Obituary Icelyn Marthany affectionately called “SUG” by many was the last of her nineteen (19) siblings. She was Born on the 22nd of February 1948 in the settlement of Nicholl’s Town, North Andros to the proud parents; Leon Hutchinson, a seaman and Letitia Hutchinson, a housewife and homemaker. Being the apple of her father’s eyes, Icelyn hardly never got into trouble. Her sister Norma recalls that it was her duty to get Icelyn and Brenda into trouble. Norma says” I was a tattle tale, I got everyone into trouble!” Despite this she says“, Icelyn and I were inseparable”. Regular days in the Hutchinson household would begin with Icelyn and her siblings doing chores before going to school. After school, the kids would play hide and seek then “Moonshine Baby” towards the night. In her childhood years, Icelyn received education at Nicholl’s Town All-Age School. Sadly, her mother passed away shortly after her 9th birthday but she still excelled at the top of her class. Icelyn was an exceptional student but at the tender age of 16 had to seek work at Bahama Lumber Company in Stafford Creek, Andros as a teacher upon the death of her father. Upon working at the Lumber Farm, she met Vantlock Fowler and two years later they got married in Nassau. There was no work in Andros, so they never returned. Eneas Lane became their home. Like her mother, Icelyn was a homemaker but was only the mother of four children, whom she cared for and loved beyond measure. Her children recall always hearing her praying at night for them and her loved ones, after reading her bible. Icelyn loved the Lord and was of service to him. She expressed one of the greatest commandments as loving your neighbor as yourself and doing unto others as you would want them to do unto you. She loved to sing. She sang in her church choir, sometimes as a soloist and duets as well. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting and watching PTL network. She would enjoy a few weeks every other month traveling to Andros. Every day she would go around the settlement visiting her family and friends and was nicknamed “Walkaton” by her sister Norma. Icelyn not only cared for her children but also her grandchildren and many of her family members. She always made her home available to them. She was an excellent cook and there was hardly a time you visited her home that you were not fed or left empty-handed. In recent years, she was diagnosed with Dementia and suffered epileptic seizures. She became depressed because she was always independent and she struggled with having to become codependent.
Sadly, Icelyn left her home not knowing that she should never return. The only comfort to her family is knowing that she is in the loving arms of her Lord and personal Saviour, Jesus Christ. She will be truly missed by her family and friends. She was pre-deceased by her Parents, Leon and Letitia Hutchinson, and her son Stephen Brent Fowler. Left to cherish precious memories are her: Children: John Fowler, Letitia Fowler and Marcia Fowler-Seymour; Siblings: John, Joseph, Careen, Thomas, Blossom, Vernon, Errol, Mavis and Joycelyn; Son in Law: Urias Seymour, I; Daughter-in-Law: Maireni de Lopez Fowler; Grandsons: John Christian, Erin Christopher and Trae Austen Fowler, Blake Farquharson and Franklyn Gibson, Darius and Urias Seymour, II; Granddaughters: Sierra and Chelsi Fowler, Zoe Fowler, Hannah Carroll and Dymynd Seymour; Brother: Leon Hutchinson; Sisters: Branhilda, Delcine and Norma Hutchinson; Nieces: Clara Evans, Brenda Nesbitt, Christine Burrows, Thalia Conyers, Barbara Sweeting, Berris Barr, Janice Pickstock, Bridgette Roberts, Vandella Bowe, Lynette Jones, Natalee and Laverne Hutchinson, Karen Stubbs, Rochelle, Ruby, Caphy and Phenice Morley, Camille, Claudine, Cecille Hutchinson, Carlis Wallace, Zera Evans, Ingrid Scott, Renee Barnett, Ronnie Roberts, Sharmaine Smith, Joyanne, Leotha and Neketha Roberts, Patricia Ebanks, Tasha Munnings, Erica, Hope, Tonia