It was a beautiful Sunday, February 13th , 1966 in Nassau, Bahamas, the day before the universal lovers day, that Revis and Betty Stubbs welcomed their third child; a baby boy who was full of vigor and eager to start life He was named Keith Brian Stubbs Unbeknownst to Keith, he was born into a rich, spiritual, and culturally close knitted family He was taught the sacredness and value of family, and these lessons would carry him throughout his life’s sojourn. Like many close knit families during that time, the Matriarch of the family Leah Webb, dubbed all of her grandchildren with nicknames that would follow them well into adulthood. Being that Keith was so small in stature, he was nicknamed Vitter Jake.
Though Keith was born in Nassau, Cat Island would be second his second home as he, his siblings, and cousins would spend some of their early years under the watch and care of their grandparents Leah and Alfred “Sunny” Webb, affectionately called Mother (Mudda) and Granddaddy At a very early age he was taught to be industrious. As part of the daily chores, he, his siblings, and cousins spent many days assisting their grandparents in the field and salt pond. Though they were taught to be hard workers, they were taught how to have fun with each other, with music and dancing as the center of many of those fun times. He, his siblings, and cousins always reminisced on the times they would be dancing and singing along with Mudda; under the fig tree as their stage, while Mudda created a vivacious sound with a bucket as a makeshift drum
At the age of four, he returned to Nassau to attend school Keith’s early education started at Mable Walker Primary and C W Sawyer Primary School His junior and senior high school career started at S C McPherson and R M Bailey respectively Keith’s love for music was carried with him at every school he attended He was a part of the school’s choir, and was known for his strong alto vocals It was undeniable that music was his passion. Keith strived to excel and wanted to get started in the workforce early. Before completing high school, he was employed at Paradise Island Hotel and Casino. Upon completion of high school, he continued his employment at the resort. Keith was always willing to learn a new trade and became fond of the gas industry. He was employed by Texaco, Tropigas and Reckley’s Gas.
Life is for the living, death is for the dead. Let life be like music, and death a note unsaid Langston Hughes
These positions would make him an expert fuel truck driver and the go to gas and stove man. Many of his family and friends would always call on him if they needed assistance with gas delivery and stove repairs.
Keith experienced love in life with the blessing of three children, Princess, Keithra, and Iking, whom he loved dearly. As the years passed, that love blossomed even more with the addition of two grandchildren, Kaeleb and Serenity. He adored his grandchildren and would always look forward to spending time with them; and they would be just as excited to visit their Papa, as they affectionately called him.
Throughout Keith’s life, his humanitarian nature and love for family would make him a favorite cousin, uncle, and friend to many. His kind heartedness knew no bounds, and would offer anyone the clothes off his back and the shoes off his feet. His home became a sanctuary and good vibes castle for many of his family members and friends, whom he welcomed at any time of day and night. Most times those visits, whether long or short, would always result in a musical extravaganza consisting of his beloved rake n scrape, reggae and other genres. Keith was very eclectic and even a bit eccentric as he was knowledgeable on a variety of world topics and culture. When he wasn’t making music, he was glued in front of a TV screen indulging himself with a good western or watching the BBC World News, National Geographic, and his most recent favorite Al Jazeera.
