THIS IS MY STORY

Elva Patricia-Ann Rolle, nee Russell, was born at home through Fritz Lane in Nassau, Bahamas on the 25th of October, 1946 to the late Otis Russell, a carpenter and taxi driver and the late Inez Russell, a homemaker, both from Grand Bahama. The family moved to Toote Shop Corner, a loving homestead where fond memories and core principles laid the foundation upon which Elva’s character was built. The second child of eight children, Elva was raised in an environment where good manners, self-respect and a resolute love of family was abundantly evident to all who visited. Affectionately called ‘Lady Ann’, ‘Ms Ann’ or ‘Popeye’ by various family members and neighbors, Elva’s charismatic personality and outgoing nature had taken root from an early age.

She attended Southern Prep Primary School and Xavier’s College where she participated in the school’s choir, athletics and developed a love for English Literature. Following high school, Elva completed studies at the Nassau Technical Institute and earned her first job at the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1966. Elva then matriculated abroad to The Levitan School of Business in Philadelphia where she briefly studied Secretarial Science. In search of a career path that could match her personality, she then switched gears and attended Graham Junior College in Boston Massachusetts, where in addition to studying Television Production, Elva earned an Associate’s Degree in Mass Communication. The University of Miami is where she would complete her tertiary education with a Bachelors Degree in English Language and Literature.

Elva began her career at ZNS as an Apprentice in the summer of 1969 and secured a permanent position the following year. She demonstrated a tremendous work ethic by producing programs such as “Housewives Choice”, “Emphasis on Modern Living” and “Team Challenge” in addition to her regular radio shift. She was also a part of the Evening News team where she read the international news and the weather report. Elva interviewed female groups in Nassau and the Family Islands across the archipelago which proved critical to the drafting of the “Green Papers” needed as the Bahamas prepared to become an independent nation. In 1976, in preparation for Television Broadcasting in the Bahamas, she was a member of a group of 12 Bahamians, who underwent three months of intensive training in Canada. The course was specifically designed for Bahamian television personnel by Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and the Canadian Broadcasting Company. In true trailblazing form, Elva was the original Producer and Director of its “Its Academic” and a provocative show called “Woman”. She also directed “Focus” and “In Touch” in addition to many other pioneering Bahamian Television programs. Throughout her broadcasting career, in addition to interviewing numerous local and international luminaries, Elva’s voice on the radio and likeness on television was familiar to most Bahamians in the 1970s. Elva married electrical engineer Anthony “Boozie” Rolle, former: Senator; Member of Parliament; Cabinet Minister; and Bahamas Ambassador to the United Nations, on a bright and sunny day on October 14, 1972. Together they had three children, Tracee, Gemma and Andrew and Elva participated in every meaningful part of their childhood without exception. Elva loved her children and glowingly talked about them often. To Elva, the most rewarding part of being a parent was to see her children succeed and to be able to take care of themselves. She also loved her Russell family from Grand Bahama and imbued the importance of knowing your family to her children.

In the 1980’s, following a two year period as a homemaker, Elva embarked on a very successful career as an insurance executive. Once again, her charm and magnetism enabled her to smoothly transition into a new career that lasted for more than three decades with several companies including Dominion Life, Manulife and Global Life. Elva was very instrumental in Global Life sponsoring the Striders, one of the largest local track and field clubs in the country in the late 1990s. Before, retirement, she was the director and co-founder of Bahamas Insurance Brokers and Agents Limited.

A Baptist, she was a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Passionate about gardening, she was also a member of the Horticulture Society, the Orchid Society, and the Carver Garden Club. Elva was an active member of the Free National Movement and was recently appointed a Meritorious Council Member. She also served as a Director on the Board of Directors of ZNS and Bahamasair.

Elva Patricia-Ann Rolle made her heavenly transition in the late evening of April 8th, 2022 to be with her maker and reunite with her predeceased family and friends. She was a caring wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, sister, godmother and friend. Although, she has moved on to glory, her love of life and legacy shall thrive in the memories of her earthly loved ones.

