Her Life
February is a time for love, and love it was on February 10th 1962 as the late oliver and brenda lynes welcomed a beautiful chocolate baby girl into their family. She was named gwendolyn albertha lynes, and affectionately called ‘bertha’. throughout her lifetime those that new and loved her gave her many names including; ‘Queen’, ‘Kid’, ‘Dark and lovely’, ‘ebony’ and of course the infamous ‘bertha from bahamsair’. as a child, bertha enjoyed many things including cooking, making dresses for her dolls, playing bat ‘n ball, hopscotch, jacks, and modeling. an expert with a sharp eye, bertha was called on many occasions to rescue her brothers when they lost their ‘guppies’ in a game of marbles. as a child, the church was a big part of her life, and missing services was never an option. Singing in the choir with her siblings and other children in the community at mt. pleasant green baptist Church was something bertha enjoyed.
a time to be eDuCateD (ConneCting to eDuCation)
albertha began her early education as all the children in the Strachan’s Corner Community did at W.v eneas preschool. upon completion of kindergarten, she transferred to Centerville Primary School where according to her principal Mrs. J. Thompson she was one of the first students to pass the entrance exam and with flying colors. Bertha continued her education and graduated from the C.C. Sweeting Senior High School. She was never one to settle and was zealous for learning and finding ways for career advancement. To this end, she enrolled in and completed courses at the nassau academy of business and the the College of the bahamas.
a time to WorK a very hard working woman, bertha entered the workforce at the tender age of 17. She commenced her career at eddies Department Store, where she tailored shirts that were sold in the store. albertha loved to sew. She could see something in a magazine or on a collection and cut it freehand precisely as she had seen it. it was a beautiful gift from god that she used thoroughly. She was also employed at bailey tailoring making uniforms for the police. the same uniforms that she would one day wear with pride. as a young mother, bertha was determined to advance herself for the benefit of her children. As a result, she applied to bahamasair and began her career as a seamstress making uniforms for the staff. albertha saw this entry level post as an opportunity and was steadfastly pursuing managers for any vacancies for promotion. Finally, after a few years, she was transferred to the switchboard as an operator. She was very good at what she did, but as a people’s person, she desired to be face to face with clients. the management team, taking note of her warm personality decided that she would do well in the City Ticket Office (CTO). the moment she began, she built an incredible rapport with customers;

she excelled and was often called upon to serve as acting supervisor of the ticket office. This training was not in vain as she was later promoted to the position of Sales Supervisor. bertha was then transferred to the airport Counter, where she met and interacted with many persons who would become lifelong friends. after a few years, she was promoted to Cto manager with responsibility for the sales offices. She served in this position until her final boarding call. albertha also served as an attache’ in the baaa’s for many years and was front and center at all of the major sporting events they hosted. She enjoyed working with and assisting the athletes. on June 2007 she completed her training and was enlisted to the royal bahamas Police Force Reserves. She was posted to the Traffic Division of the RBPF and took great pride in serving her Country in this capacity. She made an indelible impression on her fellow officers and they quickly learnt of her many talents, particularly her ability to put together a five star meal. on august 1st 2016 she was promoted to the rank of Corporal. bertha was never shy about her position on the police force and wore her uniform with a flare that made you stare. In 2010 Albertha’s daughter Robyn founded ‘Core of Hope’; a non-profit organization focused on providing services and support to inner city youth. bertha served as vice president and everything else! She truly enjoyed preparing breakfast for the children and was front and center at every back to school give-away. She had the full support of bahamasair’s management and brought over back to school supplies by the boxes every year for free distribution. She made such an impression on the children and during the Summer Club they looked forward to the days when she was responsible for providing lunch and afternoon activities. She was such a generous person who gave with love and sincerity.
