SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE OF
Rosetta
MAE RAHMING JOHNSON
DATE OF BIRTH: April 15, 1960
DATE OF DEPARTURE: April 11, 2023
AGE: 62 SERVICES HELD AT Bahamas Faith Ministries International Carmichael Road
Nassau, N.P., Bahamas
Friday, April 28, 2023
OFFICIATING:
Dr. Stephen Munroe
ASSISTED BY:
Pastor Louise Newry
INTERMENT:
Lakeview Memorial Garden & Mauso-leums
Gladstone Road
The life of ROSETTA MAE RAHMING JOHNSON
On the settlement of Black Point, South Andros a princess was born to the late Ishmael and Daisy Rahming, she was given the names Rosetta Mae.
Rosetta was brought to Nassau by her parents along with most of her brothers at the age of two years old.
She was nurtured by her parents and brothers and taught to be honest, respectful and hardworking.
Rosetta was excited beyond words when the family was blessed with another little princess, her one and only “tista”. During Rosetta’s early childhood she was the shopping partner of her maternal grandmother whenever she visited Nassau. She was a bubbly little girl and this pleasant personality remained a part of her which endeared her to so many persons throughout her lifetime.
Rosetta’s education began at Big Pond Primary School (Mable Walker Primary). While in the sixth grade of primary school she was successful in passing the Common Entrance Exam which along with the support of her parents allowed her to attend Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventist from seventh grade. Rosetta graduated from Bahamas Academy in the year 1977 and later pursued higher education at what is now the University of the Bahamas. She furthered her education in the area she was passionate about, secretarial science.
Rosetta joined the Public Service in February 1979 and was assigned to the Civil Aviation Department where she served for 25 plus years. She was a pillar of dedication and consistency throughout her Public Service Career. Rosetta was seconded to the Parliamentary Registration Department where she served with excellence before being transferred to the Department of Lands & Surveys where she served in the Land Management Unit with integrity and remained in an executive capacity as Chief Executive Secretary. She was assigned as the secretary to the Surveyor’s Board and also as Secretary to the Surveyor General of the Bahamas; an assignment she carried out with distinction until her demise.
Rosetta grew up and was baptized in the Englerston Seventh-day Adventist Church. During her adult life she chose a new denominational path and continued in her
walk with Christ. Her faith in God and her dedication to witnessing and service culminated in her being ordained as a Minister.
Rosetta met and fell in love with Whitfield Brown to whom she was later joined in holy matrimony; that union produced two beautiful daughters. She was a determined and hardworking woman, a trait she passed on to her daughters. She made great sacrifices for them ensuring they had a wonderful life. She fully embraced the gift of motherhood. She taught her daughters how to love and show kindness to people and to be respectful. She also taught them how to love and serve the Lord. Every Sunday afternoon she took her daughters for a drive around Nassau, during which time she would treat them to their favourite ice cream. Every month Rosetta looked forward to enjoying lunch dates with her two daughters. She was proud to be the co-owner of Rosie’s Boutique along with her daughter. Rosetta enjoyed travelling, and looked forward to vacations with her daughter Jan. The most recent highlight off motherhood for her was being blessed along with her daughter Vanessa and son-in-law Kino with her first grandchild.
Rosetta found love again in Mr Arthur Johnson; they were united in Holy Matrimony in February 2021 They prayed together. Arthur and Rosetta looked forward to attending worship services and church events together and dressing in complimenting colors. Rosetta often enjoyed being driven to the beach and just looking over the waters with her husband. She was looking forward to enjoying a long life with him.
In 2017 Rosetta began experiencing health issues, this did not deter her from Ministry, work, travel and just enjoying life. In the evening of April 11, 2023 after completing a full day of work at the office and doing her usual duties at home Rosetta peacefully fell asleep.