Keith was an avid musician
In fact, he was one of the very best keyboardists that The Bahamas had ever seen His love for music was nurtured by his family from a young age as he showed great interest and enthusiasm for it by investing his talents when needed Later on, Keith would gravitate towards the keyboard as his favorite instrument of choice His unbelievable self taught skills would make him a most valuable and sought after keyboardist for some of the nation’s most popular bands Although a keyboardist, Keith was multitalented when it came to instruments Later, he would be drawn to the guitar which he mostly played in his personal time With his love for cultural music, he was always willing to rake the saw and beat the drum Keith’s passion for music lead him to become a member of various local bands, such as, the Black Roots Band, Congos, Vibrations, and Stranger, who would wow the crowds of Waterloo for many years During the early 1990’s, he joined the Fari Troopers The group was a popular Bahamian reggae band, opening up for international artists such as Buju Banton Later, Keith joined the popular Bahamian calypso group called The New Sensation Band He was a prominent member between the years of 1995 2010 This band would take the entire Bahamas by storm with hits that are still very popular today Songs like Teresa (Dey coming by boat), Abaco Tiger, and Woman is Head were a staple at the many family gatherings and backyard parties The last band that Keith would be a member of was the True Liberation Band and they would go on to produce a fun and rhythmic single entitled Let’s Go Sadly, due to the pandemic, his band days came to a halt, but he was always willing and ready to strike up a tune at family gatherings
To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born and a time to die…….Ecclesiastes 3:1 8 In May of 2022, Keith’s health showed signs of decline and he was hospitalized twice This hospitalization would result in a diagnosis that would rapidly deteriorate his health Throughout his sickness, Keith had a warrior’s spirit and kept a positive attitude Some days were hard, but he pushed through with unwavering strength On September 20th Keith’s health took a turn for the worse; and through it all he still showed signs of hope and strength However, God had other plans Keith transitioned on September 21st , sending him home to be with The Lord, his brothers, and a host of family members who would have predeceased him They were probably all eager for Keith to arrive to add another member to the band We are sure that day was a heavenly rake n scrape party like no other We will miss him physically but we are grateful that he left behind a legacy of stories, values, and of course music that will forever live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him
Princess, Keithra, and Iking
Yvette Adderley, Nicole Scott, Dr. Denie Fountain, Crystal Russell, Astrid Algreen, Denise, Delores, Oneika Stubbs, Jeanette (Jean) Rahming
Revis Neil, Duke, Andrew, Dwight, Sean, Eugene, Reno, Corey, Travis Stubbs, Sherwin Armbrister, Neil Gilbert
Robertha, Debbie, Kendra Stubbs
: Troy Adderley, Richard Fountain, Michael Russell, Cliff Algreen
Joann Webb, Sheva Webb, Shirley Pearson, Irene Rolle, Nathalee Bonimy, Dotlene Storr, Sylvia Russell
Cleophas and Levi Webb, Mack Smith, Sidney Moncur
Alkeisha Edgecombe, Alicia Rolle, Natalia Rolle, Danisha, Rudina, Ianette, Shantoll, Shan, Kahtura, Temecia, Donnalee, Latoya, Jade, Antoinette, Lisa, Rhonda, Christina, Sharika, Lasantra, Alicia (Silky), Bria, Raven, Latoya Rolle, Tiffany Lynes, Morgan Ferguson
Quinterro, Diego, Revano, Dominic, Corey, Kyle, Rolly, Romero, Rovante, Rekino, Ian, Tristan, Derron, Bradon
Dennese (Clary) Knowles, Rhonda Smith, Romaine, Claudia, and Jodie Webb, Denazo, Johnny, and Rev. Dr. Ian Webb, Ken and Marvin Webb, Melissa, Christine Green, Shane, Ken, Daryl, Tammy, Anya, Julien, Velma, Grace, Kenton, Tanya, Stanley, Hugo Paige, Alphanette, Sherry, Mandel, Rod, Cozetta, Paul, Georgina, Rose, Vernon, Christa (Boxer), Cloyd, Pearl (Tricia), James, Daria, Sheryl, Ramon, Antonio, Roland, Abdul Armbrister, Dr. Ingrid Bonimy, Medgar, Keisha, and Darvon Bonimy, Annaka, Dawn, Lisa, Crystal, Albert, Anne, Barry Miller, Jackie McPhee, Wendell, Trevor, Sheldon, Jeff, Mark, Haldane, Wilton, Alfred, Janette, Deno, Andrew, Eleanor, Charlene, Beryl, Alma, Netty, Peggy, Lavette, Deborah, Patty, Marsha, Clarice, Madge, Alburn, Anya, Bernadette (Bernie), Brad, Cathy, Joy, Moses, , Patranella, Faye, Angel, Lyndon, Shinelle, Dezelle, Archdeacon Dwight and Rochelle Rolle, Claudia, Denise, Pearl Adderley, Ethlee Gibson, Albertha Hall, Donna Johnson & Family, Armbrister, Webb, Smith, Dean, and Stubbs Families of Arthur’s Town and Orange Creek, Cat Island.