Left to cherish memories

Husband: Anthony “Boozie” Rolle; Children: Tracee Lightbourne, Dr. Gemma Rolle (Direo Minus) and Andrew (Dr. Miquela) Rolle;

Grandchildren: Isaiah Lightbourne, Ethan Rolle-Newton, Danae and Dahlia Minus, Avery and Angela Rolle;

Sisters: Ethelyn Russell Rolle and Patrenda Russell-Brice;

Brothers: Ormond Russell and Garry Russell;

Sisters-in-law: Sandra Russell and Hortense Russell;

Sisters-in-love: Miriam Culmer,

Diana “Queen” (Charles) Rolle, Rose (Kirkwood) Russell and Paddie (Sherick) Martin;

Brothers-in-law: Carl Brice and Gary “Super” Johnson;

Aunt: Doris Smith;

Nephews: Ellsworth Russell Jr., Shane Russell, Bruce Russell Jr. (Krystal), Bryant Russell, Pierre Russell, Garry Russell Jr., Troy Strachan, Ryan Johnson, Sean Tynes Sr., Kirk and Kyle Russell, Ryan and Rohn (Wendy) Knowles, Carlos (Erika) Rolle, Stephen and Leslie Rolle;

Nieces: Sharon Russell, Francine Russell, Brittany (Devan) Williams, Krysta Russell, Savannah Russell, DeShannon Brice, Destanee Brice, Indira (Adrian) Rolle, Anishka (Peter) Bascom, Rianne Knowles, Cara (Stephen Duhon), Dr. Mishelle T. Grant, Rolle, Claudia (Eldon) Providence, Cleo (Kendell) Coker, Jacqueline (Robert) Gibson, Judy Dixon, Jeanette Fitzgerald and Joan Rolle; Grand Nieces and Nephews: Luke Jr., Stephan and Mario Stuart, Sharelle (Dwayne) Watson, Shakara (Jerry) Trott, Ray Russell Jr., Travis Russell, Jonelle Russell-Bass and Jorral Russell, Aaron and Kaylyn Russell, Hailey, Devari and Kaiya Williams, Morgan Russell, Ashleigh, Savannah, Amber and Saij Russell, Ananda, Sheri and Cameron Bascom, Kaydin and Tyler “Little Kirkie”

Russell, Amorae Bradford Delaney, Aadyn Rolle, Sean Tynes Jr., Eldon III and Justin Providence, Kyle Coker, Ava Coombs and Kristen Duhon;

Great Grand Nieces and Nephews: Leonardo Burrows Jr., Duane and Shyloh Watson, Jerry Jr., J’Vae, Siiara and Sharai

Trott, Mikeyel and Gabriel Bass, and Jewelle Curtis;

Godchildren: A’yanna Cartwright, Romaine Rolle, Kahary Pestaina, Nikita Thompson, Adrian Mitchell, Debbie Ferguson

Special Family: Rozena Johnson and family, Rufus (Yvonne) Johnson and family, Patrice (Paxton) Cooper and family, Marva (Gilbert) Williams and family, Sharon Johnson, Apryl Pinder, Lekeisha (Dionisio) Mycklewhyte and family, Ronalee (Eardley) Saunders and family, Pete Smith, Jackie (James) Parker and family, Ethelyn Grant and family, Heather Bruey and family, Pat and Kess Grant and their families,

Julian (Jan) Russell and family, Pamela Thomas and family, Edmund (Jessica) Russell and family, Carol and Jerome Russell and their families, Lorna (Kenu) Russell and family, Joel Russell and family, Natasha Russell and family, Sherwood (Esther) Russell and family, Chris (Mytise) Russell and family, Miyoshi (Jerry) Banks and family, Wayne Smith, Rev. Lindy (Nell) Russell and family, Engsley Johnson and family, Sandra Swan, Dale, Terrance and Kingsley Russell and families, Natasha (Deon) Davis and family, Rex Russell and family, Wendell Stuart, Vienna Parker and family, Judy Mae Rogers and family, Gazel Rolle and family, Leslie (Ruby) Linda, Shornae, Baldwin (Tecia), J.M. Pinder and family, Sterling and Steve Rolle and their families, Georgina, Martha, Jeremiah, Eddie, Tyrone “Teddy”, Glenville “Beevan” Jr. and Jana Rolle and their families, James Martin and family, Ginger (Alan) Strachan and family, Bishop Ricardo Grant and family, Sir Michael Barnett and family, Zelma Worrell, Clarice and Fletcher Cooper, Dorothy (Wilfred) Horton, Rudolph (Yvonne) Cooper, Joan Newton-Russell, Henry and Janet Bostwick and family, Cynthia Saunders, Leotha Williams,