Fond & cherished memories are held by her loving husband: Arthur Harcourt Johnnie Johnson Sr.; Loving daughters & spouse: Jan-Marie Brown & Vanessa (Kino) Taylor;
Stepsons & spouse: Arthur W Jr. (Shurie-Smith) Johnson, Dario & Dino Johnson, Darren Sands;
Stepdaughters: Alexis King, Daria & Danair Johnson;
Grandchild: Kion Alexander Taylor;
Step granddaughter: Drenay Strachan;
Step grandsons: Ajani & Rajon Johnson;
Brothers & spouses: Elder Charles (Carmetta), Elder Lennis, Malfreth & Dr. Elliston (Arthurlouise) Rahming;
Sister & spouse: Ivy (Phillip) Rolle;
Adopted son: Adrian Williams
Adopted Daughter: Danielle Beneby
Brother-in-law: Van E. Johnson;
Sisters-in-law: Ruth & Yvonne Rahming, Patricia Major, Lydia
Lockhart, Cynthia, Maysie, Greta & Sonia Johnson;
Nephews & spouses, including: Samuel Sr. (Isolyn), Alexander
Sr., Jonathan Sr., Andre, Hugh, Mario, Sean, Jon, Marvin, Jason (Ariel), Pele & Kriston Rahming;
Nieces & spouses including: Eleanor (Charles Sr.) Bowleg, Bernadette (Harazona) Bowleg, Glendina Rahming, Pandora (Anwar Sr.) Lockhart, Yvonne (Darrion) Brown, Jacqueline (Roy Jr.) Brown, Diane (Gary) Jones, Patricia Rahming, Melony Gibson, Nadine Miller, Melony & Latoya Rahming, Yana (Jermaine) Bethel, Desiree (Theodore) Armbrister, Phillippa Rolle, Tereza (Walky) Jacques, Sue-Ellen Smith;
Numerous grand & great grandnephews & nieces including: Tagyei Armbrister, Kenreah Russell, Dr. Re-anne Darling, Sasha
Weaver, Charlece & Travis Bowleg, Anwar Lockhart Jr., Dionce Smith, Philease Cooper, Darrinique Brown, Ralista, Alexis, Tevin, Jonathan Jr., Kriston Jr., Xhana & Carmelo & Stephon Rahming
Aunt: Manekerbell Canter; God mother: Elder Catherine Roker;
God children: Zion Richards & Sarah Sargent
Cousins including: Juliane Rolle, Humphrey & Carlton McPhee, Flordell Pratt, Ettamae McKenzie, Thaddeus Rahming, Ellamae Hall, Eulamae Gordo, Patsy Bowe, Natalie Markland, Sandra & Thelma Miller, Eloise Demifort, Vernita Russell, Geraldine
Strachan, Gertrude Brown, Alphonso II, Berkley & Susan Canter, Emerita Alexis, Janeta Pratt, Lionel & Jennifer Johnson, Robert Bullard, Laura Forbes, Willie Taylor Livingston Penn & Barbara Strachan;
Numerous other relatives and friends including: Mr Brian & Mrs. Paulette Bynoe, Dr. Stephen & Pastor Nadine Munroe, Elder Norma Rolle, Officers & Members Believers Embassy International, Department of Lands & Surveys, Pauline Gibson, Michelle Munroe, Kenyatta Rolle, Kenrick Curry, Andrea Saunders, Eunice Burrows, Carol Gibson-Roberts, Bertram, Allison, Jasmine (Tatiana, Janiyah, Azariah) & Reco Taylor, Pastor Phalmon & Lady Sophia Ferguson, United Faith Ministries International Evangelist Queen Roll, Barbara & Paul Coleman, Spence Finalyson, Fredricka Murray, Laurie Richards, Linda Smith, Marie Roach, Oralee Pierre, Colin Brooks (New York City), Mr. Claes (Belgium Ambassador to the Bahamas), Barr Valrie, Sonia Timothy, Laura Willie, Nicolas & Gloria Jacques, Harriett Davis and Minister Carolyn Burrows.
service order of
PRESIDING | Dr.