and Rita Hutchinson; Nephews: Ivan Conyers, Carlton Bowleg, Sr., John Neville, Kirk, Stanford, Joseph, Jr., Kenneth, Leslie Hutchinson Thomas Neilly, Brent Munnings, Clement Hutchinson, Edson Watson, Dennis Hutchinson Gerreth, Trevor, Solomon and Nicholon Roberts, Livingston Evans, Van Hutchinson and Trevor Grant, Erskine, Davie, Cardinal, Maxwell and Elvie Woods; Sister-In-Law: Vernell Hutchinson; Grand Nieces: Patrice Marshall, Ingrid, Yvette, Tamara and Takara Nesbitt, Nicole Holder, Nedra and Nadia Ebanks, Kim and Deanne Conyers, Dr. Gertrude Holder, Chara and Cherice Burrows, Davronette Henson, Ania, Thalia and Teniqua, Sheva Nixon Ursula and Nadia Jones, Tenia Curry, Tanell and Temra Russell and Tajah Rolle, Indira Wallace, Katia and Kadesha Scott, Keisha Hanna, Janae Head, Janell Donaldson, Monalisa Lubin, Christina Riley Romer, Rodrese Bowe, Avis Russell, Fredricka Rolle, Ellarese Williams, Kristinette Lewis, Jillian, Dekoya and Sasha Morley, Robyn, Ashley, Asheran and Deastie, Alecia,
Sharonne, Raven, Brenelle, Achantae, Shenia, Chiketra, Danielle,Tessa and Peyton Roberts, Madra Higgins; Grand Nephews: Cyril Peet, Julius, Quincy and Akeem Marshall, Rio, Alpacino and Keno Nesbitt, Lucian Bullard, Dennis and Eric. Valdez Darville, Arvin, Jason, Achara and Shannon Wallace, Jamaal Barnette, Jen Russell Jr, Fontaine and Damone Riley, Chavo Ferguson, Vaughn, Sheriek, Nelson, Bjon, Ziv, Kai’Jai, Omari, Regan, Perez, Dervin, Dianesio, Tremaine and Tyson Stubbs. Nathan Rovan and Donald, Leroy, Gregory, Brian and Randy Foulkes, Niketo Brown, C-Jay, Travis Knowles, Ethan Munnings, Tito Treco, Turan Pratt, Tyler Russell, Kavan and Kamal Scott, Gerrad and Jordan Roberts, Kino and Takio Pickstock, Burton, Maurice and Desmond Conyers, Max Cartwright, Ryan Russell, Frank Hanna, BJ and Dexter Gaitor, Amare and Jahmeer Morley. Too Numerous to Mention... God Children: Pandora Evans, Tramaine Thompson, Wilfred Bain II and Ashlin Johnson; Her Extended Family: Evadney Cartwright and Family, Adline Fowler, Darnell Fowler, Rosnell Lightbourne and Family, Marina Lee and Family, Shirley Brown and Family, Rosabell Wilson and family, Rebecca Scott and Family, Locksley Fowler and family, Susan Bethell, Deborah Bowleg and Family, Kevin, Leslie and Whitmore Fowler, Yvonne Rolle and family, Barbara Rolle, Alvara Fowler, Zhivago Adderley, Leon Wilson and Family and Sherrylyn NorthFowler, Nadia Major, Najawa Edgecombe, Patirck Jr, Patrico and Perez, Niquita and Nataya Leadon and Clavar Fowler. Sherell Conliffe, Shaniqua, Shanice and Harvey Woodside II. Harvey and Roselda Woodside, Wendell Newton, Shawn and Shanel Serrette; Special Friends: Betty Humes, Veronica Gaitor, Monica Wilson, Elnecka Finlayson and Cynthia Fox; Numerous Friends And Family Including: Vantlock Fowler, Vernita Rolle and Family, Walter Evans and Family, Gordon Humes, Valentino Morgan and Family, Gwendolyn Spence, Estella Simmons and Family, Jillian and Lisa, Jackie, Christa and Jerry McMinns, Brenda Ferguson, Patrick Albury, Cyril and Diane Knowles, Kingsley and Monica Wilson, Jennnifer Wilson Ferguson, Christie Chipman, Peter Isaacs, Jeremy Russell and Family, Brian Johnson and Family, Dellarese Edgecombe, Ron Shearer and Daphne Shearer, George and Patricia Berry, Christopher and Latoya Oliver, Shantelle Rolle, Wilfred and Terry Bain and Family, William and Claudia Knowles, Andrew and Lillis Thompson, Janet Hepburn, Patrick Leadon, Brent Isaacs and Family, Jackie, Pedro and Anna Mimi Roberts, Elwood Higgins, Andrea and Faye, Forester Carroll, Nancy ,Solomon Roberts, Sherwin Burrows, Tamara Francis, Lathia Meadows, Darren Sweeting, Deirdre Minnis, Danny Wright, Sharlene Harris, Dr Halladay and Family, Sharlene Lightbourne, Cheryl and Joshua Sands. McQueen Williams, Sandra Smith and Family, Jermaine Smith and Family, Emmanuel Wilson of Ghana West Africa, Jermaine and Jalinka Strachan, The Cox Family, The Brooks Family, The Bowe Family, Sheila, Kayla, Ken, Brian Larrimore, The Hepburn Family, The Entire Lumumba Road West Family, Eneas Lane Family, The Entire Nicholls Town Community, Emmanuel Gospel Chapel Family, Grace Community Church and Central Gospel Chapel; Caretakers: Nativida Anestor, Genitha Michel and Icelet Datus. Special Thanks: Chief Superintendent Walter Evans II, ASP Mitchell, ASP Cash, W/P Skippings, W/P Bowles, The Entire Search Team, the telephone calls, the visits, the hospitality too Numerous to Mention we say Thank you beyond measure.
