Obituary

BISHOP JOSEPH ALEXANDER ZONICLE JP YAHWEH’S TRIBUTE

As Pastor Joseph Alexander Zonicle was born, on the 31st July, though 31st of August is recorded 1919, in Port Howe, San Salvador Island, the original landfall of Christopher Columbus in 1492, now called Cat Island. He is the fifth child of Charles B. and Ruth Zonicle.

He received his formative education at the All-Age Public School at Port Howe, where he became a Monitor at the age of fourteen (14).

At the age of sixteen (16), in 1943, he settled in Nassau, where he was able to fulfill the dream of his Mother to learn a Trade, training as an apprentice to the then premier Carpenter on the Island of New Providence. He excelled as a Carpenter, creating furniture for many notable Bahamian Families.

He was also a member of The Carpenters’ Union, and became its President. As President, he shared his vision to move the Labour Struggle forward by capitalizing upon the gains of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the return of a legally trained ‘firebrand’ for Labour Rights in the person of the late Sir Randol Fawkes, who had been exposed to the American Civil Rights Movement, via amalgamation of all existing Unions into one Federation, and, to have Lawyer Fawkes as its President. This was the birth of the Bahamas Federation of Labour. He became its first Secretary General.

The Bahamas Federation of Labour was thus, one of the founding, and, catalytic, national, civil rights movements that led to Majority Rule.

In his capacity as Secretary General of The Bahamas Federation of Labour, Pastor Zonicle not only worked side by side with, but was also, the inspirational confidant of Sir Randol Fawkes. Together, with others, they agitated for Majority Rule in The Bahamas. He is considered an Un-sung Hero of the Movement.

During World War II, Pastor Zonicle was among those Bahamians who took advantage of the Agricultural

Contract by which the British Government gave additional support to the United States’ War efforts, through the growing of food in Florida. His exposure to the magnificent homes in Florida motivated him to pursue Correspondence Training as an Architect at The American School of Architecture of the University of Chicago. Although family commitments prevented him from sitting his Final Examination to be certified as an Architect, he has drawn approved plans for many homes in The Bahamas, as well as built and oversaw the construction of homes, and, major commercial projects.

During his early thirties, Pastor Zonicle decided to devote himself to the Call of Almighty God, on his life, received at the age of eighteen (18) years, in the historic Zion Baptist Church, East and Shirley Streets.

He was among the first Graduates in Theology at the Bahamas Baptist Bible Institute. After serving for many years as a Deacon in the Zion Baptist Church, he became a Founding Member of the Central Baptist Church, initially a Foreign Missions outreach of the Southern Baptist Convention, from which Church he was ordained in the early 1960’s, and, on 1964, became the Pastor of one of the Missions planted by this Church, the Providence Baptist Church (Ecclesia) on Robinson Road.

Pastor Zonicle also served as a Labor Officer with the Department of Labour, Government of The Bahamas, for over ten years, during which period he had the privilege and satisfaction of administering The Fair Labour Standards Act, The Bahamas’ First Labour Legislation, which he and others had achieved for the Nation.

Pastor Zonicle has been married to the beautiful Mrs. Estella Louise Zonicle, nee Belle of Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera, for the past seventy-four (74) years, as of June, 2022. They have one Son (deceased), and, twelve (12) professionally trained Daughters.

Pastor Zonicle received on the 25th October 2021, an “Award of Appreciation” for “long and dedicated service” from The National Association of Justices of the Peace.

Interested always in the development, especially spiritually and academically, of his Progeny, Pastor Zonicle and Mrs. Zonicle attended, in Atlanta Georgia, USA, the Graduation Ceremony of their Granddaughter, Niké Gardiner, May 4, 2019, who attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management, from Clayton State University.

At the age of one hundred, he gave away in marriage his third Daughter, Josephine, to Mr. Manuel Lopes, on the 19th of November, 2021.

He Blessed his latest Great Grandchild, Laia Neymour, at the age of three weeks, on 26th November, 2021.

Pastor Zonicle loved reading and gardening.

However, his greatest, never diminished passion, was Evangelism, which he always pursued boldly, with all he came into contact, whatever their status or station, and, without fear or favour.

Pastor Zonicle went ‘Home’ to be with Lord on the morning of 4th February, 2022.