Stephen MunroeMUSICAL PRELUDE
ENTRANCE OF THE FAMILY
CALL TO WORSHIP | Pastor Louise Newry
“So when this corruptible has put on incorruption And this mortal has put on immortality Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in victory Oh death where is your sting” Oh Hades where is your victory? The sting of death is sin And the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory Through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
INVOCATION | Elder Norma
PRAYER RESPONSE
RolleCONGREGATIONAL HYMN | “And Can It Be?”
And can it be that I should gain Long my imprisoned spirit lay An interest in the Savior’s blood? Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Died He for me, who caused His pain? Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray, For me, who Him to death pursued? I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; Amazing love! How can it be My chains fell off, my heart was free; That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? I rose, went forth and followed Thee
Chorus
Amazing love! How can it be That Thou, No condemnation now I dread; My God shouldst die for me? Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, He left His Father’s throne above, And clothed in righteous divine, So free, so infinite His grace; Bold I approach th’eternal throne, Emptied Himself of all but love, And claim the crown, through Christ my own. And bled for Adam’s helpless race; ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;’s For O my God, it found out me.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE | (Psalm 23) | Mrs. Pauline Robinson (best friend)
TRIBUTE | (solo) | Mrs. Desiree Rahming Armbrister (niece)
FAMILY TRIBUTE | His Excellency Dr. Elliston Rahming (brother) Bahamas Ambassador, Republic of Cuba
SPECIAL VIDEO TRIBUTE | (Slideshow)
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN | “Draw Me Nearer”
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice Consecrate Me now to Thy service Lord, And it told Thy love to me; By the power of grace divine: But I long to rise in the arms of faith, May my soul look up with a steadfast hope And be closer drawn to Thee And my will be lost in Thine.
Chorus
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, Oh the pure delight of a single hour To the cross where Thou hast died; That before Thy throne I spend, Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee my God, To Thy precious, bleeding side. I commune as friend with friend!
OBITUARY | Read in silence
CONDOLENCES | (2 minutes) | Ms. Michelle Munroe (friend) Elder Catherine Roker (godmother/cousin)
Apostle Phalmon Ferguson, United Faith Ministries International Pastor Leonardo Rahming Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church (Executive Secretary, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventist)
THE MUSICAL SELECTION | Charles and Lennis Rahming (Brothers)
NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE | (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) | Mrs. Diane Jones (niece)
AS I KNEW HER | Mrs. Carol Roberts Gibson (friend)
PSALMIST | “Goodness of God”
EULOGY | Dr. Stephen Munroe
PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY | Apostle Phalmon Ferguson
CLOSING HYMN | “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, Summer and winter, and spring time and harvest, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Thou changest not, Thy compassion they fail not; Join with all nature in manifold witness As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Pardon for sin and peace that endureth, Morning by morning new mercies I see Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Great is Thy faithfulness! Lord unto me! Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.
Liturgy of Committal
GRAVESIDE SEVICE
PRESIDING PASTOR | Dr. Stephen Munroe
SONG | “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.
Refrain
It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.
PRAYER | Minister
COMMITTAL | Dr. Stephen Munroe
SONG | “It is Finished”
There’s a line that’s been drawn through the ages;
On that line stands the old rugged cross.
On that cross a battle is raging
For the gain of man’s soul or his loss.
On one side march the forces of evil, All the demons and devils of hell.
On the other the angels of glory And they meet on Golgotha’s hill.
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict; The sun refuses to shine.
For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, And then through the darkness He cries:
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 de-scend, even so, it is well with my soul.
“It is finished!” The battle is over!
It is finished! There’ll be no more war!
It is finished! The end of the conflict!
It is finished and Jesus is Lord!
Yet in my heart the battle was still raging; Not all pris’ners of war have come home. They were battlefields of my own making, I didn’t know that the war had been won.
