CLARENCE MATURAH
Sir
Love...
Sixty-Two Years
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Romans 12:9-10 (Message)
...NEVER DIES
CLARENCE MATURAH
Sir
CLARENCE MATURAH
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TO SIR...
WITH LOVE
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CLARENCE MATURAH
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“SIR” – THE PATRIARCH Clarence George “Sir” Maturah was born on May 13, 1929 in Gayle, St. Mary to Japheth Maturah and Susan Jackson. He was the fourth of eight children. He attended Gayle All Age School. His mother died when he was nine years old. Fortunately, his father was with him long enough to witness the birth of his children and sometime after. After his mother died, and more so after his father died, he became a leader in his family. There was a girl in the district of Gayle that caught Clarence’s attention and he had his eyes on her. He would “show up” at her house. The story is, he told her “from mi a bwoy an si yu a pass, mi no se yu a di one”- translated, I have been watching you since I was younger and just knew that you were the one. It took some years, including a love letter, for Clarence to make progress with Sybil. Finally, in 1956 it became official. Clarence Maturah and Sybil Johnson got married on September 28, 1958. From that union came a boy (Norman) and a girl (Audrey), and Clarence gained stepchildren, whom he considered and referred to as his children.
In August 1962, Clarence and his family relocated to Ocho Rios - Eltham, St. Ann. He worked at Texaco and Esso gas stations until he bought a car and started a taxi service. He was always pleasant to his passengers. To many of his passengers, he was lovingly known as Byaa. At that time, not many people in the countryside of Jamaica had vehicles. He worked day and night to make extra money to care for his family. He transported people all over the island. Clarence enjoyed being a husband and father, brother, uncle and friend; he became surrogate father to many of his children’s friends. Sir was a family man and his home was often the meeting place. At one point, Clarence was the only sibling not living in Kingston or different countries. Before there was a phone in the house, the messages were sent by telegram from his younger brother Lascelles. The message had to be concise, as the cost of sending a telegram was per word, and the message was “get goat, coming Sunday”. It was not unusual for his siblings to bring their friends for lots of talking (loudly), laughter and drinking! While living in Ocho Rios, Sir attended Bethel Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church (UPC) in 1965, where both he and his wife got baptized in the name of Jesus. They attended Bethel UPC until migrating to the United States (US). He loved watching and playing cricket, and of course dominoes. His first travel adventure was to New York in 1971 to visit his brothers Headley and Kenneth for six months. He was so excited. He readily left his taxi business to spend time with his brothers. Clarence and family migrated to the US in 1978. The family lived in Liberty City until moving
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Sir to North Miami Beach, and then Miramar. Sir’s first job in the US was as a dishwasher at the Carillon hotel in Miami Beach. The story is told that he left the house to look for a job, did not return because he actually got a job and was not able to call until later in the evening. He went on to work several jobs, mostly as a security guard. Sir would work wherever and whenever he needed to support his family. Clarence and family attended UPC of Miami, where he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the early 1990s. The night he received the Holy Ghost, he testified, “I was around Pentecost, but now Pentecost is in me!” He was a member of Faith Tabernacle for many years, where he served as a deacon and was loved by many. He loved Faith Tab and was honored to be pastored by Pastor G. Oliver Barnes, who was a longtime family friend from Jamaica. As he got older, the drive to Fort Lauderdale became more challenging and he transferred to Pentecostal Tabernacle in Miami Gardens along with his wife. He was a faithful member there until his passing. He greeted anyone that came in his path and did so with a big smile and a strong handshake. Even in his later years, he could be seen at church kneeling to pray when he got to his seat. When he was not able to play cricket anymore, he loved to watch it, along with American football. He continued to play dominoes, which was a must at family gatherings or an impromptu game when friends or family visited. His last domino game at home was about two months ago with his granddaughter and great-granddaughters. They thought perhaps he was getting tired and tried to stop at 4 games, but he had to take it to 6 love! He had a sharp memory, no need to write anything down! He was the family calculator; by the time they got a calculator he had already done it in his mind. He was never late or even on time, always early. He LOVED ice cream. He loved to prepare and drink “mixed drink” also known as wash or shandy and made the best roast beef (pot roast). In his older years, especially after retirement, he loved to sit on the front patio, whether by himself, with his wife or friends and family. He loved to talk to the neighbors, or just wave. He was the honorary “grandpa” in the neighborhood. Because he loved to be outside, it was not unusual to drive up and see him laying down on the bench on the patio. He loved spending time with family and friends, from the youngest to the oldest. When there was company, he was often the one to open the door. That is, if he was not already on the front patio of the home where he lived for 35 years, which is also where he passed away. Clarence “Sir” Maturah is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sybil Maturah; children Norman Maturah, Audrey Fletcher, Nelva Williams and Paul Lloyd and their children and grandchildren. He is survived by brother Lacscelles Maturah and his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers Headley and Kenneth, and sisters Cynthia Anglin, Monica Maturah, Joyce Maturah and Stephnie Maturah; he is survived by their children and grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by sons Leo McArthur and Clive Bernard and is survived by their children and grandchildren. Sir will be remembered by a host of family, church family, friends and neighbors.
