Princess Elizabeth Penn-Simms was born on the 27th June 1960 to the Late Kathleen and Late Oscar Penn. She had 6 siblings, 4 of whom predeceased her, the Late Rick Penn, the Late Rudy Penn, the Late Henry and the Late Joycelyn Penn. Her immediate elder brother, Edward Penn and sister, Alice Penn Coakley lives on with precious memories of all their siblings including her. She was nicknamed and affectionately called “Ponka” by many. She attended Tathberry Primary School on Mackey Street until her family moved to the big island of Grand Bahama. In Grand Bahama, she attended and graduated from both Hawksbill Junior High School and Hawksbill Senior High School. She graduated at the age of 16 with a high school diploma.
At the age of 14, Princess was introduced to Brady Simms, better known in those days as “Sugar”. Brady knew that Princess was still in school and said that he would wait for her to graduate from high school to make her his bride. Princess moved back to Nassau at the age of 18. Princess was always happy and full of life. Her happiness continued when she married the man of her dream, Brady in September 1978. To add to her happiness, in October 1978, they had their first born, a bouncing baby boy, Dominic Adolphus. They carried on with their happiness as they had Dominique Elizabeth and Dominica Alice. Princess loved and cared deeply for all of her children on one accord. She showed no one more love than the other. She even took the marriage vows of her son seriously as she adored her daughter-in-law, Kamilah. On the other hand, when it came to her grandchildren she thought that they were the best thing to happen to her since her marriage and her children. She adored all three of her grandchildren, Dominic Adolphus Simms Jr., Amelia Danielle Simms and Dior Sky Elizabeth Williams and spent time with them daily.
Princess starting working at a very young age in order to make sure she helped her husband in providing for their family. Her first job was at the International Bazaar, Downtown Nassau then onto City Markets. Her last job and one that she enjoyed over the past 25 years and until her untimely passing was at the Ministry of Tourism of The Bahamas as a Senior Manager. She enjoyed going to work every morning. She enjoyed the persons she worked with and never complained about any of them. Her many years of being at the Ministry showed that she was the true “Ambassador of Tourism”, as she claimed herself to be.
Princess enjoyed life. She loved to socialize and travel. She loved even more to socialize and travel with her family and close friends whom she cherished dearly. If she could have taken everyone on her vacation trips she would have. She always ensured that everyone was happy. She would be the life of the party as she was the one to take charge and make sure that everyone was also having a good time. Princess shared often a big smile which will live forever in everyone’s mind and heart.
Princess went on to be with her Heavenly Father alongside her beloved husband, Brady on Thursday, 19th May 2016.
Brady Adolphus Simms was born on the 30th September 1956, to the Late Iceland McBride and the Late Nixon Simms on the small island of Moore’s Island in the Abacos. He lived in Moore’s Island with his grandparents the Late Essie and Late Henry Davis and enjoyed many days with his brother, Nixon there on the island. He graduated at the age of 17 from Moore’s Island All Age School and moved to Nassau to live with his sister, Curlene, and join the Royal Bahamas Police Force as a Fireman. After completing training at the Police College he was transferred to Grand Bahama where he met the love of his life, Princess. He returned to Nassau after completing the required time in Grand Bahama and worked actively in the Fire Department.
When Brady met Princess she was 14 years old but he was willing to wait for her to become of age. They later became one in September 1978 and welcomed their first born, Dominic Adolphus. Dominique Elizabeth and Dominica Alice later joined the joyous family. Brady enjoyed the company of his loving wife and children. They took many family vacations together even with his daughter-in-law, Kamilah and grandchildren, Dominic and Amelia. Though his time was short with granddaughter, Dior he cherished every minute he spent time with her. Brady loved his children and grandchildren wholeheartedly.
After 35 years of service as a Fireman, Brady retired. He loved the service so much that he returned as a Police Reserve and a Bailiff in the Supreme Court. His last Bailiff appointment, before his unexpected passing, was with His Lordship Mr. Justice Bernard Turner whom he enjoyed working with. He use to speak about work daily proving his enjoyment.
Brady, a humble man, enjoyed life like his wife, Princess. He always made sure that his wife was happy then in line would be his children and grandchildren. He made sure that they were happy firstly and then others. His family was his life. Family vacations were a big part of Brady’s life. He would not only take his family on vacations but would also visit his family, namely his sister Eloese while on vacation. He didn’t keep much friends but those that he kept were close. He had a close knit friend circle and every time they got together they enjoyed the time spent. He too had a smile that would never be forgotten.
Brady went on to be with his Heavenly Father alongside his treasured wife, Princess on Thursday, 19th May 2016.