Charles Campbell and Mary Ferguson
OTHER FRIENDS AND FAMILY: George Delancy & Family, Wright Family, Braynen Family, Mr & Mrs Ferguson and Family, Johnson Family & Ashlee Romer, Mr. and Mrs.Romeo Johnson, The Mountain Men of Seven Hills, Seven Hills Ladies Community Group, and the entire Seven Hills Community.
Celebrant: With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our brother KEITH for burial Our brother was washed in Holy Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit Let us, therefore, with confidence, pray to God our Heavenly Father, the Giver of life, that He will raise him to perfection in the company of the saints
Celebrant: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother KEITH. We thank you for giving him to us, his family, and friends, to know and love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord
All: Amen.
Jesus said, I am the Resurrection, and I am the life; he who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die John 11:25-26
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His compassion never fails: every morning they are renewed. Lamentations 3:22 23
Jesus said, Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1
I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 8:38 39
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living Romans 14:8-9
We brought nothing into the world, and we take nothing out. The Lord gives and takes the Lord away: Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Job 1:21
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms Deuteronomy 33:27
Bishop Derick Knowles (Friend)
Through all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ.
O magnify the LORD with me, Exalt his holy name; When in distress to him I called, He to my rescue came
The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Deliv'rance he affords to all Who in his promise trust.
Celebrant: Let us pray:
O make but trial of His love; Experience will decide How blest are they, and only they who in His truth confide.
Fear him, you saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make serving him your sole delight, Your wants shall be his care.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom we adore, Be glory, as it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
Almighty God, we remember before You today Your servant KEITH and we pray that, having opened to him the gates of larger life, You will receive him more and more into Your joyful service, that, with all who have served you in the past, he may share in the eternal victory of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever Amen
..Tanya Pickstock (Cousin)
The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the Lord will save his people and defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn, to give to those who mourn in Zion
At the end of the Old Testament Lesson, the following is said:
Reader: The Word of The Lord All: Thanks be to God.
Led by the CTK ChoraleFor this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to know his love although it can never be fully known and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.
At the end of the New Testament Lesson, the following is said:
Reader: The Word of The Lord
All: Thanks be to God
As pants the hart for cooling streams when heated in the chase, So longs my soul, O God, for thee, And thy refreshing grace.
For thee, my God, the living God my thirsty soul doth pine: O when shall I behold thy face, Thou majesty divine?
Why restless, why cast down, my soul? Hope still, and thou shalt sing The praise of him who is thy God, Thy health’s eternal spring.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom we adore, Be glory, as it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
including members of the bereaved, to stand for the chanting of The Gospel
14:1 6
At the end of the Gospel, the following is said:
Priest: This the Gospel of Christ
All: Praise To Christ Our Lord
Archdeacon Dwight H L RolleCelebrant: Let us with confidence and hope confess the faith into which we were baptized, as we say
All: I Believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting Amen I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting Amen
Garnell Gregory (Cousin)Leader: We have gathered to celebrate the entry of KEITH into life eternal.
All: To affirm with praise and thanksgiving the goodness of the Lord.
Leader: Let us rejoice in God’s presence with us, in death as in life among those who now see God face to face
All: Our lips will shout for joy, for God’s love is over all that God has made. Blessed be God’s glorious name forever!