Predeceased:

Father: Charles Benjamin Zonicle

Mother: Henrietta ‘Hennetta’ Ruth Zonicle

Grand Father: Charles Zonicle

Grand Mother: Hannah Hunter - Zonicle

Sisters: Margaret Walkine, Prudence Storr and Diana Wilson

Brothers: George Zonicle 1917-2015

Charles Zonicle 1928-2014

Son: Joseph Alexander Zonicle II 1953-1966

Grand Daughters: Apphia Zonicle Neymour 1993 - 1998

Kevinique Shawanna Munroe 1991-2019

Grand Son: Jonathan(Lieutenant) Jerome Carroll 1980 - 2021

Great Grand Daughter: Eloise Marie Russell [ Sept. 28 2017 (Still-borne) ]

Great Grand Son: Jarret Arthur McClain [Still born ]

Son-in Law: Eddie Ivan Barton ‘Frank’ Claude

Aunts: Betsy Zonicle,Charity Zonicle-Williams and Sarah

Ann Zonicle

Uncles: Solomon Zonicle and Alfred Zonicle

Nephew: George A. Zonicle Jr. Baby Charles Zonicle

Sisters- in-Law: Eugelean ‘Eugie” Turnquest 1937 - 2015

Celeta Zonicle 1931 -2019

Hazel Carey 1932-2020

Survived By:

Wife: Estella Louise Belle-Zonicle

Children: Marilyn Theodora Zonicle, Mellany Joanne Zonicle, Josephine “Dody-phine” Estella Zonicle-Lopes, Christiana Marva Russell, Deborah Mildred Zonicle, Pauline Athell

Zonicle-Claude, Martha Catharine-Ann Minnis, Dr. Samra

Marina Zonicle-Newton, Clavia Melissa McClain, Shernell

Athena Zonicle-Gardiner, Sheena Elizabeth Angelique

Zonicle, Wanza Jurusha Munroe, Jamal Taylor (adopted)

Son-In-Law: Dr. Julian Russell, Samuel McClain, Lloyd

Gardiner, Pastor Roland Newton, Kevin Munroe, Pastor Clinton Minnis, and Manuel Lopes

Grand Children: Jonquill “Jockin” (Lavaro) Phylis BethellNeymour, Shekyra (George) Lightfoot (adopted), Andrew (Stephanie) Julian Russell, Jason (Mindy) Christian Russell, Jamila “Jam-Jam” Hadiya Christiana Russell, Ophir Zonicle Neymour, Gabrielle “Garbola” (Ondrey) Renaté Candace Wright-McKenzie, Charisma Evangelica Minnis, Aneka Keryssa Minnis, Dominic “Dom-dom” Joseph Alexander

Newton, Theo (Anna) Jarret McClain, Alexander Blake McClain, Samia Lauryn McClain, Clavia Aaliyah McClain, Nachalah Shirnelle Gardiner, Niké “Serious-Celestia”

Lloydiece Gardiner, Josué (Joselyn) Raymond, William

Josué Zonicle Raymond, Joseph Alexander Zonicle, Deborah ElizabeAh Zonicle, Kevin Tyrone Munroe Jr, Churton Joseph Munroe, Jurusha Mellany Munroe, Joshua Timothy Munroe, Marina Anita Joelle Munroe

Great GrandChildren: Jaden Joseph Carroll, Jonathan Robert Carroll, Lavaranae Shivonia Neymour, Lanae Reyna Jonquill Neymour, Lavaro Ricardo Jonathan Neymour, Lajuan Rickey

Joseph Neymour, Laia L. Jodi Neymour, George Lightfoot, Judah Jezreel Russell, Naomi Sarai Russell, Isaiah Justice Russell, Elijah Stephen Russell, Aaliyah Claire Russell, Zion Elizabeth Russell, Rayne Gabriella McKenzie, Blaise Alexander

McKenzie, Claire Catherine McKenzie, Lyon Jarret McClain, Kadin “Lion-Lamb” Athena Gardiner

Brother-in-Law: Preston Turnquest

Nephews: Glen Zonicle, Charles A. Zonicle Jr., Eden Zonicle, Charles “CB” (Deborah) Zonicle, Audley Zonicle, Carlton Zonicle, William(Janice) Zonicle, Nathaniel Zonicle, Nelson Zonicle, Clyde Fox, Sterling Charlton Sr., Bertie(Joan) Carey, Edward Carey, Peter(Arnette) Carey

Nieces: Mabel Gardiner, Dorothy Lunn, Ruth(Samuel) Rolle, Esther Vincent, Whilliamae Zonicle, Ellen Roberts. Virginia “Jean” Zonicle, Belva Zonicle, Barbara Zonicle, Judith Hunt, Iris Sequra, Lydia Wallace, Lillis,and Deserene Zonicle, Montrea “Ginger” Dames-Brown, Vernice Smith,, Erica Henfield, Mable D. Gardiner, Dorothy Lunn, Indira Belle, Joanna Carey, Freeda Stubbs, Florence Belle, Vivian Rahming, Rev. Andrea Taylor, Linda Pinder, Machelle(Desmond) Sands, Vandora(Colin) Johnson

