TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JAZ

Iam the fourth of twelve daughters, and by God’s grace, the first one to get married. Daddy influenced me from a very young age. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be married to a pastor. At an early age, I would often spend a great deal of time reading some of his theological books.

I am grateful that I was raised in a Christian home. Daddy always led us in family devotions and would tell us that we needed to know the Lord personally. I fondly remember walking down the aisle at Providence Baptist Mission Church, in the Grove. Shortly thereafter, Daddy baptized me. As a matter of fact, Daddy baptized my husband and our two sons.

Upon my return from studying abroad, Daddy encouraged me to use my training in Early Childhood development at Providence Kidee Center. We met in the old building that was destroyed by arsonists in 1995. I also have fond memories of Daddy leading Sister Mozelle Delevaux, Julian and me in door-to-door visitations. I think we knocked on every door in Ridgeland Park, West and Coconut Grove.

In Julian’s final semester at RTS, Orlando, we had exhausted our budget for seminary. Daddy gave Julian some advice that has left an indelible impression on both of us, as well as our children. He told my husband to explain to our children the importance of depending on the Lord for all things. In the past 27-plus years, we all have witnessed the Lord fulfilling His promises to us found in Mark 10:28-30.

I love to garden, and quite honestly, I learned to do so from Daddy. In Nassau, Daddy was quick to tell me that it was important to use the land for cultivating a garden. In the late1980’s, my family and I ate directly from my garden almost every day. One day, while he and Mom visited us in Texas, Daddy encouraged me to utilize our backyard for gardening and farming. By God’s grace, we reaped bunches of sweet peaches, pears, dates, blueberries, apples, blackberries, collard greens, kale, huge cucumbers, and swiss chard.

Thanks, Daddy. Looking back, I’m amazed at how much time you spent with each of your daughters. My family and I love you and will see you soon! I end with your favorite greeting: “Jesus Christ is Lord’’.

Christiana Marva Russell

Hearing the news of my grandfather’s death was bitter-sweet: I’m grateful that he’s finally worshipping Jesus in all His glory, but I’ll definitely miss seeing him every time I visit Nassau. My grandparents always did their best to make up for lost time each year we visited, and now it won’t be the same. However, when I reflect on his life, it has been a joy sitting with him and Grammy and hearing all about life growing up, how things were when they met, and how they loved each other. Granddaddy called me JamJam, and only he was designated to call me that. I am so blessed that a man who dedicated his life to serving God baptized me in the Atlantic Ocean and prayed over me that early morning.

Jamila Russell

Deborah MILDRED ZONICLE Daughter

Being the sixth child of thirteen and fifth daughter of Bishop Joseph Alexander and Estella Louise BelleZonicle has had its privileges and downfalls. As a child, I was sandwiched between sisters who were either high achievers, bossy and lazy or those that were cry babies, mischievous and lazy.

Although we had very limited means and were a family of 14 living in a 2 bedroom clapboard house, we had running water in the yard and bathroom only. We washed dishes (tin plates and cups) in a big white tin basin in the kitchen or in the back of the yard on the raised septic

I do not recall going to bed hungry too many times because even if it was only tea and bread or flour pap we had something. I recall daddy calling us every Sunday morning in the front room where they slept for morning devotions. Everyone had to pray and the older ones had to read the Bible. I remember daddy coming home from work riding his bicycle or walking home or being given a ride. I remember daddy helping me with my math homework. Daddy always believed in my abilities to handle his money as I recall him sending me to Barclays bank on the corner of Montrose and Madeira as young as 8 years old to make cash deposits by myself. I do not recall getting beaten from Mom too often because she would always say ‘wait till your daddy come home’. Daddy never spared the rod. I know I got beaten more than all 11 of them.

My parents are hand and glove. They complement each other. What one lacks the other makes up for. They have weathered many storms. They were each others first and only true love. I thank them for their sacrificial love in going without so we can have. For showing us that hard work doesn’t kill anybody. I salute them for 73 years of exemplary marriage. Giving and taking and always relying on our heavenly Father.