Leader: We feel the pain of separation, we are conscious of our loss, but we have hope in Jesus Christ
All: We give thanks to God from whom comes all life and death and who surrounds us in both. We have affirmed our faith and rejoice in Christ’s victory over death, which is God’s promise to us.
Leader: Lord, You raised the dead to life:
All: Give our brother KEITH, eternal life.
Leader: Our brother KEITH was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit: Give him fellowship with all Your saints
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: He was nourished with your Body and Blood: Grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom
All: Hear us, Lord.
Leader: Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother KEITH Let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope
All: Amen.
Celebrant: Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our brother KEITH, who was reborn by water and and the Spirit in Holy Baptism Grant that his death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father’s love Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
Celebrant: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness
A period of silence shall be kept.
Celebrant: Let us therefore confess our sins
All: Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we have sinned against You and one another, in thought, word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are sorry and repent of all our sins. For Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may serve You in the newness of life to the glory of Your name. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver You from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord
All: Amen
THE GREETING OF PEACE
Celebrant: The Kingdom of God is justice, peace, and joy, inspired by the Holy Spirit
All: They who thus serve Christ are acceptable to God and approved by others
Celebrant: The peace of the Lord be always with you.
All: And also with you.
Master, speak! Thy servant heareth, Waiting for thy gracious word, Longing for thy voice that cheereth; Master, let it now be heard, I am listening, Lord, for thee; What hast thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master! Let me know it is to me; Speak, that I may follow faster, With a step more firm and free, Where the shepherd leads the flock In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak! Though least and lowest, Let me not unheard depart; Master, speak! For O thou knowest All the yearning of my heart; Knowest all its truest need; Speak, and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak! And make me ready, When thy voice is truly heard, With obedience glad and steady Still follow every word. I am listening, Lord, for thee; Master, speak, O speak to me!
President: Through Your goodness Lord, we have this bread and wine to offer, the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands. They will become our spiritual food.
All: All things come from You, O Lord, and of Your own do we give You Blessed by God for ever Amen
Celebrant: The Lord be with you
All: And also with you.
Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: is right to give God thanks and praise.
Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father almighty, everlasting God: Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who rose victorious from the dead, and comforts us with the blessed hope of eternal life For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of Your Name:
All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of Your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Celebrant: Sovereign Lord and Father, to You be glory and praise for ever. In Your boundless wisdom You brought creation into being; In Your great love You fashioned us in Your image; In Your tender compassion You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour, to share our human nature; In the power of the Holy Spirit, He overcame the power of sin and death and brought Your people to new birth as first fruits of Your new creation
On the night that He was betrayed He took bread, and when He had given thanks to You, He broke it and gave it to His disciples and said: “Take this, and eat it: This is my Body which is given for You, Do this for the remembrance of me ”
And after supper He took the cup of wine: and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me ”
Celebrant: Therefore, Father, according to the command of Your dearly beloved Son:
All: We remember His death. We proclaim His resurrection. We await His coming in glory.
Celebrant: And we offer You, Father, our sacrifice of thanks and praise. Send Your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer As we partake of this holy food of new and unending life, may Your Holy Spirit establish us as a royal priesthood with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Joseph, Blessed John the Baptist, and all your sons and daughters who
share in your eternal inheritance; Through Jesus Christ our Lord With Him and in and through Him by the power of the Holy Spirit, we worship You, Father Almighty, with all who stand before You in earth and heaven, in songs of everlasting praise:
All: Blessing and honour and glory and power be Yours for ever and ever. Amen.
Celebrant: As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray:
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name; Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever. Amen.
Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the body of Christ
All: Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.
Celebrant: God of promise, You have prepared a Banquet for us.
All: Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
All: Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: grant him rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: grant him rest. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world: grant him rest eternal
Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God.
All: Our souls will feast and be satisfied, and we will sing glad songs of praise to him
“Sweet Sacrament Divine”
Sweet sacrament divine, Hid in thine earthly home, Lo, round thy lowly shrine, With suppliant hearts we come; Jesus, to thee our voice we raise In songs of love and heartfelt praise: Sweet sacrament divine, Sweet sacrament divine.