a time to explore Her giFtS
albertha was incredibly gifted and possessed a natural ability to be creative. She could tailor any article of clothing, make floral arrangements, prepare the tastiest of bahamian cuisine and apply make-up like a trained professional. She was called upon for almost every wedding for her nieces, nephews, close friends, and colleagues. organizing baby showers, birthday parties, graduations and any function that was being arranged was one of her passions. She was the mC, event coordinator, make-up artist, decorator, chef and Sargent at arms. Whether she had two years or two weeks’ notice she pulled it together and created an event everyone remembered. Her birthday parties became the occasion of the year and her signature of gratitude to all of her family and friends. She also enjoyed coaching young ladies for beauty pageants and channeled the many skills she acquired as a freelance model to assist them. in 2006 she became a founding member of the miss Cultural bahamas pageant Committee with specific responsibility for etiquette and training. She was honored in 2015 for her outstanding contributions to the pageant industry.
ConneCting WitH Her CHilDren
bertha’s love for her Children was the thread that was woven through the fabric of her life. every decision she made was to provide for them, and she ensured that they understood “don’t do as i do, do as i say!” She was a disciplinarian, determined to give her children the opportunities she never had. She educated them and raised them to be respectful, productive citizens. When she began her employment at bahamasair, she took full advantage of those travel opportunities and bought

groceries and clothing by the bulk. Her talents were perfected through her children. Outfits, prom dresses, school uniforms and the like were stitched with love. It didn’t matter that while she finished the uniform, they were wearing it and ready to go to school, or that the finishing touches of Robyn and Simone’s dresses were done while they were on their way to a function. She got it done! remonne, Simone, robyn, and ra’Shad were bertha’s life, and she celebrated their every achievement. always encouraging them to strive for and be the very best at whatever they did. they are undoubtedly her greatest accomplishment.
She was a phenomenal mother and arguably the most stylish, exquisite and loving grammy (oh sorry bertha) ‘nana’ in the word. When her grandchildren were born, they became the center of her universe; Kaaliyah who she affectionately called “louis’’, ariane and troy were the focus of her conversation about the future. She enjoyed every minute with them and gave them the very best of herself.
Departure
as much as bertha loved to travel she was seldom early for any check-in and would regularly call to ensure she made the flight. But on Thursday, March 15th, 2018 at 7:40 am; when passengers were called and the plane to heaven boarded she was present and on time.
left to cherish her precious memories and legacy are her:
Four children: remonne (angel), Simone-nicole Duncombe, robyn-Dawn and ra`Shad lynes. adopted Children: Sudia munroe and laShawn Cartwright. grandchildren: Kaaliyah Cooper, ariane and troy Duncombe.
Honorary mothers: abigail bethel and erma Williams.
Siblings: evangelist agnes (rollin) Carey and Carl rolle, Daphne (Qutie) miller, levi laing, ephraim, raymond, rev. Carolee (Kenneth)Wright, apostle livingstone (nickesha) lynes and elder margaret lynes-Knowles.
