Douglas McGeachy

Bethel United (Apostolic)

20 South Camp Road Kingston 4

OUR LOVE STORY They met in 1974.

She lived in Jones Town, and he lived on Little King Street. She worked at MetalBox and had to walk past his house to get the bus on Spanish Town Road. One day she noticed him watching her from his gate, until she got onto the bus. This continued for many days.

One evening about 3 weeks later, he finally spoke to her while she was on her way home. He told her “I know you are pregnant, but after the baby is born, I want to see you” to which she only smiled.

They continued to relate that way, she on her way to work and he at his gate smiling at her.

Sometimes he would walk her home and at other times he would write love notes and ask a young man in the community, Pee Wee, to deliver the note when he could not deliver them himself.

After the baby was born, she returned to work and the communication continued. He started to meet her at the top of the road, walked her home while they talked about her new baby (Rodney) among a myriad of things. This went on for over a year and in her words “he never asked me how old I was or even offered to chups me”. He was a decent man, who had become her best friend.

She recalled how he took her to see the Stylistics at Carib Theatre, and how much fun they had. He had chartered a taxi and afterwards took her home, remaining a gentleman.

She lost everything in a fire in 1976. She recalled him buying her a bed, among other things.

To this day she has the headboard from that bed, as one of the cherished gifts from him. After the fire, every Thursday when he got his pay, he would visit her at her office and hand her an envelope telling her, “this is to help out at home”, before taking the bus back to his job.

She had already fallen in love with him but as a country girl, believed the man had the responsibility to make the approach. She knew he cared about her deeply and it was joy for her when he visited her at home where she prepared a first meal for him. It was a good visit and they continued to grow closer. Years later, he told her “from the first time I saw you, something moved in me, and I knew you were someone special”.

2

They became soul mates. He took her with him to several cricket matches all over Jamaica.

He was a left-arm spin bowler and he was good at it. She got to know many beautiful spots in Jamaica because of him. She would prepare their picnic lunches and share with some of the other cricketers. There were also times when he would take her to football matches, but his love was cricket.

It was in the early 1980’s that he moved in with her in Franklin Town and they were married on Aug 26, 1989. She recalled that was one of the happiest days of her life. He showed her love that she had never experienced before and she loved him deeply. She was his “Black Pearl” and he treated her children as if they were his own. She recalled he would go to Coronation Market to get supplies to boil man back, strong back and saucy perila, mixed with Guiness and honey as their love potion. He was a good cook too, and some of his special dishes included seasoned rice, vegetable stew and steamed fish.

They bought land In Helshire and built a house in 1998 which they owned jointly and shared happy memories. One thing was missing, he had not accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

She prayed for him continuously. For years he would take her to church at nights, sit outside and when church was finished, they would walk home together. He finally gave his life to Jesus in 2002 which was another of the happiest days of her life.

In 2007 he suffered a stroke while they were in Florida, after hearing some devastating news.

The second stroke happened in 2010, and in 2012 he developed Alzheimer’s disease. When it became too challenging for her to care for him alone, she hired two nurses to help. The challenges did not ease but she continued to care for him at home. It was not until the doctors recommended that he be placed in a care facility, due to the increasing stress on her, that she reluctantly agreed to do so. `The care facility was just a place for him to stay. The love and care that she extended to him did not wane. She would visit every day, preparing special meals and juices, personally fed him, cut his nails, trim him, read to him, made sure he was receiving good care and “raise cane” if she saw evidence that he was not getting good care.

He spent a total of 9 years in the care facility. Caring for him was her job and she did it with joy to the very end. Her last visit was on Friday July 10. At that visit she noticed that his bruises were healed and how peaceful he was. She recalled taking off her mask, kissing him and telling him that she and Jesus loved him. He opened his eyes as if acknowledging that he heard and understood. He went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, July 11 He was not a perfect man, but their love was enough.

3

ORDER OF SERVICE Praise & Worship/Musical Interlude Opening Sentences Rev. Michael Lewis Officiating Minister Congregational Hymn “When We All Get To Heaven” Sing the wondrous love of Jesus Sing his mercy and his grace In the mansions bright and blessed He’ll prepare for us a place Chorus When we all get to heaven What a day of rejoicing that will be

When we all see Jesus We’ll sing and shout the victory Onward to the prize before us Soon His beauty we’ll behold Soon the pearly gates will open We shall tread the streets of gold

Invocation Bishop Clifton Black First Reading Ecclesiastes 3 v 1-11 (Old Testament Scripture) Bluette MGeachy-Lee Second Reading 1st Corinthians 15 v 50 - 58 (New Testament Scripture) Shanice McGeachy Musical Selection Deborah Black Tributes Marcia Chuck Carlton Adams, Shipping Association Lyndell Wright, Boy’s Town Cricket Club Anmarie Thomas, Bethel United Apostolic Church Remembrance Jannett Gibson

4

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Offertory Hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd” (Offering in aid of Bethel United Basic School The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie In pastures green He leadeth me The quiet waters by.

