RUIZ MUNNINGS ELVA DEDICATION

Elva always believed that I was the one who introduced her to her husband Anthony, a close friend, although he said it was Alfie Stewart.

So, when she got married, I became a loyal counselor, a reliable brother and a devoted friend. Over the decades, we talked about the precious love she had for her parents and siblings, her amazing children and grandchildren, her dear spouse and beloved friends. Also, we discussed her interesting work projects, her passionate political views and her challenging health matters.

During the last few years, Elva and I specifically discussed her beautiful garden, her many various plants, and the hours of utter joy they gave her every day. Regardless of the hard work of watering and fertilizing twice a day, tending to her garden was her holistic therapy. It brought her hours of pleasure and peace of mind every day.

So, my dear sister, as I tour your lovely garden, I will forever remember you, along with your many trusted friends and dedicated family members who now miss you dearly.

One thing that is indisputable is that we all will leave this world one day. How we are remembered is entirely up to each one of us. Our actions and our words are footprints of indelible ink stamped in the hearts of people we encounter.

Elva’s footprints first impacted my life when I was a teenager employed at ZNS. She was my boss, the manager of the production department and I was a graphic artist. Elva was authentic, she knew who she was and was proud of her heritage.She showed strength, but with firmness and gentleness. She displayed integrity with honesty and respect. She exuded humility, but reminded us to never forget that we were also worthy.

Elva loved her family and spoke often of them - that’s how I know Toote Shop Corner. She made sure that any of her family members who traveled to Exuma paid me a visit, the latest being her daughter Gemma. If Elva loved you, she never held back; she made sure you knew it. I knew it. She was a doting mother. Her children were everything to her. In our last conversation she was so happy to let me know of their accomplishments and how proud she was to see the adults they are today.

The indelible footprints Elva left behind are bright and beautiful. Continue the legacy dear family. To Mr. Anthony Rolle, Tracee, Gemma and Prince Andrew, to the entire family my deepest sympathy.

Sleep in peace dear Elva and rise in glory.

Your friend, Wendy.

Iwent to Graham Junior College in Boston Massachusetts, where I studied Mass Communications. That involved a lot of stuff. Graham Junior College was the first colour television studio in the United States. And I was happy to have gone there. I think I was the second Bahamian to go there, but afterwards we had other students came behind me. But I started studying Television Performance. But very quickly I learned hey, somebody would be telling you what to do all the time, and I liked to be the boss. I liked to be in charge. So I switched and I studied Television Production. And in so doing, since I was the darkest person in my group, I found myself still doing Performance. Because, you know, you had to learn how to light a dark-skinned person. And then I had sort of an accent according to the Americans. And so they liked to hear me talk, so every time they were doing some production, they wanted me to participate. But I liked the television production because I was able to use my creative skills, create shows...well back in the day also we had to, if you wanted a forest, you had to make the trees. So you learned to use your hands.

Elva Russell-Rolle 1946-2022

Today we remember our former broadcast colleague and friend, Elva Russell-Rolle.

When Elva arrived at ZNS radio 52 years ago, there were only two other Bahamian female on-air announcers. Elva was the youngest of the three.

She was fortunate to join older broadcasters including Louis Hanchell and Carl Bethel,at the moment The Bahamas was becoming a sovereign state in a rapidly changing social and cultural world.

Having three female voices at the national broadcaster was nothing short of revolutionary in the 1970s. Cindy Williams, Nadeen Campbell-Beneby and Elva Russell-Rolle helped shaped Radio Bahamas sound and culture at a time when few women held prominent roles at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas.

When television 13 was established in 1977 Elva moved from being a Presenter to a TV Producer/Director. She was a trailblazer who transformed the role of women in the production of Television programmes.

She was dedicated to her craft and became a leader of the young BROADCASTERS who she mentored. Like so many I am deeply saddened by her passing but I am thankful for her life.

On behalf of my wife Dawne, I offer my deepest condolences to her husband, Anthony and their children and to the extended family.

May God bless her memory.