Sweet sacrament of rest, Ark from the ocean’s roar, Within thy shelter blest Soon may we reach the shore; Save us, for still the tempest raves, Save, lest we sink beneath the waves: Sweet sacrament of rest, Sweet sacrament of rest.
Sweet sacrament of peace, Dear home for every heart, Where restless yearnings cease And sorrows all depart; There in thine ear all trustfully We tell our tale of misery: Sweet sacrament of peace, Sweet sacrament of peace.
And now, O Father, mindful of the love That brought us, once for all, on Calvary’s tree, And having with us him that pleads above, We here present, we here spread forth to thee That only offering perfect in thine eyes, The one true, pure, immortal sacrifice.
Look, Father, look on his anointed face, And only look on us as found in him; Look not on our misusings of thy grace, Our prayer so languid, and our faith so dim; For lo! Between our sins and their reward We set the passion of thy Son our Lord.
Sweet sacrament divine, Earth’s light and jubilee, In thy far depths doth shine Thy Godhead’s majesty; Sweet light, so shine on us, we pray, That earthly joys may fade away: Sweet sacrament of divine, Sweet sacrament of divine
An then for those, our dearest and our best, By this prevailing presence we appeal; O fold them closer to thy mercy’s breast, O do thine utmost for their soul’s true weal; From tainting mischief keep them white and clear, And crown thy gifts with strength to persevere.
And so we come; O draw us to thy feet, Most patient Saviour, who canst love us still; And by this food, so awful and so sweet, Deliver us from every touch of ill: In thine own service make us glad and free, And grant us never more to part with thee.
All: Almighty God, we thank you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of your son Jesus Christ and have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow not crying, but the fullness of joy with all your saints, through Jesus Christ our Saviour Amen
Celebrant: Give rest, O Christ to your servant with your saints
All: Where sorrow and pain are no more neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Celebrant: You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me saying “You are dust and to dust shall you return ” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
All: Give rest, O Christ to your servant with your saints. Were sorrow and pain are no more neither sighing, but life everlasting
Celebrant: Lord have mercy
All: Christ have mercy
Celebrant: Lord have mercy
Celebrant: Our Father…
All: … who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil Amen
Celebrant: Let us commend our brother KEITH to the mercy of God our Maker and Redeemer. Deliver Your servant KEITH O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set him free from every bond, that he may rest with all Your Saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: Let us pray: Into Your hands, O merciful Saviour we commend Your servant KEITH. Acknowledge we humbly ask you, a sheep of Your own fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of Your mercy, into the blessed rest of eternal peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light where you live and reign with you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in glory everlasting.
Celebrant: Rest eternal grant to him O Lord.
All: And let light perpetual shine upon him.
Celebrant: May he rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Celebrant: May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
All: Amen.
The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, The darkness falls at thy behest; To thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank thee that thy church unsleeping, While earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping, And rests not now by day or night.
As o’er each continent and island The dawn leads on another day, The voice of prayer is never silent, Nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun that bids us rest is waking Our brethren ‘neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never Like earth’s proud empires, pass away; Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, Till all thy creatures own thy sway.
There will be a happy meeting in Heaven, I know When we see the many loved ones we’ve known here below Gathered on that blessed hilltop wit hearts all aglow That will be a glad reunion day
Chorus: A glad day, a wonderful day, A glad day, a glorious day. There with all the holy angels and loved ones to stay That will be a glad reunion day
There within the holy city we’ll sing and rejoice, Praising Christ the blessed Saviour with heart and with voice, Telling Him how we came to love Him and make Him our choice That will be a glad reunion day.
When we live a million years in that wonderful place, Basking in the love of Jesus, beholding His Face. It will seem but just a moment of praising His grace. That will be a glad reunion day.