Grand Nieces: Jessica Martin, Vanessa, Jasmine and Desiyah Charlton, Shakera Fox, Lenora Greene, Brenda Smith, Daniel, De’Asja, Dejah Brown, Daneha Bethel, Ebony Carey, Rosalyn(Ricardo) Gauthier, Renee, Richelle Roberts, Vanessa Bonamy, Ashley Rolle, Shameka, Kenniska, Kenya(Stefon)

Gibson, Lethera Carey, Latanya Tilme, Kimberley(Donovan) Seymour, Kay Simmons, Shanell Rhing, Tracy Scott, Nekara Ferdinand, Gabriel(Narintheo) Hepburn, Niecey Taylor, Banka, Kristina, Kayanna Cooper, Aaliyah, Megan, Tonya, Zana, Ashley, Christian, Bora, Sonya, Jin-Ah, Jiana Hunte, Tiffany, Sascha, Maria, Pella and Tanya

Grand Nephews: Addis Huyler, Clyde Antonio Fox, Jr., Sterling Charlton, Jr., Sean, Denardo and Andy Smith, Terrance, Darryn, Ryan (Zelinda), Renaldo Scavella, Christopher, William, Javann, George, Michael, Jonathan Zonicle, Sheiko Hoyte, Rashad, Stephen Zonicle, Dylan, Marcian, Mykiah, Adrian Zonicle, Aquille, Aquino Zonicle, Ethrin Zonicle, Jamaal Solomon, Bishop Terrance(Sandra) Taylor, Michael, John Carey, Edward Carey Jr., Matthew Carey, Greg Wilson, Carnell Pinder, Demetrius(Dakota) Taylor, Bentle, Cameron Hall, Kylan Gibson, Peter Carey Jr., Gregory Johnson, Kendrick, Zane, and Christoph

Extended Family and Friends: The Family of Maude and Charles Carey, the Family of Breazetta and Arthur Moxey, the Family of Thomas Smith, Mary Bastian, Judy Grant, the Family of Mrs. Rose Newton, the Family of the late Mrs. Edith Minnis, Clinton McCartney and McCartney’s Pharmacy, Geneva Fynes, Eleanor Steele and Family, Lucile Davis and Family, Emily Hall and Family. The Family of Velma and Adolphus Bain, Elijah Lewis and Family, Larry Duncombe, Harrison Small, Evie Dremiz, the Family of Marina Pratt, the Family of Mrs. Helen Delores Russell, the Family of Herman and Laura McClain, Dave Neymour, Josue’ Raymond, Linda Major, Beverly Taylor, Udean (Paul) Satem, Providence Baptist Church Inc. ( Minnis, Rolle, Knowles, Forbes, Albury, McPhee, Goodman and Stuart Families) Pastor Geoffry Wood, Temple Baptist Church Family, Light of The World Missionaries, The Central Baptist Church Family, the Family Judy Grant and Mary Bastian, The Families of Ludlow Street East and West, George and Fredericka McCartney and Family, the Family of Ruth Goodridge (Barbara Chung, Janice and Paul Major, Hugh and Wendal Clarke, Robin and Ricky Rolle), the Family of Gladys Burrows, the Family of Winnifred Young, the Family of K S and Dorothy Darling, the Family of Gladstone and Noami Christie, the Family of Peter Turnquest, the Family of Conrad and Nettie Knowles, the Family of Leonard and Ruth Knowles, the Family of Mr and Mrs. Hurbert Saunders, Cynthia Lobosky, Chinese and Sheila, the Arnette Family, The Aranah Family, the Moss Family, the Family of Bishop John Davis, Godet Family, Strachan Family, Burrows Family,the Family of Winifred Smith, Deacon Arlinton Moss and Family. The Right Honorable Perry G. Christie and Family, the Clarke Family, The Mount Royal Avenue Community, All the remaining Families of The Valley Community that we have not mentioned by name, Floral Fantasia, the Justice of the Peace Association and the Deep South Cat Island Movement. Chef Saunders, Whitfield, Dr. Kirkland Culmer, Dr. Indira Grimes, Dr. Frederick Smith, Dr. Bimal Francis, Dr. Dawn RussellHermans, Dr. K. Bain, Dr. Scriven, Dr. Ormand Richardson, and Dr. Alexander Emenyonu