Life Is But A Dream… REMEMBERING SHANTIQUE
It is said that life cannot be measured by how long we live but by how much we give. If this is true, Serenity Shantique Noelle Renae Brown, lived a fuller life than many adults. From her entrance into the world on Friday, January 13, 2012, this little angel began to affect the lives of her family and friends. Somehow, her parents, Lythera Roach and Perry Brown knew that she had come to change their lives forever, bringing the love and peace that we all desire in our lives, they aptly named her “Serenity.”
Serenity is from the Latin word ‘serenus,’ meaning “calm or peaceful, the absence of mental stress or anxiety. peace of mind, peacefulness, quietness, quietude, tranquility. If you ever met her, you know that the only thing that worried her was the wellbeing and peace of others. The love and care that existed in this child remains a mystery.
A mere 7 months after her arrival in the world, in August of 2012 she was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. It happens when a baby’s heart does not form correctly as the baby grows and develops in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. This diagnosis was shattering and heartbreaking news for everyone, but it seems as if it was Serenity’s confirmation that she didn’t have a long time to do the work she was sent here to do.
She attended Palmdale Primary where she graduated with her Preschool Diploma and completed up to grade 3 and then transferred to Ridgeland Primary where she graduated �� on June 15th, 2023, with her Primary School Diploma. She was so excited and looking forward to Junior High School.
Serenity loved making Tik Toks and creating memories with her family and friends. She ensured that everyone knew she loved them. She was a budding entrepreneur. With a jumpstart by her ‘sister baby’ with materials, she handmade bracelets to the customer’s likings, for sale.
Shantique, as some called her, was an “ole soul” in the way her motherly instincts kicked in at a young age when dealing with her brother Tristan, nephew Mason or her cousin Keanna who she cared for. They looked up to her. She thoroughly enjoyed her every other weekend with her Aunty Ellie and “favorite cousin” A’khari. She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed sleeping over when awarded the opportunity.
As Serenity grew older, her diagnosis came with lots of other minor diagnosis, yet still she stood strong on her faith in God. She had a positive outlook on life and never conceded defeat to her sickness. She always had a smile and always said “ I’m alright, God have me” She understood that her fate was determined by God and not man. She also understood that one day, she would leave this earth. Serenity loved her God and knew that she was safe with Him. Throughout her sickness, she would often say “I just want to be normal.” To be able to run and play with the other children is all she ever wanted. On July 19th, 2023, while in her mother’s arms, Serenity slipped from time into eternity. God answered her prayers and made her normal. Now she’s running and playing with the angels in her new body.
After eleven years of being on the front-line fighting, when Doctors weren’t sure she’d make it past her first birthday. After eleven years of bringing happiness to everyone and teaching them the true meaning of love and life through her actions. After eleven wonderful years of being brave, our Princess was granted her reward.
She fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the Faith. Fly high with the Angels Serenity Shantique Noelle Renae Brown, you deserve to be free!
Like a comet blazing ‘cross the evening sky, Gone too soon
Like a rainbow fading in the twinkling of an eye, Gone too soon Shiny and sparkly and splendidly bright, here one day, gone one night Like the loss of sunlight on a cloudy afternoon, Gone too soon.