aunt & uncle: anna russell of Crown Heaven, abaco and Wilfred Cooper of High rock, grand bahama. nephews & nieces: elvis (gina), Jerome(Deon), michael(lillian), Keith(tracy), David(Sophia), Wayde and Wayne(genice) Carey, Dale, Sean (Jonetta), Wallace, marvin rolle, Darrin (Jasmin) and elvin rolle, reginald () leevan, troit Sr. (Shakeria), livingstone Jr., eshban (Kelly) and Joshua lynes, Kenneth (lisa), antione and Walter Wright, Kendrick (gernique) Dames, Javon (tiffany) Johnson and Wayne miller, lavardo bethel, geo Smith, anthony Deveaux Jr., tahj Francis, rudy taylor, Kelsie taylor, rodger taylor Sherry (Stephenson) gibson, Sheila(basil) pierce and Sharon Carey, Carla (gregory) armbrister, ianthe (lesley) bain, brennamae (Fernley) Cooper, brenda rolle, Cherice, Charmaine, Daphne, tamla, Shalinka, and Charity lynes, Kerryann (adeyemi) Kayode, anita (Jermaine) Dorsey, pastor Faith (nathaniel) percentie, min. Hope(Joshua) Hall, min. Charlene (rev. patrick) paul and taliste taylor and teneil Kimple, tiavannia thompson, rickyesh and Chelsea bastian, and Kristen Curry. adopted nieces and nephews: Diana Capron, Wayne Sawyer, levi macheado and Shenique Knowles. grand nephews & nieces: Donovan, eljane, evita, Deandra, Jerome Jr., Hezron Stephanie, Stephen, Stephano, Sterling, Jessica, Stacy, tiskia, perez, Kennisha, Joshua, Zipporah, Hadassah, emerald, Charlton, Kenneth, Kevin, manessa, Jade, tameka, tre’, troit Jr., Dilinco, Shaloam, Dashia, alexandria, lakia, Kalyn, Kyle, odeisha, obadiah Jr, Chadiah, Jaheem, grace, Khalil, Sapriya, trevor, valencia, trevinia, Corissa, Kishmere, leslie Jr., levanti, trinity, autumn, rhavanya, michael, regae’, reganique, reganae, Kyera, Kelvin Chernise, Kenya, Keniya and Janiya.
Cousins: evangelist mavis poitier, leanna, marilee, mae, gretel, livingstone, victoria, beulah, lois, vera, iva, ena, myrtle, mary, Daisy, Jane, Clara, ruthmae, bernice,
monica, linda, Jackie, verlene, iceletta, ishmael, Harris, Hiram, Joseph, nathaniel, timmy, emalchus, livingston, Johnny, elouise, melvenia, iva, loretta, laura, geraldine brown, levenia, vertle, perill, Deloris, Hattiemae, Floramae, Corene, Shirlene, alsaida, victoria, Joyce, annie, Hilton, nehemiah, percy, vernal, Wilmon, eric, gladstone, Horatio, Joey, Johnny, Darling, lean, Floramae, louisa, ellamae, Henry, Walter, Joseph, edison and alfred.
Honorary brothers: george ‘ boomer’ armbrister, michael Sands( mike), prince Storr, Henry major ,mr. leslie miller, rasheal & paul bevans ,gary ‘Super’ Johnson, Denzel ‘Danny’ marsh, Frederick Cooper Sr., ivan Francis, goldie, paul barnett, Charles Sawyer, Don Davis and Superintendent anthony Curtis.
Honorary Sisters: Susan palmer, Sabrina Francis, audrey Smith ,Jackie, marsha, tracey, and lisa bethel, Jackie (Jacquelyn) Cooper, Kim thurston, Shavon ramsey, Deidre taylor, lisa Quinn-brown of bermuda, martha Sturrup, rosalind Curry, Janice archer, Jacquelyn Kinglangner, melanie Swaby, pamela rahming-Deveaux and rona gibson-major. godchildren: nadia mcintosh, Simeon lopez, onassis Hall, anishka, vanell neily, Stephanie munroe, marisha Cartwright, Walterez and Walter palmer Jr., Caleb Sawyer, Jadavinique, phylicia Cooper, Charity lynes, rashae Sands, nola , eldridge Walker, anaan rahming, Cameron Johnson. relatives and Close Friends: Officers and Members of the Voice of the Watchman ministries, management & Staff of bahamasair Holdings ltd (especially oakes Field & palmdale Ctos), the royal bahamas police Force (especially Traffic Division & Reserves Squad C (2007)), The Hon. philip ‘brave’ (ann marie) Davis, the rt. Hon. perry g. Christie & bernadette Christie, mr. bradley roberts, the South beach branch and the Women’s branch of the plp & other party supporters, the Centerville primary School 50th anniversary alumni Committee, the Sporting Community, the btC Family, Sgt. Wright & Criminal Records Office, Steven Rose & the Acklins Community, Vernincha butler, andy Ford, allan Sweeting, Suffragran bishop