Order of Service PRELUDE | Grace Praise Team & Musicians SEATING OF THE FAMILY WORDS OF COMFORT | Senior Pastor Lyall Bethel HYMN OF WORSHIP | “And Can It Be” And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Saviour’s blood? Died He for me who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be? That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? ‘Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies! Who can explore His strange design? In vain the first-born seraph tries To sound the depths of love divine! ‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore, Let angel minds inquire no more. He left His Father’s throne above, So free, so infinite His grace; Emptied Himself of all but Love, And bled for Adam’s helpless race; ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; For, O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night; Thine eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee. No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach the’ eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ, my own.
INVOCATION | Pastor Emeritus, Marcel Lightbourne (Grace Community Church) HYMN OF AFFIRMATION OF FAITH | “Blessed Assurance” Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Saviour am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE READING | Psalm 27 | Dr. Gertrude Holder (Grandniece) SOLO | Miss Shenia Roberts (Grandniece) NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE READING | 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 | Miss Kim Conyers (Grandniece) HYMN OF COMFORT | “There Is A Fountain” There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains: Lose all their guilty stains; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its pow’r, Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved, to sin no more: Be saved, to sin no more, Be saved, to sin no more; Till all the ransomed Church of God Be saved, to sin no more.
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away: Wash all my sins away, Wash all my sins away; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die: And shall be till I die, And shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die.
SOLO | Mr. Jeremy Russell (Family Friend) MEMORIES OF A GRANDSON | Mr. John Christian Fowler (Grandson) TRIBUTES | Kristinette and Dervin Stubbs (grandniece and nephew) CONDOLENCES | Elder Ben Smith (Emmanuel Gospel Chapel) Pastor Ron Shearer (Blue Hill Gospel Chapel) Elder William Knowles (Central Gospel Chapel) MUSICAL TRIBUTE | Central Gospel Chapel Choir SERMON | Senior Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Rex Major (Grace Community Church) PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY | Elder Bradford Isaacs (Central Gospel Chapel)
RECESSIONAL 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.
Let us, then, be true and faithful, Trusting, serving ev’ry day; Just one glimpse of Him in glory Will the toils of life repay.
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.
While we walk this pilgrim pathway, Clouds may overspread the sky; But when traveling days are over, Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Graveside Hymns What A Friend We Have In Jesus
That City Of Gold
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear; What a privilege to carry Ev’rything to God in pray’r Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Ev’rything to God in pray’r.