I admired my father so much that I always promised myself not to marry anyone that did not have his qualities. Hence probably the reason why I am single to this date.

Daddy’s life spanned two centuries. 1900 and 2000. He was around when the Bahamas, indeed the world, travelled by foot, donkey, horse and carriage, bicycle, stagecoach, sailboat, mailboat, steam ship, cruise ship, airplane, jet, concord, rocket. Mail went from telegram to email. Typewriters to computers.

Our currency from pound, shilling and pence to dollars and cents. Paper checks to plastic cards. Standing in line to online banking. Wire transfers to e-wallet, crypto currencies and cell phone transactions.

My father was a scholar throughout his life. He went to grade school without shoes, became a Teacher’s monitor, studied the Royal Readers, math, algebra, architecture, carpentry, standard Latin and Greek, went to seminary and was a great debater, Teacher, Preacher, lover of one woman Estella Louise Belle-Zonicle, father of a baker’s dozen, grandfather and great grandfather.

My father was a disciplinarian, strict with his daughters, a no nonsense man, yet had an astute sense of humour. He was a provider, an entrepreneur, guidance counsellor, chauffeur, church bus driver and friend.He loved all human beings and was not afraid to speak his mind.

Daddy was not perfect, he could not cook or boil water, I never saw him in the kitchen. His wife and daughters spoiled him. Yet he opened his humble abode to everyone .

Daddy gave and loaned money to many family and friends that in many cases have not been repaid. These funds were needed to take care of his own family.

Daddy was a man that could be trusted. When he operated a small grocery store, what his family did not consume, the rest was ‘trusted’ by neighbors and friends or stolen from the store in broad daylight or the shop was broken into at night. Still he had to pay the suppliers who extended to him lines of credit or he got numerous bank loans to replenish supplies.

However, there came a time when it really did not make sense to continue the business but he paid D’Albenas, Asa Pritchard, Barclays Bank all outstanding bills.

He was a Justice of the Peace. He married, did affidavits for many persons at no charge. His beloved darling attempted to chastise him many times for being so philanthropic.

All that I noted so far and others may recall and say about my father he would call dung. His priority for the past 86 years since the age of 16 was to be a witness for his Lord and saviour. To spread the gospel. He told us that while in the field in Port Howe, Cat Island. He asked his father, my grandfather ‘what do I need to do to be saved?’ His father’s response was ‘Joe, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.’ He said that he did as was told and his father led him in his prayer for salvation. Like his father led him in the sinner’s prayer, so did daddy lead me. This was his greatest gift to me. My tribute to my father is my admonishment to you. If you have not yet said and meant with all your being the ABC prayer, please do it now.

A – accept that you are a sinner. For all have sinned and come short of the free gift of God.

B – Believe that God (Yahweh) sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for your sin (John 3:16 For God so loved the world (you) that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life)

C – Confess with your mouth that you are a sinner and you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and that He came to make you a new creation, cleanse you of your sins and come into your heart. You accept his free gift of salvation that you cannot work for.

Now I can say like my father always said once he came into contact with anyone and presented the gospel of salvation your blood is not on my hands.

Daddy witnessed to his visitors even while laying on his bed. A few days before his passing, lying on his side, he witnessed to a young man and then led him kneeling at his bedside in the sinner’s prayer. That young man came to his house wanting MIP to bless him. He did not know that he would leave being truly blessed and leaving the house a newborn babe in Jesus Christ his saviour. Do you know who you are? MIP – Most Important Person. This was my father. MIP Joseph Alexander Zonicle. Loved, Special, Unique who revered God only. I give Yahweh, ALL THE GLORY, HONOR, THANKS AND PRAISE for Daddy’s life. He is in the presence of his Saviour. HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH.

Deborah M. Zonicle