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WISDOM Sir’s favorite quotes and sayings “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Everything is Everything”
“Everything is good”
“God is good”
“Looking good man!”
“Yeah?” (Sir’s one-word response to almost everything.)
“There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.” James Truslow Adams
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Pentecostal Tabernacle International Inc. 18415 NW 7th Ave. Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
November 28, 2020; 11:00 a.m. Officiant Pastor S. Robert Stewart
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SONGS OF HOPE & PRAISE IN THE GREAT TRIUMPHANT MORNING
In the great triumphant morning, When we hear the Bridegroom cry, And the dead in Christ shall rise, We’ll be changed to life immortal, In the twinkling of an eye, And meet Jesus in the skies. Chorus We shall all rise to meet Him, We shall all rise to greet Him, In the morning when the dead in Christ shall rise We shall all rise to meet Him, We shall all rise to greet Him, And shall have the marriage supper in the skies.
In the great triumphant morning, When the harvest is complete, And the dead in Christ shall rise, We’ll be crowned with life immortal, Christ and all the loved ones meet, In the rapture in the skies. Chorus In the great triumphant morning, All the kingdom we’ll possess, Then the dead in Christ shall rise, Reign as kings and priests eternal, Under Christ forever blest, After meeting in the skies. Chorus
In the great triumphant morning, What a happy time ’twill be, When the dead in Christ shall rise, When the Lord descends in glory, Sets His waiting children free, And we meet Him in the skies. Chorus
WHEN THEY RING THE GOLDEN BELLS There’s a land beyond the river, That we call the sweet forever, And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree; One by one we’ll gain the portals, There to dwell with the immortals, When they ring the golden bells for you and me. Chorus Don’t you hear the bells now ringing? Don’t you hear the angels singing? ’Tis the glory hallelujah Jubilee. In that far-off sweet forever, Just beyond the shining river, When they ring the golden bells for you and me.
