The settlement of Brown’s on Crooked Island in The Bahamas rejoicedon August 27th, 1924 when the late Daniel and Delia Ferguson gavebirth to the third child of their nine children. This child was a beautifulbaby girl and they named her Aileen Dorothy. She became known to all as Dotleystemming from the name Dorothy which means “Gift of God”and it foretold of the blessing that this special child would be to everyone shemet.
At the age of 7 years old, Dot, as she was also affectionatelycalled, began attending the All Age School in True Blue, Crooked Island. At 12years old, Dot left Crooked Island and moved to Long Island, Bahamas to livewith her aunt, Maggie Ferguson, who had recently married Herman Dean. The Deanfamily adopted Dot and she continued her education on Long Island until she was14 years old which was the typical school-leaving age for children at thattime. Dot’s talents were evident to the local educators and she was asked to bea School Monitor. However, Dot became a caregiver for the Dean family on LongIsland, and for many years she selflessly cared for that family’s fivechildren: Eloise, Irene, Norwood, Lula and Anna.
When the Dean family moved to the United States of America in 1955,Dot relocated to New Providence where she resided with her biological parents:the late Daniel and Delia Ferguson. Dotcontinued to live with them until her heart was won by the tall and handsome JabanBastian. These two love-birds werejoined in Holy Matrimony by the late Rev. Talmodge Sands at Zion BaptistChurch, East & Shirley Streets on July 24th, 1962. Dot and Jaban enjoyed forty eight (48) yearsof marital bliss. Dot often spoke of how there were no major problems duringtheir marriage which lasted almost half of a century. On December 252010, the Lord called Jaban Bastian home and he quietly obeyed on thatChristmas Day.
Dot refused to be limited by life’s circumstances. Instead, shechose to make the joy of the Lord her strength. This enabled Dot to live a longand very active life. She was gainfully employed in various places includingthe British Colonial Hilton, The Elbow Room Restaurant and several privatehomes. Dot was always a bundle of joy while working as a Housekeeper andCaregiver for numerous children and elderly persons. However, her greatestdelight was undeniably serving The Lord and building His Kingdom. For decades,Dot was a regular visitor at local hospitals and other medical facilities whereshe fervently prayed for the patients, nurses, doctors and anyone else whorequested prayers.
Although Dot was short in stature, she was a giant in the spiritwith unshakable faith. From 1979 to 2010, Dot served as a zealous prayerwarrior at the Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital. In addition toher Hospital Ministry, Dot was also responsible for conducting the Wednesday afternoonPrayer Meetings at the Blue Hill Road Church of God of Prophecy and faithfullyattended prayer meetings at Carmichael Road Church of God of Prophecy everyTuesday. Dot was such a dependable steward of The Lord’s work that, fornumerous years, she was entrusted with the key for Blue Hill church buildingeven though she was not a member of that local congregation. Dot often toldabout a time when a would-be robber came into the Blue Hill Road Church of Godof Prophecy during prayer time. Although Dot was the only person in thebuilding, through her prayers and God’s grace, the would-be robber soon leftthe building without harming her or damaging the church’s property.
Dot was a wise woman who was known to many for having anencouraging personality, and her heartwarming smile that could win over anyone.By her words and deeds, Dot helped many people accept Jesus Christ as theirSavior. Some of those persons eventually became Pastors and leaders in theChurch of God of Prophecy as well as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Dot was adevoted member of the East Street Church of God of Prophecy. There, she served invarious roles including Sunday School Teacher, Prayer Band Leader, and asoprano in the East Street Church of God of Prophecy Sanctuary Choir. Dot washonored numerous times by the East Street Church of God of Prophecy, the BlueHill Road Church of God of Prophecy, other local Christian organizations, aswell as her beloved country. On October 1st 2015, Dot was honored bythe Department of Social Services Urban Renewal Unit.
Dot’s trust in The Lord was incredibly strong. She fearlessly livedalone for several years after the passing of her husband knowing that AlmightyGod was her Keeper and Sustainer. At 97 years old, Dot died peacefully on themorning of Thursday, July 7, 2022. As Psalms 116:15 says “Precious in the sight of the Lord isthe death of his saints.”
Sharing in the life of Aileen DorothyBastian: Sister: Beatrice Henfield Brothers: Gladstone (Willie) and HiltonAdmiral Ferguson; In Laws: Ena,Sheila, Annamae and Hilda Ferguson, Barbara Bastian, Wilfed Beneby;Numerous Nieces & Nephews including: Bishop John W. Ferguson, Jerry BastianGodchildren: Norma Hill, SharonBeneby, Gayle Evans Adopted Children:Bishop John W. Ferguson, Jerry & Roseann Bastian, Rowena Moncur, SoniaWilliamson, Bishop Norwood Dean; Caretakers: SherriaJane Miller and the lateValderine Bastian. Other relativesand friends: Loise Pratt & Family of MiamiFlorida, Bishop Samuel & AnnaThompson of Miami Florida, Sybil Toote & Family, Bishop Norward Dean &Family, the Descendants of Thelate Bishop Alvin S Moss, Bishop Herman & Magdalene Dean, Bishop Nathaniel& Victoria Beneby, Gladys Pratt, Neville & Henrietta Hart, Randolph& Noralene Pratt of Battle Creek, Michigan, Robert (Bob) & Hattie Johnson,Edwin & Delmeta Pratt, Alberta Pratt, Emerald Hanna, IdellaMcPhee; Bishop Dr. Franklin & Minister RovenaFerguson, Bishop Hulan & Valerie Hanna, Bishop Brice & Advira Thompson,Bishop Elgarnet & Jacqueline Rahming, Bishop Woodley & Vernique Thompson& Family, Bishop Kendal Simmons,Felton & Eldora Beneby & Family, Marina Dorothy Lockhart Smith, Pastor Arlington & Karen Rahming, Chris& Claudette Ching, Michelle & Renee Kelly, Pastor Paulette Johnson,Beverly Rolle, The Ferguson, Bastian, Evans, Brown and Kelly Families,Christian Discipleship Ministries International, St Barnabas Senior CitizensUrban Renewal, West End Ave Family, Entire family of the Church of God ofProphecy, East Street & Blue Hill Road and the Bahamas Brass Band.