Christopher minnis & the greater bethel Cathedral Family, apostle John mohorn and the Word of the living god ministries Family, apostle george and master prophet Saveletta Fowler & the Final Hour Family, apostle J. rodney roberts & the Five porches of Deliverance Family, pastor u. alexander Davidson and the tboJC Family, pastor tyrone mott and the Word alive ministries Family, pastor ellison greenslade and the bible truth ministries Family, pastor randy (Jackie) Hanna, pastor mario moxey & bHC Family, Father i. ranfurly brown, Dr. eugene (geleta) gray, tito Collie, ernestine (anthony) bartlette, erica lamm, Cheff, veronica bain, elton and Cassandra Cooper, paul rolle, paul Smith, paul Fernander, Delano, David Wilson , Catrina Jones, patricia mitchell, perky obrien, phyllis Johnson, mrs. eleka (phillip) Clarke, marguerite Dean-pierre, Don Davis, trevor Davis & Family the Heild, laing, murphy, Smith, Coakley, Ferguson, edgecombe, rahming, Williams, nesbitt, mackey, major, rolle, Cooper, innis, maycock and Johnson Families, the music makers Junkanoo organization, the emerald gardens, Strachan’s Corner, Fritz lane, thompson lane, Fowler St. & Ft. Hill Families and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Service
moDerator | musical prelude
Seating of the Family entrance of the body opening Sentence
invoCation | pastor u. alexander Davidson (t.b.o.J.C.)
Hymn | through all the changing scenes of life
through all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my god shall still my heart and tongue employ.
oh, magnify the lord with me, With me exalt His name; When in distress to Him i called, He to my rescue came.
the hosts of god encamp around the dwellings of the just; Deliverance He affords to all Who on His succor trust.
oh, make but trial of His love, experience will decide How blest they are, and only they, Who in His truth confide.
Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; make you His service your delight, your wants shall be His care.
olD teStament | rev. martha Sturrup | Job 14 verse 1-4 Honorary Sister
Solo | psalmist tameka taylor (Family Friend)
neW teStament reaDing | pastor elect Kelson lightbourn voice of the Watchman ministries (Home Church) St. John Chapter 14 verses 1-6
WorDS From WitHin | the Children (original song performed by remonne Duncombe (Son))
tributeS | The Rahming Brothers (a token from george ‘boomer’ armbrister and prince Storr (Honourary brothers))
Mrs. Judith Thompson, Mike Sands and Marsha Bethel (Former primary School principal, and Honorary brother and Sister respectively)
remarKS | Mr. Tracey Cooper (managing Director of bahamasair Holdings ltd.) representative from the royal bahamas police Force
The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie (Former pm of the Commonwealth of the bahamas)
The Hon. Philip Brave Davis (member of parliament For Cat island, rum Cay & San Salvador and Leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition)
Solo | psalmist Dianna Capron
eulogy | apostle John mohorn (Word of the living god ministry, pompano beach Fl.)
prayerS For tHe Family | prophetess Saveletta Fowler (Final Hour global ministries)
reCeSSional Hymn | When the home gates swing open for me
i am on the upward road leading to that bright abode, Where forever my so shall be free, (shall be free)
Won’t that be a happy time, Heaven’s bells will sweetly chime, When the home-gates swing open for me.
(Chorus
That will be, a happy time, When the clouds have passed away. From my cares, I shall be free, When the home-gates swing open for me.
i’ll keep walking in His light, ‘till my faith shall end in sight, He shall lead me to safe o’er the sea, (o’er the sea) I will find a welcome there, and a crown of glory wear, When the home-gates swing open for me.
tho’ sometime the path may lead through the veil of sin and greed, Jesus ever my refuge will be, (will be) Soon at home my trials o’er, i shall praise him evermore. When the home-gates swing open for me.