We shall know no sin or sorrow, In that haven of tomorrow, When our barque shall sail beyond the silver sea; We shall only know the blessing Of our Father’s sweet caressing, When they ring the golden bells for you and me. Chorus When our days shall know their number, And in death we sweetly slumber, When the King commands the spirit to be free; Nevermore with anguish laden, We shall reach that lovely Eden, When they ring the golden bells for you and me. Chorus
ORDER OF SERVICE
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Family Processional Instrumental Praise & Worship Pentab Worship Ministry Opening Remarks Pastor S. Robert Stewart Prayer Pastor S. Robert Stewart Hymn of Praise Congregation When They Ring The Golden Bells Scripture Reading Keresia Lawes (Granddaughter) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Song Rowan Mullings It is Well With My Soul Remembering a Friend Felix Bisnaught (Family Friend) Kenneth Wright (Family Friend) Bishop Arthur Thomas (Family Friend) Song Ann Richards Someday The Silver Chord Will Break Video - Recorded Tribute Rev. Dr. G. Oliver Barnes (Former Pastor) Family Tributes Suzanne Lea (Niece) Poem – Arriel Maturah (Granddaughter) Norman Maturah (Son) Slideshow/Video Presentation Prepared by Nhadya Lawes (Great Granddaughter) Eulogy Audrey Fletcher (Daughter) Song of Hope Congregation In The Great Triumphant Morning Message Allison Gunter (Granddaughter) Prayer for the Family Elder Ralston McKenzie Recessional Pentab Worship Ministry
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SIBLINGS
HIS LIGHT STILL SHINES Lascelles Maturah & Family (Brother)
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Somewhere in this world a light has gone dark. In the darkness are those left picking up the pieces, moving on, and existing with a missing piece of life. The universe has taken another life from us. Family and friends, shattered, begin to mourn, and their only solace is to hold on to an uncomfortable notion that an equal reaction has occurred somewhere else in time. A light, elsewhere, has been switched on, and the sacrifice we make in our new darkness is for that soul to have reached a better place. Today and tomorrow though, we’ve won. We’ve outwitted the universe. The brightest light could never be outed. It all but flickered. What’s so pure can’t be dimmed. Count’s spirit remains with us as the walking embodiment of what is right and what ought to be. A simple life, a quiet life, an obedient life, and his reward was inner peace. Taking every opportunity to empower those around him, speaking good things over our lives, squeezing tightly when we were frail, looking into our eyes and seeing our souls, loving from a distance but never missing the chance to declare his praise, his admiration, and his love. A light that has been shared and that has touched so many lives, simply cannot go dark. The power of his life could never be undone, the walks he’s walked and the knowledge he’s shared. His moments are now our memories, but they will forever have life. Count, We exist in gratitude over your life. You were mighty in every way. We’ve been exposed to true grace and for that we can only repay you by honoring your way. Thank you. His light is with us all. Rest now, in peace, Count. Lascelles, Jheanelle, Flo, Tajh & Sanjay
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TRIBUTES
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Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family in these days of mourning, as we remember Clarence (Sir). We can remember when Clarence would be outside mowing his lawn and maintaining the palm trees and plants every week. Clarence & Sybil loved to sit outside on the front porch in the evenings enjoying the weather and their yard, and we would wave to them and greet each other. Clarence will definitely be missed dearly, as we will always remember his smile and laugh. May he Rest in Peace in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ. Michael & Gladys Torres
😢😭
Sir, Sir, Sir, I miss you already. I know that we won’t be able to come and say our proper goodbyes to a man of God that we looked up to. One thing we know, we’ll linkup with the “Kool Dude” on the other side. I pray God’s strength for Mama and the rest of the family during this time of bereavement. We love ️ our Maturah side of the family.
❤
Lloyd (Wint) & Diedre Gallimore
WALK GOOD until we meet again my beloved, sweet, smiling UNCLE. Thank you for gracing my life with your gentle, loving soul. Thank you for helping to carve all my childhood memories. They DEFINE me. YOU defined me. The Maturahs are everything to me. I am so, so grateful to have had an uncle like you whose fondness and love enveloped me for my entire life. Saying “thank you” a million times could never be enough. I will love and miss you forevermore... Your, “Miss Lea” - Suzanne Lea
Our dear Uncle, whose beautiful smile touched hearts. We love and miss you. Our family was blessed with your kind spirit and quiet dignity, and we will be forever grateful for all the ways you demonstrated your commitment to family and faith. Judith, Margaret, Nykia and Taais