Daddy, words could never suffice just how much you meant to me, how much I loved and valued you, and how your life impacted mine in such meaningful and purposeful ways but I am grateful that I was able to tell you. Even if I were to find the exact words to describe them here for this specific purpose, there wouldn’t be sufficient space for me to fill these pages with the sagas, folktales, and one of a kind experiences that were you and that I was blessed to experience with you. You were an honorable man, and a genuine man, so much so that you lovingly stepped in to fill in the gap and raise me as if I were your very own, because in a lot of ways I was, still am and always will be because you never made me feel like I wasn’t. Had it not been for you I wouldn’t have known what it would be like to grow up with a father, and losing a father again, moreso losing you, because you were there for much much longer, hurts in ways I could have never even deemed possible. I could never imagine my childhood without you because you were so instrumental in not only raising an upstanding human being, but an intelligent, witty, passionate, cultured, and critically thinking one too with an eclectic nature, just like you I could still hear you playing and singing Steel Pulse, Burning Spear, Bob Marley, The Beatles, White Lion, Bottles of Love, just to name a few Most people knew you were a Rastaman but only few knew you were a rockstar rastaman with a good ear for music no matter the genre and an arsenal of knowledge to debate any learned scholar with a heart as big as a giant despite your stature
You were truly authentic and ahead of your time and exemplified what it meant to live as humanitarianly, as revolutionary, as freely and as cleverly as an Aquarius should, so much so, you loved to indulge me in all of my chattiness, my learning and reading and you loved to read with me too. You also taught me how to ride my first bicycle, how to play the keyboard, the guitar, and how to compose a song. You even taught me how to ‘cut up strips’ and because of that I know just about every nook, cranny and jook jook corner of Nassau even with my eyes closed. But most importantly, you taught me the hardest yet most beautiful and valuable lessons of my life, that is unconditional love, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and the importance and sanctity of family. You were truly a family man and it was always a joy to see you in your best elements, making music and making memories with family. I wish we had more time to make more memories and music together but I am grateful for the lifetime of memories and music that you left behind Now when I look for the word strength in the dictionary, your name will be right beside it, for you were not only strong, but indomitable And although death may have conquered your body, it will never conquer your spirit because you will forever live on in my heart, my spirit and my memory for as long as I shall have all three You weren’t perfect, but you were one of the realest that ever lived, and because of that I will always put respect on your name
On the day I lost you, I lost a father, a friend and an idol who I looked up to I never knew that being fatherless would make me feel so powerless, aimless and heartless It hurts to think that you are not here anymore I can’t help but to smile with tears in my eyes to think of how we cherished each and every moment of our lives together when you were alive We may have been living apart but somehow it always felt like you were always there You taught me to be strong and never give up right from the time you held me in your arms to the day when you saw me off for my first day in school Death thinks it has taken you away from me but it doesn’t know that it actually brought us closer than ever I miss you Master Tin, until we meet again,
Words can’t explain how I’m feeling right now You left me numb and broken I knew the day would come but I never knew it would be so soon Thank you for bringing me into this world and teaching me life lessons The bond we have is unbreakable but being strong right now is probably the hardest thing to do You taught me how to survive, how to fight and how to make it in this cold world, but like you said, “This too shall pass” Even in death I will forever love you and I will live on your name Your ‘last straw in Abraham basket, your ninny, your name sake,
I thought of you today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake from which I’ll never part. God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.
We had the BEST Uncle whose spirit never grew old. His vibe was second to none, and he had a heart of gold. We cherish all the memories, the laughter, the many times your home became the fun house during our summer vacations. You were more than an Uncle to us. Your were our Friend, our Confidant, our History Teacher, and our Musical Icon. We are happy that we got the opportunity to shower you, our fearless Warrior, with love and respect while you were here with us. Your physical may not be with us anymore, but the memories will forever live on in our hearts.