Ed Bethel

March 18. 2022

When I joined the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, the pioneering female broadcaster was transitioning to a more senior role in production. She was always very kind but firm with me teaching me the ropes. Our relationship grew beyond coworkers. We became friends visiting with her and her family getting to know her siblings as well. One of the things we always spoke about was her children I recall at ZNS her sharing their successes in their respective careers. As a result, it was Dr. Gemma that did my colonoscopy. Over the years we worked together in a different arena to further strengthen the bonds of friendship. She was nononsense and very direct with her speech. I found her to be a genuine individual- what you saw was what you got. Sleep on Elva take your rest.

Mavis Collie Johnson

From the day I heard your voice on ZNS, while I was still a teenager in High School, I fell in love with Elva Russell-Rolle. As fate would have it, we finally met in person, during the election campaign of 2007, and from that day to now, we have shared an endearing friendship.

When I needed an ear to hear me, you were there. When I needed a shoulder to lean on, you were there for me. When I needed a scolding, you were there for me, and when I needed a name for my baking company, you provided it for me (Frankly the Best Sweets).

Similarly, when you needed someone to listen, you would call me, and we would have long chats about everything. You invited me into your family life and introduced me to all your family members. Your mom became my mom, your sisters, my sisters, and your brothers my brother.

When you got ill, you told me before I heard it from anyone else, and while you were having treatments, you would call me to say that all is okay, and “I’m trusting in God Frank.”

I prayed that this day would never come, but as you always said...”everything in God’s time and according to his plan.”

That last time I laid eyes on you, on the evening of Christmas Eve, 2021, when I delivered your Christmas cakes, I felt that I might never see you again...there was a strangeness in the air.

I recall you calling me to say, with lots of laughter “boy you must have put all your feet in that cake” and we laughed when I responded with, “yea, I’m trying to fix you.”

Saying goodbye to such a GREAT friend is not easy, but I take comfort in knowing that you are now happy and at peace in the presence of our Lord, whom you looked forward to being with, with peace and tranquility.

Elva, I will miss you and the opportunity to call you, just to get a good fusing from you. You were, are, and will always be, a GREAT FRIEND.

As I gaze at the little desk plaque you gave me that reads...”Friends surround you with love. A sweet friendship refreshes the soul (Proverbs 27:9)”, I will smile, knowing that despite our current circumstances, we are still GREAT FRIENDS. I MISS AND LOVE YOU!!!

Frank Saunders

“And here comes Bob Marley. So somebody said, this lady right here has a question for you. So he looked at me, I said yes. I understand sometimes Rastafarians don’t smell too good. And that was so disgusting. But you know what he did? He made to run after me, so I started running. So he ran behind me in the studio, and when he caught up with me, he hugged me by my head under his arm. He said, you smell anything? And then he gave me my lesson 101, of how they wash their hair with aloes and how they clean their skin and blah blah blah. But I thought that was a wonderful experience for me.”

ElvaRussell-Rolle

1946-2022

Photo shows Mrs. Elva Rolle and Sir Sidney Poitier at the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) awards celebration in New York City in the year 2000 when His Excellency Anthony Rolle served as Ambassador to the United Nations in New York City.

His Excellency had fallen ill and as we were hosts for the event, me and my sister, Ethelyn Russell-Rolle along with a large contingent of Bahamians including Sir Sidney’s siblings and other family members, were Sir Orville Turnquest, former Governor General of The Bahamas, former Deputy Prime Minister, Hon.

Frank Watson, the late Sir William Allen as well as the late Calvin Johnson who served as Consul General and many other notables from the tri-state area were present for this gala event.

The room was filled with excitement as expressions of our love and appreciation for his achievements flowed, as we all embraced Sir Sidney.

As usual, he did us proud.

To Sir Sidney with love.