There’s a city of light Where there cometh no night Tis a city of beauty untold All my treasures are there And its beauty I’ll share, When I get to that city of gold.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in pray’r. Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our ev’ry weakness, Take it to the Lord in pray’r. Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in pray’r. Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in pray’r; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
When I leave all trouble and care I will say good morning up there I will have great gladness untold When I get to that city of gold. There’s no sorrow up there, In that city so fair And no sickness can enter I’m told Shadows all will have flown I will meet friends I’ve known When I get to that city of gold. Won’t you go there with me To the home of the free Would you see heaven’s beauty unfold If you will come along We will sing heaven’s song When we get to that city of gold.
As I Knew Her ISomewhere in my heart beneath my grief and pain Is a smile we wear at the sound of your name The precious word in “MOTHER”, She was my world you see, But now my heart is breaking, because she is no longer here with me. God chose her for His angel to watch me from above To guide me and advise me and know I that I’m still loved The day she had to leave me when her life on earth was through God had better plans for her, for this, I surely knew. When I think of her kind her and all those loving years, My memories surround me and I can’t hold back the tears I want to thank you mother for teaching me so well, And though the time has come that I must bid to you Farewell. I’ll remember all that you have taught me and make you proud, you’ll see me Thank you my dear Mother for all the love you showed Although you’ve left this earth and now you’ve taken flight. To be in the loving arms of your Lord Jesus Christ LOVE ALWAYS, Marcia
To My Mother Oh death where is you sting? Oh grave where is your victory? This is indeed a bitter sweet moment for me, knowing that you are no longer here with us. We are gathered here today in the memory of my mother, Iceyn Fowler, so that together we may acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life was to us, and the pain that her passing brings. In sharing the joy and the pain together today, may we lessen the pain and remember more clearly the joy. I do, however thank you for the time spent, leaving me exactly 51 years to the date your brought me into this world, to go to a better place! I will forever be grateful to you! While my father taught me how to be a man, you taught me the importance of how to love and respect others and how to take of myself. You once said to me, which has been indelibly etched in my mind, “learn how to do everything around the home, so whenever you get a wife, and she if she becomes ill, you will be able to take care of her”. I remember with much fondness, my first cooking class with my mom, I was 6 years old, you took a chair and placed near the stove and I stood in it and fried my first egg! What enforced this yearning in home domestication, was a time you travel to your beloved Andros to your Aunts’s funeral, leaving us with Dad. I distinctly remember Dad cooking boil chicken, half boil cabbage, and half boil potatoes!! Everything that weekend was boil! He did however, redeemed himself when he made us soursop ice cream! Thank you mom, for imparting your knowledge of the culinary arts to me. Though you were only 70 when you unexpectedly passed away a few weeks ago. It’s hard to say goodbye. We wish that we had more time, and perhaps that during the time we had we had spent more of it together. We wish that so much of her life had not been lost to her illness, that things could have been different for her, and for us. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love and
perseverance. The ways she touched our lives will remain, and I ask you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with me and with one another. The most important thing in her life was her faith in God. I remember my father telling us that in July of 1966, he got up from his seat and he turned around and saw my mom following! And they both made the most important decision any human being can make, the decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ! And she lived the Christian life! Therefore, because of this example, I can say that she has fought the good fight, She has finished the race, She has kept the faith. Now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to her on that day! Her family, and her role as mother and grandmother, was the most important thing to Mom. This is where she drew her strength and left her legacy. Being with her family was what Mom enjoyed most of all. Her life had many obstacles, and she struggled for many years with various illnesses . Yet through it all, her love and caring for her family remained her focus, and in so many, many ways, she was able to show that love to us. This perseverance through adversity is a powerful lesson for us, and I believe it is her legacy. What a wonderful lesson she gave us. Keep your priorities straight. Keep that which is most important in focus. Love and care for your family. Let