! should we go without dying, No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying, Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory, When Jesus receives His own.

“It May Be at Morn”

– nice E – inergetic Z – zealous

Mom, I take the time to say thank you for putting up with me.

I know it was not easy, but in those hard times you were there for me. You were a strong, praying woman who never gave up on me and for that I am thankful.

Your prayers and determination made a man out of me.

Thank you Mom!

Love always, Gary

The prodigal who came home.

I remember the time you took me to the kitchen and taught me to cook, because, you said, a young man should know how to cook.

I remember the time you taught me to sew.

I remember you teaching me music.

I remember you teaching me mathematics, Bible lessons, studying the Students’ Companion and reading the Royal Readers with me.

There is so much you taught me that I cannot begin to say.

I can still hear your melodious voice as you would cook, and clean the house; you sang the songs of Zion.

I can and will always remember. Your voice is forever still on this side, but I will always remember.

Love, Robert

Pall Bearers

Ha

We the family of Inez Williams would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation for the kind expressions of love, sympathy and encouragement expressed during our time of bereavement. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

~ The Family