Patricia Horsford, Norma Elliott, Cleo Williams and family, Paul Barrett and family, Kevin Hanna and family, Norman Bevans and family, Patricia Ann Sherman and family, Craig Russell and family, Howard (Naomi) Russell and family, Wallace Russell and family, Kanute Russell and family, Gabriella, Cameron and Makayla Wright, Joycelyn (Wilfred) Butler and family, John and Beverly Curtis and family, Teresa Strachan and family. Dr. Mildred Hall-Watson and family, Franklyn and Virgina (Franklyn) Campbell and family, Sharon Rolle and family. Families of the late Felma Russell, the late Walcott Russell, the late Merle Deal, the late Gerald and the late Ethel “Nett” Bartlett, the late Prescola Martin, the late Alonza and the late Vernice Johnson, the late Arthur and the late Beryl Barnett, the late Marcus and the late Constance “Dotsie” Jones, the late Franklyn “Flash” Stuart, the late Sir Arlington and the late Lady Sheila Butler and the late Kem Stuart;

Close and Special Friends: Family of the late Rev. Dr. Timothy and Sis. Sharon Stewart, Rev. Alfred and Jacqueline Stewart and family, the late Stanley and Dorothy Coakley,

Tanya Wright and family, Donna Adderley and family, family of the late Zelma and Audley Dean, Sherry Pestaina, Donnie Wilson, Giselle Fielder, Debbie Strachan, Ruiz Munnings and family, Dwight Sawyer and family, Evarista Mitchell and family, Livingston and Claire Hepburn, Carolyn Johnson and family, Wes Bastian and family, Eneas and Ludell Theophilus and family, Patric Walkes and family, Sonia Hepburn and family, Macy Hanna and family, Mizpah Cargill, Levant Carey, Carl and Ruth Brice and family, Ricardo Knowles, Jerome Sawyer, Hope ShellyAnn Ratliffe, Osbourne and Coral Sawyer, Dugald and Paula Small, Keith and Elaine Gomez and family, Stephanie Toote, Sandra Wood, Dianne Maycock-Williams and family, Violet Beneby, Raquel BenebyHart, Katherine Stewart-Marsh, Brian and Ellen Serville, Keva McKinney, McHale Taylor, Elka Ferguson, Dr. Elizabeth Darville, Melvin Miller, Meckel Taylor, Italia Johnson, Donald and Cora Cooper, Angelino Cooper, Angela Nixon, Alicia Johnson, Gladys Johnson, Blanche and Earla Moss, Alma Evans, Mimi Roberts, Wendy Cartwright, Mike Smith, Sandra Knowles, Toni Phillips, Woodrow Wilson, The Most Honourable Dr. Hubert and Patricia Minnis, Lelia Beneby, Elaine Clare, Loretta Knowles, Nadine Beneby, Peter Campbell, Elvira Johnson, Arianne and Aida Cartwright, Shaland Ferguson, Aaron Brice and family, Vernice Tony Sturrup, Margaret Smith, Jeff Rodgers, Earl Thompson, Willamae Salkey, Sandra Archer, Keisha Morgan, Cleo Williams, Jasmine Collie, Sharice Colebrooke, Frank Saunders, Spence Finlayson, Marcia Boyer, Officers and members of The Free National Movement, Management and staff of ZNS The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Officers and members of The Carver Garden Club and members, Officers and members of the Horticulture Society of The Bahamas, Officers and members of Bethel Baptist Church; Doctors: Dr. DuVaughn Curling, Dr. Sharon Thompson, Dr. Yasmin WilliamsRobinson, Dr. Riccardo Davis, Dr. Rhea Thurston-Carroll, Dr. Margo Munroe, Dr. Clyde Munnings and Dr. Elizabeth Stone.

“My official nickname, is Lady Anne. Which was given to me by some neighbours who, they were originally from Cat Island. They nicknamed me Lady Ann because wherever I went, I always had my little hat and my purse, and my gloves. So it was there I learned, if you wore gloves, you must be wearing a hat. So that was my official name, Lady Ann.”

ElvaRussell-Rolle 1946-2022