Celebration of Life for
Born: August 2nd. 1947 Died: July 18th, 2021 Aged: 73 years Service Held At New Providence Community Center Blake Road Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas Sunday, August 1st, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Officiating Pastor Derek Benjamin Directing Grace Funeral Home & Cremation Services 36 Rosetta Street Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
OBITUARY Stuart Howells was born in Aberdare, in the South Wales Valleys, on August 2nd, 1947. He attended Aberdare Boys Grammar School, where he successfully achieved his secondary school certificate. Shortly after, he got a job at the County Council Education Department in Aberdare Town. During this time, in the Education department, he decided that he wanted to become a teacher. He attended Barry College in Wales and went through a year’s placement at Windsor School to achieve his teaching qualifications. Towards the end of his placement, he attended the British Council in London, where he sought out available overseas teaching appointments. It was then that the British Council extended the opportunity to teach in Abaco, the Bahamas, to him. He took the post, relocated to The Abacos, and stayed for three years. After his 3-year tenure, Stuart moved to Nassau. He taught for a few years at T.G. Glover Primary School before taking a full-time position at the College of The Bahamas (now the University of The Bahamas). He remained on staff at the university for 30 years until his retirement. Stuart thrived as a father, friend, and mentor for three and more decades that he lived in The Bahamas. He was a patron of the arts, an avid reader, and a historian. Not only was he an educator in the formal sense, but he was also a teacher of many things. His constant reading kept him knowledgeable, inquisitive, and broad-minded. He was both beloved and respected for his intelligence, quick wit, and passion for learning and educating. Over the years, with just the mention of the name “Mr. Howells,” many of his former students have pointedly remarked that he was their all-time favorite. He never missed an opportunity to share life experiences and lessons with his children and others. He also ensured that they were educated, cultured, and attuned to their Welsh and Bahamian heritage. He traveled home with them over the years, endearing them to Wales and their Welsh family.
On July 18th, 2021, after a brief illness, Stuart passed away at his home. He will be remembered fondly and missed greatly by many. Pre-deceased by his parents, Maldwyn and Harriett Howells; and survived by One (1) brother: John Clive Howells; Two (2) sons: Ceri and Robert Howells; One (1) daughter: Cerys Howells; Two (2) nieces: Deborah and Emma; Eight (8) grandchildren: Dylan, Cyri, Keara, Imari, Peyton, Cayden, Kasidee and Ceri Jr.; Great-grandnieces and great-grandnephew: Ffion, Ella, and Mike; Other relatives and friends including: Anne, Cliff, Fiona and Kirsten Bootle, Clint Sawyer and family, the entire Treasure Cay, Abaco family, Fred and Jackie Cooper, Don Darbeau, Julius Cox and family, Stuart Halbert, Dr. Ian Kelly, Dave Smith of Los Angeles, CA, Mike, Suzanne, Jamal and Makeisha Smith, Roger Kelty, Neil Behagg, Donna and Julie Cassar of Swansea, Wales, John and Lesly of the Uk, Tony Tillet, Andrew Wilkinson, David Smith, Charlene Smith, Diane, Barry, JoJo and the staff at PharmaChoice, Jason, Shanti, numerous persons he has taught, the FNM Association, Brittney Dorsett and Tamila Edgecombe and family.
ORDER OF SERVICE Welcome and Opening Prayer | Pastor Derek Benjamin Congregational Song | Amazing Grace (My chains are gone) First Reading | Romans 8: 35-39 | Cerys Howells (daughter) Tribute | Julius Cox (Friend) Song | It is Well Second reading | Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4 | Ceri Howells (son) Tribute | Robert Howells (Son) Slide Show Presentation Solo | Leah Lowe (Friend of the Family) Pastoral Remarks | Pastor Derek Benjamin Prayer for the Family/Benediction | Pastor Derek Benjamin Recessional Song | How Great Is Our God How Great is Our God The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty Let all the Earth rejoice All the Earth rejoice He wraps himself in light And darkness tries to hide And trembles at His voice Trembles at His voice How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands And time is in His hands Beginning and the end The Godhead Three in One Father Spirit Son The Lion and the Lamb The Lion and the Lamb How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God Name above all names Worthy of our praise My heart will sing How great is our God
Name above all names You are worthy of our praise And my heart will sing How great is our God How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God How great is our God, sing with me How great is our God, and all will see How great, how great is our God
IT IS WELL Grander earth has quaked before Moved by the sound of His voice Seas that are shaken and stirred Can be calmed and broken for my regard Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all it is well Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And it is well with me Far be it from me to not believe Even when my eyes can’t see And this mountain that’s in front of me Will be thrown into the midst of the sea Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all it is well Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You And it is well, it is well
Let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name Let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name Let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name Let go my soul and trust in Him The waves and wind still know His name The waves and wind still know His name It is well, with my soul It is well, with my soul It is well, with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You Through it all, through it all it is well Through it all, through it all My eyes are on You It is well with me
AMAZING GRACE (MY CHAINS ARE GONE) Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I’m found Was blind, but now I see
The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing grace
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing grace
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow The sun forbear to shine But God who called me here below Will be forever mine, will be forever mine You are forever mine
Hey Dad, Didn’t really know what to say so just going to write like we always talked. Today was long trying to get everything sorted out for your memorial is hard and very emotional for me everything around here reminds me of you or reminds me of the memories and many fun times we had. From as long as I can remember you were my best friend we would hang together, party together, travel together I mean everything. I really can’t explain this void and it hurts so badly. I know you’re in a better place because the night before you passed I placed my hands on your head and prayed for you. This comforts me a little but still don’t really understand it too much. God doesn’t make mistakes and I guess Bampy and Mam were ready for you to spend time with them in eternity. It feels like my tears will never end I wish we had one more trip just to laugh and for you to teach me more about art and history and everything that you loved so much. Dad I am forever grateful for the experiences you have given me and my children I know they are going to miss their papi just as much as I miss you. You can never be replaced. You helped shaped the hearts and minds of so many young Bahamians throughout your teaching career and the nation recognizes that and remembers your passion and dedication to the lives of others. But before all of that you were a good father to us through the ups and downs you were always there for me always in the clutch and would never let me down. The morning I found you looked so peaceful like you were sleeping. You told me you were leaving and I told you to not say that but you just didn’t wanted to go alone in the hospital so you came home. Thank you for the memories, thank you for the experiences and most of all thank you for being the best father I could have ever asked for. I love you and will forever cherish your love and compassion and will continue to carry on the Howells legacy. Love your son, Ceri
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The family of Stuart Howells would like to express our deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support shown to us during our time of bereavement. Your prayers, visits, encouraging words and gifts were truly a blessing, and for this we are thankful.
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