Then I heard that the King of all ages Had won all the battles for me. And the vict’ry was mine for the claiming; And now praise His name I am free!
FUNERAL HOME DIRECTOR
Rosetta
AS I KNOW HER AND IN REMEMBRANCE OF HER
She was a woman among women. The most humble woman and gentle kind tender hearted person I’ve ever met. She would give you the shirt of her back. A very decent and well respected person. As our Lord God said, Be wise as a serpent, harmless as a dove. That’s how my wife and loving mother to her children lived her life. She loved her God, Her Children, and Her Husband to the extreme and certainly to the end of her life. To Her I salute a great awesome, magnificent, very outstanding champion of a woman.
From Her Husband, Mr. Arthur H. Johnnie Johnson Sr.
A LETTER TO MY MOM IN HEAVEN
Hi Mommy A.K.A “SALLY”,
First off, I just want to tell you how much I miss you and how hard it’s been every single day since God called you home. I miss you so much it hurts. I miss our talks, I miss seeing your Face, hearing your voice and that infectious smile.
Most of the time I feel like this is all just a bad nightmare that I can’t wake up from and that when I do wake up, you’ll be there telling me how silly this all sounds. I keep thinking that you’re on a vacation without me and you’ll be home any day now. I still look for you in the room; I still pick up the phone three times a day to call you. I still wake up waiting to hear you say “Jannie what we eating for breakfast”.
Days have become hard, because I don’t have my sidekick anymore. Nights are harder, because I won’t have you saying “Jannie call when you coming home”. Seeing you waiting up for me every night was irreplaceable. Why did you have to go Mommy? I live with the comfort of knowing you and I had the perfect mother/daughter relationship. I feel like I’ve been robbed in life, if that makes sense, Robbed of all the things that you should be present for.
I still need your support, your encouraging words, and I need your guidance. It hurts my heart to know that if I ever get married, you won’t be there. To know my children will never meet you.
Mommy I hope that I can make you proud of me still. You took all of me with you when you left. Even though I know I’ll see you again someday, that doesn’t ease the pain I feel daily. I hope that heaven is beautiful; that it’s everything you ever imagined it would be. I hope you sitting down playing catch up with Grammy and Granddais.
I am going to miss you every single day for the rest of my life. I’ll love you until I take my final breath. I will never forget your daily words to me “Jannie never forget God”. I’ll love you Always.
Love, Your Oldest Pain Jan-Marie
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND BACK AGAIN
Wow, I never thought this day would come, where I can’t see you, talk to you or cry to you. Mommy, you were one of my best friends and one of the people I talked to for advice on everything. I’m still in shock and disbelief because we spoke 4 times that day mommy. How are you not here right now to see Kion. You’ll spoke everyday just like us and now he can’t hear your voice anymore say “How Grammy baby doing, Grammy love the boy”. I haven’t been able to cry or grieve properly because I don’t want him to see me sad, but I know he feels the void and misses you.
This is hard to swallow mommy. We just spent a month together and said see you soon with tears falling down our face when you had to go back home to Nassau. I never thought I would be coming home early, because you’re gone. If I knew this would happen I would have come home sooner to spend more time, but I know you understood why I couldn’t. I haven’t seen you physically or hold you since February 4th when you left and this is tearing me up inside, because I’ll never get the opportunity again. I wish I could kiss you, hug you and tell you how much I love you one last time.
You have been my rock mommy for my whole life and I am so happy I was able to give you your flowers while you were here with us. I’m going to miss our mother daughter movie dates, our Saturday hangouts, our debates on different topics and our endless hugs and kisses. I’m going to miss you calling me “Ms. Kissy Wisy”, because of the amount of kisses I gave.
Rest on Mommy. I know you will always watch over us, our heavenly angel. Tell Grammy and Papi we said hi and we miss them. Let them know I had a son. I love you mommy.