Cherished memories will forever linger in the hearts of their:
CHILDREN: P.C 2627 Dominic, Dominique and Dominica Simms;
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW: Kamilah Simms;
SON-IN-LAW: Roberto Williams;
GRAND-CHILDREN: Dominic Jr., Amelia Simms and Dior Williams;
BRADY’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY:
SISTERS: Curlene Johnson-Harty and Elouise Johnson-Sutherland; BROTHER: Nixon Simms; BROTHER-INLAW: Conrad Sutherland; SISTER-IN-LAW: Jennifer Simms; NIECES: Marva Heastie (Perry), Laschelle Wiecek (Thomas), Rayne Heastie, Abigail, Maachah, Talitha Lawrence, Kenya (Gregory), Keva (Josh), Kerstella, Kamilah & Kaylar Simms; Nephews: Marvin Campbell (Deborah), Gregory Johnson (Azuca), Fabian Campbell (Latoya), Ashur and Enos Lawrence and Kendrick Simms (Tamara);
PRINCESS’ IMMEDIATE FAMILY:
SISTER: Alice Coakley; BROTHER: Edward Penn; BROTHER-IN-LAW: Michael Coakley; SISTERS-IN-LAW: Evangeline and Marva Penn; NIECES: Sharon Seymour (Floyd), Sheena Burrows-Cox (Flavio), Sharo Burrows (Hermes), Raquel Burrows (James), Princess, Judy and Hazel Penn, Roselyn Adderley (Carl), Dr. Jacqueline PennKnowles (Charles), Anya Penn-McIntosh (Jevon), Brenda Benton, Sandra Fanakos, Hope Thompson- Watson, Cheryl, Denise and Latika Penn W/ SGT. 1889 Tonya Thompson Moss; NEPHEWS: Cyril Smith (Ettamae), Aaron Forbes, Dario Burrows (Marcia), Charon Penn (Shericka), Randy and Troy Penn, Torriano Penn (Jody), Anthony, Rudyard Jr., Rico, Wellington, Micha, Paul, Chris and Denbri Penn, Rodriego, Demetrius and Sean Thompson; BEST FRIEND: Deborah Pinder;
BOTH PRINCESS & BRADY OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIEND INCLUDING:
Denalee Penn, Charles & Virginia Outten & Family, Alva Coakley & Family, William & Alice Grant, Natasha & Prescott Wallace, Monika Grant, Charles Grant, Ural Burrows & Family, Bridget Outten & Family, Carla & Bernie Minnis, Charmaine Stuart, Whitlean Dorsett & Family, Leslie & Sabrina Ingraham, Marcia Johnson, Judy Gardiner, Sophia Butler, Randolph & Sanora Knowles, Ann Kelley, Glenwood Coakley, Shenicka Knowles, Christina Brennon,
Pauline Lightbourne, Alton & Christine Mckenzie, Lathera, Latara Dana & Family, Jimmy & Gail Davis & Family, The Nassau Village Community, Management & Staff of Supreme Court, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and The Royal Bahmas Police Force, Police Reserves, Gaming Board Enforcement Department, Blunsheba Miller, Lionel Penn, John Penn, Lee Penn, Dayna Wilson, Christine and Bethsheba Lightbourne, Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Rt. Hon Perry G. Christie, Rt. Hon Hubert A. Ingraham, Justice Bernard Turner, Hon. Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, Ron O. Pinder, Dion Smith, Diedre Maycock, Registrar General Department, Rev. Melvin Grant, Rev. Robert McKinney, Adrian Fox, Paul Robinson & Family, Dino & Karen Josey, Norma & Emmitt Farrington, Norma Fynes, Terry Ward, Marion Astwood, Edward & Fredrick Anderson, Diana Ferguson, Terria Butler, Desire and Emily Robinson, Ricardo Neely, Sir Durward Knowles, Nakeisha Humes, Bernadette Morris, Caroline Williamson, Nadia Brown, Margaret Newbold, Naomi Wood, Gaynell Dames, Audrey Demeritte, Meconald Penn, Tracey Charlow, Monique Dawkins, Wellington Smith, Claudette Whyms, Davio Rolle, Michelle Ritchie, Stanley Bernard (Gloria) Leamshould & Bernadette Morris, Kaysa Hanna, Demiko Hunter, Michael Fernander, Althea Smith, Michelle Webb, Shanta Goodman, Kenny, Brendia Bain, Dellareese & Cheryl Grant, Rossmarie Moree, Queenie Newton, Georgette Stubbs, Karen Russell, Charles, Virginia and Bridget Outten, Carla and Bernard Minnis, Alice, Monika and Cahrles, Grant, Natasha and Prescott Wallace, Lee Peen, Sharmaine, Sharvonne and Dr. Sheema Smith, Prince and Princess Cornish, Rose Hanna, Ketchner, Clement, Agatha and Peggie Penn, Eunice an Lucy Penn of Florida, Anne Penn, Elizabeth Smith, Queenie Hanna-Newton, Deloris Lightbourne, Alecia and Nathaniel Morris, Dorothyia and Peter Norman of the U. K., Heartlyn Moss, Pauline and Bethsheva Lightbourne, Christine and Lance Darville, Ina Smith, George II and Sheryl Smith, Ester and Nolan Dorsette, Bobby Lightbourne, Robert and Vallie Stubbs, Sherika and Sheryl Penn, Wally and Robert Stubbs, Joyce Pinder, Keith Coakley, Terrance Mackey, Elivita Black, Rev. Fredrick McAlpine, Sade Evans, Nadia and Clement Penn and a host of relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force Military Funeral
Prelude | R.B.P.F Choir
Procession of Ministers, Color Party & Casket
Opening Sentences
Opening Hymn | ““All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name”
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all!