them know in all the ways you can show them that you love them. Don’t let adversities or setbacks or any of the distractions of the world keep you from this most important aspect of life. There was also a side of her which my late brother and I thought was humorous, but she was very serious....CLEANLINESS!!! OMG! Her two favorite quotes were, “that’s the height of nastiness “ and “cleanliness is next to Godliness” that latter, which she frightened us as children, and of which I searched all through the Bible for and didn’t get the answer until my dad told me that phrase came from a sermon by John Wesley back in 1778, and wasn’t biblical. Lol. I am going to miss you, but I know I will see you again! And when I see you, you will be in a perfect body! Free from all your infirmities, heartaches, and pain! I thank God for Jesus, I thank him for shedding his blood for you! This is my consolation, knowing that you are in paradise with the Lord. Gone, but never forgotten! Love Your Son John
Grammy, words can’t express how much I miss you and love you. It hurts me to know that you are no longer here with us. I never thought that I would be writing a tribute to you so sudden and so soon. All I have now are memories that will live forever in my heart. I remember that last time I saw you and went over to your house and you were laying down in your room. I said “Grammy”, and you rolled over and pitched up and gave me a big hug and kiss. If I knew that that would be the last time that I would see you, I would have hugged you a little longer and tell you how much I love you. I remember growing up, I spent most days after school by your house and the summer days as well. Those were the best days of my childhood. Not only did you love your grandchildren but you also loved the children in the neighborhood as your own. I will miss those days playing in the yard with my siblings. Cousins and friends. I will miss watching “Bold and Beautiful” with you and asking you a million questions just to catch up on the episodes that I missed. I will miss those days when you would go to Andros and come back with all your fresh fruits, especially those sweet watermelons you would cut and share among us. I will miss those days when you would make me and Chelsi shell peas, while Chrissy, Erin and Trae would be playing in the yard. I will miss when you would tell me, “Sierra, Go get my rollers and come set my hair” while you would watch the 7 o’clock news. I remember when you would get dress for church and ask me “how I look?”, and I would say “Grammy, you vain ya know”, but still smile and say “you look good.” You loved compliments and loved being catered to. I will miss those days you would go to the hospital just for an outing and for every time you would bring us back some of that hospital bread that we liked. Grammy, most of all I will miss your cooking. You were the best cook. I could hear you now saying, “girl, you sweet mouth like ya pa” every time I would ask you to put gravy on my rice. I could go on and on about all the wonderful memories that we shared, but I will keep them in my heart forever. You were a woman of God and a virtuous woman. You were loved by so many and many loved you. I love you Grammy. Continue to take you rest my ANGEL. Love always, Sierra
An orchard of love ultimately grows in the
Hearts of Grandmothers Unconditional love, like yours is one that was undefined. There are a vast amount of memories that I am elated to have shared with you. A substantial amount of days were spent in your presence where your house was not only filled with love, but was an oasis to many. I will forever e grateful for having you in my life and experiencing many of life’s greatest pleasures with you. When I think of you, there are many memories that I will forever cherish. Yu will always have a cherished place in not only my memories but in my heart. Your departure is one that is unthinkable, but I am content to know that you are truly in a better place. All I have are memories and your picture to reminisce. The world will continue to orbit from day to day but your memories will never fade away. Now that you are at rest, you will forever live in the hearts of those who love you best. Love, Chelsi (Granddaughter)
The Broken Chain We little knew the day that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you The day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories. Your love is still our guide, And though we cannot see you You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again. From your Siblings
Acknowledgements
The Family of Icelyn Fowler wishes to express sincere appreciation to the many family and friends for all of their support and encouragement during this time of bereavement. Your prayers, visits and acts of kindness will never be forgotten. It is during these difficult times that you recognize the power of love and its ability to bring comfort in the midst of anguish and despair. May the almighty god continue to bestow His richest blessings upon you.
Pallbearers Erin Fowler (Grandson) Trae Fowler (Grandson) Christian Fowler (Grandson) Franklyn Gibson (Grandson) Darius Seymour (Grandson) Urias Seymour (Son-In-Law) John Fowler (Son)
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