TRIBUTES
CLARENCE MATURAH
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Today is a hard one for us all. It is so much easier to mourn in silence. It takes away the worry of not being able to get your words out or even just simply getting the right words out about my dear, Sir. We will all have our own personal and special memories of the mark Sir left in our hearts and in our lives, and it is very hard for me today, knowing this is my last goodbye. I am writing my own thoughts and trying my best to focus on the happiest times spent with Sir over the past 60 years, rather than the fact that he is no longer here with us today. I am certain of two things though, Sir would have wanted us all to focus today with our happiest thoughts of our times spent together, and secondly, Sir is still here with us, very strongly in spirit. He was such a strong person through and through, from character, personality, and presence. We are all here because somewhere somehow, we have all been touched by Sir. For me, Sir will always be with me. Some of my fondest memories of Sir is when I’d visit and he’d always greet me with the biggest smile, saying out loud, “Miss Mat, (Maturah) Uncle Errol is here.” You felt the genuine love and excitement being in his presence. Sir was an avid domino player and we had many battles competing with and against each other because he was extremely competitive and his number one goal was to win every game. Oh, how I’m going to miss these special moments, but I’m comforted knowing he’s now resting in the arms of the Lord. I’ll forever cherish these memories. Rest in Peace, Sir! Errol & Rose Johnson
My dear uncle, a man of indomitable spirit and grace, able to lift you up with a smile and a handshake. Beloved, beautiful, blessed, we honor this ancestral soldier. Rest in power king! Love, Courtney and Marisa
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My fondest memory of Uncle Clarence was his smile . It was a ray of sunshine and his spirit was so welcoming. He enjoyed the importance of family and spending quality time with each other. Much Love! Beloved niece, Margaret (Preston) Rest in Peace
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TRIBUTES
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SIP SIR! Gone but will never be forgotten. Thanks for all the CORNERSTONES you have carved into our lives. We will cherish each and every one of them. You were the peacemaker and the apple of everyone’s eyes. LOVE YOU . Until we meet again.
❤
Dianne Maturah & Family
Approximately 30 years ago we met the Maturahs through Sister Nelva Williams. It was an instant bond and we immediately became family. This is why it is so difficult to say goodbye. Clarence Maturah, Sir, as he’s affectionately called was a true and caring friend. His ever-smiling face would always greet us and ouch, he had one of the strongest handshakes there is. Sir was a generous man who lived by “It’s better to give than to receive”. He said more by actions instead of words. He was truly a man of God so this is really a Home Going celebration. Sir is going to be missed by our family. His legacy will continue to live on. We are all saddened by his departure from this physical world, but God knows all. The Lord giveth and he taketh away – Blessed be the name of the Lord. To Sister Maturah and the immediate family, stay strong, be of good courage, keep the faith and cherish the countless memories. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed. He heals the brokenhearted and binds their wounds. Today, let’s celebrate Sir’s new life; a life with our heavenly father Jesus. In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore. Love, Felix and Dahlia Bisnaught
Grandpa Clarence, otherwise known as Sir, was my friend; Whenever, I would go to the house to visit, he would always greet me at the door with a big smile. His favorite saying to me was, “Natalie you looking good man!” Or if I had gained some weight he would say, “But you putting on weight man!!” Sir I love and miss you daily, may your soul Rest in Peace. Natalie Williams
TRIBUTES
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I have missed Sir over the past 16 years that I have not lived in Florida, but I really miss him now. I am so grateful that God graced me with the opportunity to see him before he transitioned. Growing up, Sir was an amazing grandfather. He taught me to ride my bike, and we always watched the TV shows like, Hunter, Kojak, and The A-Team together. I think that’s where I got my interest in criminal justice. I used to watch football with Sir, and I think that is how I started to like football. Whenever I didn’t want to do my chores, I would ask Sir to do them (in my whiny voice), and he would respond in his Sir-like fashion, “aright a wi do it,” or “come, mek a do it.” He’d wash those dishes or take out the trash for me in no time. My response would usually be, “Yes”. Ha ha! I could get Sir to do just about anything for me. I think I only got a spanking from Sir once. Of course, I most definitely deserved it. Sir used to let me help him fix things, but he wasn’t very patient. I remember the night Sir received the Holy Ghost. I was so overjoyed. He has served God ever since. He was actually serving God before that because he had always been Grandma’s ride to church, and everybody called him Bro. Maturah. I am going to miss his smile and his voice. Whenever he knew that we were going to Florida, he would ask me over and over and over, “so when yu comin, next week?” Or when we were talking on the phone, he would always ask, “so ow is Greg and the boys?” I am certainly going to miss Sir. Rest peacefully, Sir, until the trumpet sounds, and you rise to meet Jesus in the air. See you in that great gettin’ up mornin’. Love, Allison (your favorite)