SERENITY IS SURVIVED BY:
MOTHER: Lythera Roach;
FATHER: Perry Brown;
STEP-FATHERS: Ronald Jean-Simon & Jamal Bain;
SISTERS: Taniqua Peet, Shemarka Rolle, Brittney Campbell, Mya & Gabrielle Jean-Simon, Lapetria Brown, Davidra Goodman, Khyara Ferguson;
BROTHERS: D’Soraji Deleveaux, Tristen Jean-Simon, Lamond Ferguson, Perry Jr & Jim Brown, Jahmal Bain;
AUNTS: Xaviera, Adrumea & Samantha Roach, Laverne Mason, Shakaria Moxey, Caroline Rolle, Ellistina Knowles, Naquana Evans, Cherine Decosta, Shamarra Ward, Sharabell Dean, Erica Higgs, Sherell Roach, Beulahmae Jandine, Annamae Charlton, Lovinia, Dolly & Antoinette Brown, Cenamae Levarity, Sherina Wallace, Chantel Charite;
UNCLES: Dwayne Smith, Gamine & Frank Roach, Jason & Ervin Brown, Giles Moxey, James Mason, Richard Higgs, Valentino Wallace, Jackson Dalmond, Kenley & Clednor Charite;
GRAND-AUNTS: Katherina Huyler-Wells, Muriel Almonard, Quintine Longley, Gloria Huyler, Nora McCullough, Angela Higgs, Jacqui Skippings, Stephanie Sands, Marie Roach, Iris Albury, Mary Huyler, Carnetta Poitier, Ann Huyler, Annamae Huyler, Diane Capron;
GRAND-UNCLES: Samuel, John & Neville Huyler, Michael Roach, Pedro Skippings Sr., Wenzil Sands, Rudolph Albury, Stanley McCullough, James Wells, Michael Roach, Henry Poitier, James, Jason & Arthur Huyler;
NIECES: Keziah Humes, Salem Dean, Miquell Gardiner, Lanea Arthur, Jayla Brown;
NEPHEWS: Mason Deleveaux, Shakhai Campbell, Jamaro Humes;
COUSINS: A’Khari Strachan, Reanno Todd, Keanna
Smith, Genesis & Shanton Bastian, Imani Clarke, Liyah
Miller, Jamiyah Saunders, Keyla Higgs, Gilia & Gianna
Moxey, Wynter Green, Honorr Foo, Jameka, Lavennia & Semaj Mason, Ezekiel Rolle, Kvan Johnson, Lakara
Robinson, Marvin Adderley Jr., Noel Roach Jr., Brittany
Smith & Family, Dwayne Smith Jr., Jasmaine, Alexis & Trent Roach, Delgano, Felecity & Felecia Roach, Shekinah Rahming, Neil Taylor, Jaden McKenzie, Calvin Brown, Kwame & Nicolas King, Hykame Knowles, Lovisha Robinson, Leslie, Demetrio, Leonardo & Dot
Charlton, Phashad Arnette, Garfield Brown, Neaveh & Joshua Wallace, Opal Huyler & Family, Melvina
Roberts & Family, Keshon, Kalen & Clednor Jr. Charite, Brandon Hanna, Natasha Huyler, Pastor Christopher
Roberts, Anja Davis & Family, Wayne Jolly Sr. & Family, Thaneileus Longley, Laveretta Henry & Family, Pedro
Skippings Jr. & Family, Syvia & Wesley Morley, Angelica
Higgs & Family, Burton Sands & Family, Wenzina Sands & Family, Opal Roach & Family, Roscoe Sweeting & Family, Anson McKinney & Family, Kara Roach & Family, Ron-x, Eulinda, Excie, Gazlyn Huyler and their families, Matty Martin Tucker & Family, Henrietta, Vernell, Thomasina, Kirk and their families, John Jr. & Andera
Huyler, Patrice Brown and family, Carlene Huyler and family,Lester Bain and family, Adinah White and family, Aaron, Addis and Algernon Huyler and their families, Nioshie Petit-Jean and family, Evette & Linda Hanna and their families, Inga Johnson, Durell Sands;
GOD-PARENTS: Thomasina Rolle, Leandra Albury, Gail Faulkes, Octavius Stuart, Gladstone Thurston Jr., Pastor & First Lady Shannreah & Roselyn Alexis, Kimberley
Dean, George & Georgette McPhee, Ratio Richardson, Sharine Weir, Patricia & Dr. Hubert Minnis;
SPECIAL FRIENDS THAT TOOK CARE OF SERENITY
AT SCHOOL: Lucy Cola, Kayle Elvie, Jeremiah Rolle, Ritchie Sterlin, Tyjanae Major, Shelly Cherestil, Malik Andrews, Dejah Sherman, Daneisha Lewis, Andy Previl;
SPECIAL TEACHERS THAT TOOK SERENITY UNDER THEIR WINGS AND WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR HER. I’M FOREVER GRATEFUL, FOR OUR BABY
HAS GAINED HER WINGS.