Mrs. Rolle was a very nice lady. She was like a mother to me. Mrs. Rolle always checked up on me through work, ensuring that I was ok. She would always send a WhatsApp message or call me to see how classes were coming along. Sometimes I felt like giving up and she would always say “Now look here, don’t ever use those words, you made it this far, so why quit now”? When you try to explain she would say “that wasn’t for you to respond. Stay focused and it will all be over.” I would only say “yes ma’am.” She always expressed the importance of education. She had a pure heart. Mrs. Rolle fought for what she believed was right. I am so grateful that I had a positive bond with Mrs. Rolle. She definitely will be missed but never forgotten.

Jamal Rolle

The country has lost a wonderful, talented young lady. While at ZNS Elva produced excellent Tourism Awareness vídeos for MoT that got the message across perfectly. A beautiful soul has gone to be with the Lord. Deepest condolences to her husband, Boozie, my University of Miami classmate, and to her children - Tracee, Gemma and Andrew. May Elva’s soul rest in eternal peace and rise in glory.

Angela Cleare

Iwill always remember your words of wisdom, beautiful smile and infectious laugh. Take your rest my sister.

Laverne Bowe

Elva Russell Rolle was a giant in the broadcasting industry in the Bahamas. She was a naturally gifted radio and television host with impeccable acumen and command of the English. She has inspired a generation of young Bahamians and after she appeared on Immediate Response on ZNS with me, she would call me often after my show to give me pointers. She was selfless like that. I have known her all of my life and was close to her brothers Bruce, Ormand, and Garry. I thank her today publicly for raising the ceiling on my possibilities

Spence Finlayson

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment shared, until it becomes a Memory. You were a Gift loan to us and shall be remembered and treasured forever in our Hearts!

Rest In Peace Elva Russell-Rolle!

From, Sherrymae Saunders

You will always be missed. Especially December 29

Elva was truly the life of the party. She enjoyed celebrating life and always found a way to make others smile. I enjoyed listening and chatting with you. The picture here with us in Yellow, we were celebrating my 56th birthday. At that party, Elva told me she had to look hard to find yellow to wear because that’s not her color:) That night we had a BLAST on the dance floor. Elva, you will be missed. May your soul rest in heavenly peace.

Iam grateful to have known MCM Elva. She contributed to my growth both personally and professionally. I will forever remember her kind words, support and guidance. She was indeed one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Forever in our hearts. May her soul rest in peace.

Love, Pakesia

The Free National Movement has lost an esteemed Meritorious Council Member (MCM) and patriot, who never faltered in her push to see better for our beautiful Commonwealth.

Elva Russell-Rolle was revered for her work ethic, project management skills, and commitment to quality and style in all her endeavours.

While Elva is remembered as a leading broadcaster, and insurance industry professional we in the Free National Movement came to appreciate her political acumen, and never-ending support for the party that she so loved She worked tirelessly promoting the efforts of the FNM and its candidates She stood with and defended the principles and vision of her party in our glorious moments of victory and in the disappointing times of defeat.

Elva assisted and supported the party, its members, candidates, and supporters both financially and through volunteerism She was never shy to give her opinion, she would always share a word to the wise and stood strong in her beliefs. She was an extraordinary human being, effective in her delivery and deliberation of issues of the day, but most of all she was honest, compassionate, and respected by us all.

Elva was a wife supported her husband’s political ambitions and is known for having been a vital organizer and backbone of his political campaigns. However, in her own right Elva developed her own character of advocacy and representation. This was was evident in the development of her deliberate and consistent voice on matters of equality of women, and her dedication to human rights. Elva’s tenacity and strength were always admirable and formidable.

Elva obtained the highest level of award in the Free National Movement, the award of Meritorious Council Member (MCM), this is a premier and limited category of member of the FNM The award goes to those who have delivered decades of considerable sacrifice and resources to the FNM, and whose advice and wise counsel are sought after. She deserved to be MCM and so much more.

The Free National Movement joins with former Member of Parliament and MCM Anthony "Boozie" Rolle, Tracee, Gemma, and Andrew, as well as Elva’s grandchildren, siblings and all who knew and loved her, as we say farewell and well done to a wonderful woman, worthy of praise.

May her soul rest in peace.