Chorus He lives, He lives, He lives I know that my Redeemer lives He lives He lives, He lives within my heart My soul He doth restore again, And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness, E’en for His own name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill, For Thou art with me and Thy rod And staff me comfort still.

Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me, And in God’s house forevermore My dwelling place shall be.

Eulogy - Sharon McGeachy-Oliver & Ricardo McGeachy Tribute in Song Anmarie Thomas & Deborah Black Sermon

- Rev. Michael Lewis

Prayer for the Family Rev. Michael Lewis Closing Prayer Bishop Clifton Black Recessional Hymn “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 diverse 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 Let us lay before the Master from dawn ‘til 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

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

5

D

ouglas McGeachy often called Dougie, Dee or Ziggyman was born on August 16, 1943, to the late Ivanhoe and Veronica McGeachy. He was born in Kingston Jamaica and was the ninth child out of twelve children. He attended the St. Aloysius School for Boys. After graduating, his father took both him and his late brother Sandy at ages 15 and 17 to work with him at the Shipping Association of Jamaica, where Dougie and his brother later spent their entire employment career.

Dougie was always a humble, laid back and soft-spoken person. He was a natural charmer and easily loved by those he came in contact with. He enjoyed the simple lifestyle of walking and riding his bicycle. His favorite game was cricket which he played on the Boys Town team within his community. He was an exceptional lefthand spin bowler. Another of his favorite hobby and pastime was playing dominoes. He loved spending time playing dominoes with his co-workers, family, and friends.

In his early thirties he first met his future wife, Pearlena, but the relationship did not mature into marriage then because the timing was off. Nevertheless, as the saying goes; what God has for you, it’s for you. Five years later they crossed path again, rekindled their affection for each other and got married! He finally got his Black Pearl, his precious gem and his wife for life.

6

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

He took his wife to church regularly although he did not actually go into the church building. He finally yielded to the prayers of many Christians, and was baptized on June 2003. He maintained his relationship with God and was a regular attendee to church until illness prevented him.

In 2007 Dougie suffered a stroke while vacationing in Florida with his wife. He suffered a second stroke in 2010, and in 2012 he developed Alzheimer’s disease. Healthcare at home became challenging and his doctors recommended that he be housed in a healthcare facility. This was his home for nine years, but his wife made it her duty to visit him every day. She prepared his home cooked meals and blended his natural juices that she fed to him daily. She didn’t solely rely on the nurses at the facility, but she played her part in ensuring that he kept in the best physical health and was always well groomed. She would cut his hair, nails and shave him for example, and reading to him was a must. She read to him religiously, whether “rain or sunshine”. Dougie was always surrounded with love and support from his wife, his children, siblings, and his family members who frequently visited him.

On the morning of July 10, 2021, our dearly beloved Dougie took his final breath and went home to be with the Lord. He is survived by his wife (Pearlena), his children (Mark, Lloyd, Bluette, Melvin, Sharon, Ricardo, Cargill), stepchildren (Marcia, Jannett, Roger, Deborah, Carey, Rodney), his four siblings (Pearly, Jacqueline Delores, Beverly Patsy, Norman), 42 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Though he will be missed, we must let go and let God grant his eternal rest in Jesus’ name.

Sleep in peace Daddy Dearest. One Love, Your Family.

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

7

FRUITS OF HIS LOINS

8

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

MORE OF HIS FRUITS

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

9

Melvin and Mark McGeachy

10

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Lloyd McGeachy

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

11

Bluette McGeachy-Lee

12

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Melvin McGeachy

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

13

Sharon McGeachy-Oliver

14

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Ricardo McGeachy

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

15

Cargill McGeachy

16

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Damian McGeachy

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

17

Marcia

18

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Jannett and Roger

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

19

Deborah

20

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Carey and Rodney

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

21

Family

22

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

Celebrating the Life of Douglas McGreachy

23

THANK YOU

We express our sincere appreciation to relatives, friends and well-wishers for your kind expressions of sympathy during this time. Your prayers and thoughtfulness will always be remembered.

Heartfelt appreciation to the numerous persons whose unwavering support and assistance have been a blessing to us.

The McGeachy Family PALL BEARERS Cargill Ricardo Melvin Lloyd Ricardo Phillip

McGeachy McGeachy McGeachy McGeachy McGeachy, Jr McGeachy

FLORAL BEARERS Sharon McGeachy-Oliver Bluette McGeachy-Lee