Sir, you are a man of few words, but left a lasting impression. I am going to miss your hearty handshake and your, “aright Greg!” whenever I came to visit or when we were leaving. Like I said, a man of few words, but I knew those words meant, good to see you again or safe travels until we meet again. So Sir, aright, until we meet again. Love, Greg
Sir instilled a lot of wisdom in me, and he let me drink coffee when my mom wasn’t watching. My memories of Sir will always be happy. I’m going to miss all those special moments with Sir whenever I visit Florida. I hope he is resting in peace. Love, Kaileb Gunter
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TRIBUTES
Sir…thank you for always being there. Always. So many things I’ll miss about you: your smile and laugh, your tight grip, your love for ice cream, your hugs, your “Hallelujah!” at the end of every prayer, and our many games of Dominoes. I’m cherishing every memory, thankful for the man you have been in my life and all of our lives. No one compares to our Sir. Rest well and see you on the other side. Domino! Much love, Nhadya Lawes
Dear Sir, There are so many fond memories I have of you, and even times I may not remember, when you’ve been there. A game of dominoes, a bowl of ice cream, talk of school, your bright smile. But my most cherished memories with you were when we would sit outside on the porch or in the den, just you and me, and you would share your wisdom with me. You would stress the importance of truth and self-reliance through simple but timeless principles. One time, you told me, “If that book is blue, and I see it’s blue, nobody can tell me that it’s not. The truth is the truth.” Another time, you encouraged me to make sure that I know how to support and take care of myself. As I learned more about your determination to support your family in whatever way possible, I realized the weight and the importance of the messages you were relaying to me. And I am incredibly thankful for them, every single word. Perhaps equally as precious as the conversations we had were the comfortable silences that we shared, freely thinking about life or admiring a beautiful day, never having to say too much, but always truly understanding one another. There was an overwhelming love and peace that I felt in those moments. It was the memory of this peace between you and me that carried me through your last days. Sitting at your bedside alone after days of crying, I finally felt that peace between me and you once again. I knew that you weren’t leaving home, but that home is where you were going. I will miss you dearly, but I know that is not the last I will be seeing of you. Sir, you have taught and given me so much, most of all being the unconditional love that can exist between grandfather and granddaughter. I love you, Sir. I will live with your memory and walk in your wisdom. Though we may be separated for this time, I know we will meet again. Yours truly, Jay (Jaleyna Lawes)
THANK YOU
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Sir
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to you for your support, your visits, your gifts, and your kind words of encouragement and comfort. Most of all, thank you for your prayers during this time of bereavement. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Clarence Maturah’s caregivers from Janel’s Nurses Registry and Trustbridge Hospice. We are grateful for the kindness that was shown to him by his wife’s aid, Joan Wilson, from CCP Health and Homecare Service. May God continue to bless you all.
The Family of Clarence G. Maturah PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Wade Funeral Home
315 West Pembroke Road Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009 (954) 456-6966
INTERMENT
Lauderdale Memorial Park 2001 SW 4th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315 (954) 828-7050
PALL BEARERS Kevin Fletcher Donald Fletcher Khaleel Williams Mark Maturah Steve Maturah Joshua Mack
CONCEPT DESIGN & EDITING
Annette Taylor-Spence Love CareFronting, LLC 954-439-5615
PRINTING
Pentecostal Tabernacle Int’l, Inc. www.PenTab.org 305-651-9696
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN
Gracious Grafx Studios www.GraciousGrafx.com 954-515-9016
WHEN I’VE GONE THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY I SHALL REST AT THE CLOSE OF THE DAY AND I KNOW THERE ARE JOYS THAT AWAIT ME WHEN I’VE GONE THE LAST MILE OF THE WAY
THE MEMORIAL KEEPSAKE A Production of
Gracious GraFx & Love CareFronting