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Funeral Service #1: University Church
Sunday, May 02, 2004
On Sunday, May 2, there were two funeral services for Aunt Kitty. The first was at the Northern Caribbean University church in Mandeville, and the second at the Southfield SDA Church in St. Elizabeth. They are shown on two separate web pages (May 2 and May 3) for your convenience, since a single page with all the photos would be very large.
The University was kind enough to provide transportation for the family members who had gathered for the funeral.
So we loaded up the bus and headed off to the University for the first service.
Erlinda and Mom were the first to view Aunt Kitty, dressed in her best, and taking her rest.
Aunt Lydia took her turn.
Then Valerie...
...and Aunt Kitty's "daughters," Iralyn and Myrnelle.
The casket was placed in the rear of the chapel, so everyone could view it as they entered. The NCU Dorado Pathfinders and Master Guides, along with the NCU Church Women's Ministries provided an honor guard.
They also greeted arriving guests with the school colors and the Jamaican flag.
Then at 10:00 a.m. the pallbearers, made up of University Vice Presidents and Deans, brought the casket to the front of the chapel.
The procession included the flag bearers.
In a special tribute from the University, the casket was draped with the institution's colors.
At rest.
Platform participants included (among others) Jennifer Williams, a former student who felt a special bond with Aunt Kitty; Dr. Aston Barnes, former Treasurer of the West Indies Union Conference of SDA; Dr Patrick Allen, President of the West Indies Union; Dr. Noel Fraser, a special friend, and former West Indies Union president, who preached the funeral sermon; Dr Neil Reid, Pastor of the University Church; Dr Herbert Thompson, President of the University; and Pastor Orville Parchment, nephew and Assistant to the President of the General Conference of SDA.
A copy of the funeral bulletin. You can see the complete bulletin in PDF or JPG format by clicking the link in the upper left of this page.
There was good music, first from AYAHWEH, an excellent NCU choir, directed by Darry Davis...
...then by Herbie Fletcher III, who sang "It is Well with My Soul"...
...and Oz Rugless, who sang "These Are They."
University President Dr. Herbert Thompson was among those who paid tribute to Aunt Kitty. Others included Dr Patrick Allen, President of the West Indies Union; Dr. Hermon Douce, Head Elder of the University Church; Dr. Gilbert Allen, Custos Rotulorum of Manchester (and Aunt Kitty's personal physician); Dr Sydney Beaumont, a friend of hers for more than sixty years; and Ms. Vivienne Quarrie, an elder of the University Church.
Dr Noel Fraser delivered a powerful message entitled "Destination Heaven."
And all too soon, it was time for the recessional, led by the platform party and the flag bearers.
The casket was borne out, passing through an honor guard made up of Aunt Kitty's former students, who lined the aisle. As the casket passed each one, they placed their hands over their hearts in a gesture of love and respect.
Family members solemnly filed out.
On the steps of the chapel, the platform party and other dignitaries formed a receiving line...
...for the family and other attendees.
Orville expressed appreciation to Dr. Thompson, the University President, for all the kindness shown to Aunt Kitty and to the family.
He also thanked Dr. Neil Reid for the care shown by the University Church. Unfortunately, I caught Orville in mid-blink.
We paused briefly in the cafeteria, where a meal had been prepared for the family and out-of-town guests...
...and then, with Aunt Kitty safely placed in the vehicle for transportation...
...it was time for the casket to be borne to Southfield, St. Elizabeth, where a service would be held at 3:00 p.m. in her childhood church.
-------------------------
I'll have the Southfield pictures later. They will include the service as well as the interment. Meanwhile, if you've missed anything, visit the archives in the upper left of this page.
The University was kind enough to provide transportation for the family members who had gathered for the funeral.
So we loaded up the bus and headed off to the University for the first service.
Erlinda and Mom were the first to view Aunt Kitty, dressed in her best, and taking her rest.
Aunt Lydia took her turn.
Then Valerie...
...and Aunt Kitty's "daughters," Iralyn and Myrnelle.
The casket was placed in the rear of the chapel, so everyone could view it as they entered. The NCU Dorado Pathfinders and Master Guides, along with the NCU Church Women's Ministries provided an honor guard.
They also greeted arriving guests with the school colors and the Jamaican flag.
Then at 10:00 a.m. the pallbearers, made up of University Vice Presidents and Deans, brought the casket to the front of the chapel.
The procession included the flag bearers.
In a special tribute from the University, the casket was draped with the institution's colors.
At rest.
Platform participants included (among others) Jennifer Williams, a former student who felt a special bond with Aunt Kitty; Dr. Aston Barnes, former Treasurer of the West Indies Union Conference of SDA; Dr Patrick Allen, President of the West Indies Union; Dr. Noel Fraser, a special friend, and former West Indies Union president, who preached the funeral sermon; Dr Neil Reid, Pastor of the University Church; Dr Herbert Thompson, President of the University; and Pastor Orville Parchment, nephew and Assistant to the President of the General Conference of SDA.
A copy of the funeral bulletin. You can see the complete bulletin in PDF or JPG format by clicking the link in the upper left of this page.
There was good music, first from AYAHWEH, an excellent NCU choir, directed by Darry Davis...
...then by Herbie Fletcher III, who sang "It is Well with My Soul"...
...and Oz Rugless, who sang "These Are They."
University President Dr. Herbert Thompson was among those who paid tribute to Aunt Kitty. Others included Dr Patrick Allen, President of the West Indies Union; Dr. Hermon Douce, Head Elder of the University Church; Dr. Gilbert Allen, Custos Rotulorum of Manchester (and Aunt Kitty's personal physician); Dr Sydney Beaumont, a friend of hers for more than sixty years; and Ms. Vivienne Quarrie, an elder of the University Church.
Dr Noel Fraser delivered a powerful message entitled "Destination Heaven."
And all too soon, it was time for the recessional, led by the platform party and the flag bearers.
The casket was borne out, passing through an honor guard made up of Aunt Kitty's former students, who lined the aisle. As the casket passed each one, they placed their hands over their hearts in a gesture of love and respect.
Family members solemnly filed out.
On the steps of the chapel, the platform party and other dignitaries formed a receiving line...
...for the family and other attendees.
Orville expressed appreciation to Dr. Thompson, the University President, for all the kindness shown to Aunt Kitty and to the family.
He also thanked Dr. Neil Reid for the care shown by the University Church. Unfortunately, I caught Orville in mid-blink.
We paused briefly in the cafeteria, where a meal had been prepared for the family and out-of-town guests...
...and then, with Aunt Kitty safely placed in the vehicle for transportation...
...it was time for the casket to be borne to Southfield, St. Elizabeth, where a service would be held at 3:00 p.m. in her childhood church.
-------------------------
I'll have the Southfield pictures later. They will include the service as well as the interment. Meanwhile, if you've missed anything, visit the archives in the upper left of this page.