Melinda Bullard – Grade 3, Linda Wallace – Grade 4, Janiqua Strachan – Grade 5, Marcia Saunders – Grade 6, Shavonne Newchurch, Ms. Tynes, Mrs. Hansen, Mrs. Cash – Excel Academy - Freeport Bahamas;
OTHER FRIENDS AND RELATIVES: Gambier Village
Community, Palmdale Primary School, Ridgeland
Primary School especially Class of 2023, K-Kids Club & Prefect Body, HYPE Program – National Drug Council, Princess Court Ministry, 6th Street Coconut Grove
Community, Children’s Ward – PMH, Dr. Chase & Dr. Green along with the Nurses of A & E and Trauma Room – PMH, Dr. Jerome Lightbourne, Dr. Chisolm and Team at the Pediatrics Clinic – PMH, Livita Jean-Simon & Family, Lottie Palumbo & Family, Bahamas Immigration Department, Bahamar Security Team especially the Beach Patrol Team, Mr. & Mrs. Mark Gibson, Lynette Oliver & Family, Simmone Dean & Family, Durall Rolle, H.O. Nash Class of 1995 especially Edward Wilson, Alexia Nottage Adderley, David Scavella and their families, Elliston and Louise Knowles, Keca Forbes & Family, Devon Rolle & Family, Jeffrey Grant Sr., Mario Austin, Aurely Deleveaux, Rhea Treco, Ginger and Jade Evans & Family, Peter Dean, Sean Fowler, Pastor Terrance Morrison & Family, Pastor Sterling Moss & Family, Lawrence Lloyd & Family, Santosh Sargeant & Family, Olivia Johnson & Family, Leslie & Aria Wells, Davidra Goodman, Marion Astwood & Family, Min.
MODERATOR | Minister Neno Newbold
PROCESSIONAL | Forever is a long time, that’s how long I’ll love you (Song playing)
INVOCATION | Minister T. Anja Davis
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN | Suffer the children to come unto me.
When mothers of Salem their children brought to Jesus, The stern disciples drove them back and made them depart; But Jesus saw them ere they fled, And sweetly smiled and kindly said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
For I will receive them, and fold them in my bosom, I’ll be a Shepherd to those lambs, oh, drive them not away! For if their hearts to Me they give, They shall with Me in glory live: “Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
And still the kind Savior bids little children welcome, For Jesus’ loving tender heart to children is the same: Though here His voice is no more heard, From heav’n itself He speaks this word, “Suffer little children to come unto Me.”
OLD TESTAMENT READING | PSALMS 121 | Reanno Todd (Cousin)
SOLO | Lenardo Todd (Friend of Family)
REMARKS OF CONDOLENCES (3 MINS) | Julian Butler
Min. Latoya Culmer
Princess Court Ministries
CONGRAGATIONAL HYMN | Jesus loves the little children.
(Chorus)
Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, All are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Jesus calls the children dear, “Come to Me and never fear, For I love the little children of the world; I will take you by the hand, Lead you to the better land, For I love the little children of the world.”
Jesus is the Shepherd true, And He’ll always stand by you, For He loves the little children of the world. He’s a Savior great and strong, And He’ll shield you from the wrong, For He loves the little children of the world.
I am coming, Lord to Thee, And Your soldier I will be, For You love the little children of the world. And Your cross I’ll always bear, And for You I’ll do and dare, For You love the little children of the road.
AS I KNEW HER | A’khari Strachan – Cousin/Best Friend
SOLO | Bertreeka Williams (Friend of Family)
NEW TESTAMENT READING | 1 Corinthians 15: 52 – 57 | Genesis Bastian / Cousin
TRIBUTES | Tristan Jean-Simon (Brother) & Keanna Smith (Cousin) Ridgeland Primary School Sister Baby (Video Presentation)
Mime Dance | Master Xander Lightbourne of Excell Christian Academy, Freeport
OBITUARY | To be read in silence
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN | Through it all
I’ve had many tears and sorrow
I’ve had questions for tomorrow
There’ve been times I didn’t know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave me blessed consolation
That my trials come to only make me strong
(Chorus)
Through it all, Through it all
Oh, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all, Oh, through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon His words.
I’ve been a lot of places
And I’ve seen a lot of faces But there were times when I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours
Yet those precious lonely hours
Jesus let me know that I was His own.
So, I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through For if I’d never had a problem
I’d never know that God could solve them
I’d never know what faith in His word could do
Clarke
PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY | Pastor Roselyn Alexis
RECESSIONAL HYMN | Yes, Jesus loves me
Jesus loves me! This I know. For the Bible tells me so: Little ones to Him belong: They are weak, but He is strong.
(Chorus)
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and love to all who live.
Jesus loves me! This I know. As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, “Let them come to Me.”
Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide, He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.