O seed of Israel’s chosen race now ransomed from the fall, hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace, and crown him Lord of all!
Opening Prayer | Pastor James Newry
Let every tongue and every tribe responsive to his call, to him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all. To him all majesty ascribe, and crown him Lord of all!
Oh, that with all the sacred throng we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.
First Scripture Reading | 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13 | Debra Pinder
Musical Selection | Dwight Armbrister
As I Knew Him | Jimmy Davis
Musical Selection | “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” | Ministry Of Tourism Choir
As I Knew Her | Alva Coakley
Musical Selection | Clement Penn
Tributes | Aaron Forbes (Nephew)
Fire Department and Supreme Court
Rev. Fredrick McAlpine
Special Guest Appearance | “The Singing Bishop” Bishop Lawrence Rolle
Second Scripture Reading | Inderia Kelly
Musical Selection | Royal Bahamas Police Force Choir
Remarks | The Commissioner of Police
The Hon. Minister of National Security
The Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe, M.P.
Minister of Tourism
Hymn | “And It Can Be”
And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: thee Immortal dies: Who can explore His strange design? In vain the firstborn seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine. ’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more.
He left His Father’s throne above So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race: ’Tis mercy all, immense and free, For O my God, it found out me!
Eulogy | Rev. Christopher Russell
Closing Prayer
Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains feel off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach thee eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Recessional Hymn | “We’re Marching To Zion”
Come, we that love the Lord, And let our joys be known; Join in a song with sweet accord, Join in a song with sweet accord And thus surround the throne, And thus surround the throne.
Chorus:
We’re marching to Zion, Beautiful, beautiful Zion; We’re marching upward to Zion, The beautiful city of God.
Let those refuse to sing, Who never knew our God; But favorites of the heavenly King, But favorites of the heavenly King May speak their joys abroad, May speak their joys abroad
The hill of Zion yields A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields, Before we reach the heav’nly fields, Or walk the golden streets, Or walk the golden streets.
Procession of Ministers, Color Party
& Casket
Opening Remarks
Hymn | “Gathering Buds”
Jesus has taken a beautiful bud, Out of our garden of love, Borne it away to the city of God, Home of the angels above.
Chorus:
Gathering buds, gathering buds, Wonderful care will be giv’n; Jesus is gathering day after day, Buds for the palace of heav’n.
Full blooming flowers alone will not do, Some must be young and ungrown; So the frail buds He is gathering, too, Beautiful gems for His throne.
Fathers and mothers, weep not or be sad, Still on the Savior rely; You shall behold them again and be glad, Beautiful flowers on high.
Blooming in beauty in heaven they are, Blooming for you and for me; Follow the Lord, tho’ the city be far, Till our bright blossoms we see.
Then let our songs abound, And every tear be dry; We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground, To fairer worlds on high, To fairer worlds on high.
The Committal | The Rev’d Father Stephen Davies
Hymn | “When Peace Like A River”
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.
Chorus: It is well, it is well, With my soul, with my soul, It is well; it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Words
of Comfort
| Evergreen Mortuary
My sin, oh, the bliss 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
Benediction
Closing Hymn | “Eastern Gate”
I will meet you in the morning, Just inside the Eastern Gate; Then be ready, faithful pilgrim, Lest with you it be too late.
Chorus:
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.
If you hasten off to glory, Linger near the Eastern Gate, For I’m coming in the morning; So you’ll not have long to wait.
Keep your lamps all trimmed and burning; For the Bridegroom watch and wait; He’ll be with us at the meeting Just inside the Eastern Gate.
Oh, the joys of that glad meeting
With the saints who for us wait! What a blessed, happy meeting
Just inside the Eastern Gate!