Love Always, You’re Baby Girl and Grandson
Nessa & Kion
MY BIG SISTER “RISE”
“Rise” was my first roommate other than daddy and mummy; my first playmate, my first friend.
We played almost all of the childhood games together My sister was my protector in primary school.
When it was time for household chores to be done “Rise” never failed to remind me by saying “those dishes need to wash and you washing them.” As soon as she was able to mummy allowed her to become my hairdresser.
My sister and I shared the same middle name, we both were blessed with being mothers to two daughters, and we both shared the same work environment for the past fifteen years. I am thankful that both her and I never allowed our personal relationship to interfere with our professionalism”.
She gave me the nickname “Martha” because at family gatherings that meant I had to get up and serve especially the late comers while she sat down. I will always cherish the times we spent together going to lunch, checking out sales and often praying together. I will miss her expecting me to give an answer in an instant whether it was adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing or percentages, she would say “I don’t feel like thinking right now” and me being able to ask her the difficult questions I needed answers to, trust me in the last two weeks I attempted to, a number of times.
When ever I would say to my sister that I was not feeling well she would always pray that “whatever is out of line, line up in the name of Jesus.” As sisters we shared our joys, sorrows, fears and expectations.
Almost every afternoon my sister would dial my extension or cell to tell me she was leaving and that she will talk to me later or see me in the morning, she would always end by saying “don’t get locked in the building, love you”. April 11, 2023 I did not get that call, not realizing the usual time had passed I picked up the phone and called her but did not get an answer. I did not get a chance to say good night, see you in the morning, talk to you later or I love you to. “Rise was my beautiful, caring and supportive sister. This chain has been broken.
Ivy Rolle (sister)Rosetta’s death leaves a heartache no one can heal, her love leaves a memory no one can steal.. My sister was a fun loving individual. She was always well attired, well spoken.
The lost of a love one is a very traumatic experience, especially when it’s a sister. Death will not extinguish the light ; It is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come. The book of Revelation says, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
By God’s grace we will meet again. Lennis (Brother)
MRS. J,
A TRIBUTE TO MY AUNTY ‘ZET’
Never in my wildest dreams did I think the night of April 11 2023 would send shock waves through my body as I would receive one of the most devastating calls of my life . I will never hear her voice again saying “Morning Philly, you alright? and where my ‘tista’ as she sometimes affectionately refer to my mom. My Aunty was truly a breath of fresh air, I loved her sense of style and beautiful smile. She always ensured I knew how proud she was of my accomplishments even when she was unable to physically be there.
I will forever cherish the memories of our family trips, she brought an extra layer of excitement, and oh how we love to shop.
My Aunty I will remember with warmth, pride and cherish the love we had for each other! Until that great getting up morning when we shall RISE!
With Love, Philly (niece)
You have always loved and accepted me as your son. You have blessed me with my wife and have always supported us and prayed for us. We always talked about how our anniversary is right after your birthday and how all of us would celebrate. You always made sure I ate every Sunday while Nessa was in the states and went above and beyond with giving me enough for now and later. I’m going to miss your laugh, hugs, smile and loving embraces.
This is not easy, because I just saw you that day. Nessa and I will tell Kion and all other children that come after, how much you love him and would have loved them and show them photos of you.
Love Your Son-In-Law, Kino
Acknowledgement
We wish to express our deep and sincerest appreciation for the numerous acts of kindness, expressions of sympathy and varied courtesies extended to this family. Your prayers, visits, gifts and telephone calls have been a comfort and solace to us all. We warmly thank you and may God richly bless all of you.
The Family
HONORARY PALL BEARERS
Arthur Johnson Sr.
Lennis Rahming
Dr. Elliston Rahming
Charles Rahming
Malfreth Rahming
Philip Rolle
ACTIVE PALL BEARERS
Jon Rahming
Theodore Armbrister
Dario Johnson
Marvin Rahming
Adrian Williams
Jason Rahming
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Nassau, N.P. Bahamas