On November12th 1928, in the quant community of Gambier Village, Edward Percyand Curlena Dean welcomed there 4th child, a beautiful baby girlthey named Alsaida Elizabeth. Alsaidawas a very quiet girl, and not one to keep company but she was adored by herpeers as she had a gracefulness about herself.
Alsaida came from humble beginnings, her daily activitiesincluded school and chores around the house. She often shared memories of thetimes at the pond where the women and their daughters went to wash theirclothes and her weekly trips walking with her mother from Gambier downtown to themarket to sell the fruits and vegetables grown on the family farm.
Alsaida continued to blossom into a fine woman, and shecaught the eye of an Andros born gentleman named Elijah Hanna. The two married andfrom this union they parent 5 children, 1 daughter and 4 sons.
Industrious woman, independent, and compassionate are some adjectivesto describe Alsaida. She was employed as a domestic worker and later anentrepreneur owning and operating her own business, a Convenient store inGambier Village. This store was not only her place of business, but it was alsoan opportunity for her to share her faith with others and help the lessfortunate.
Mammy, as she was affectionately called by her children andgrandchildren, whom she loved dearly. Mammy was known for her homemade breadand hot tea. When her grandkids slept over, she made a special treat for them, “spinwabby” (fried bread) to go with their tea. Every Christmas mammy would buynew linoleum for her floors. She would get up early to prepare benne, peanut,and coconut cake, which she stacked in separate heaps for all her children andgrandchildren, but the day wouldn’t be complete until all the grandchildren gottheir present that was under the hand-chopped, cedar Christmas tree, cut fromthe pine forest nearby.
Mammy loved her Lord; She attributed all that she had to Him.Before she lost her eyesight, she could be found in her shop sitting behind thecounter with magnifying glass in one hand and Bible in the other, reading allday long. She was a preacher of the word, and a prayer warrior. She gained thetitle “the running prophet” rightfully fitting as she did just that, ranthrough the streets of Gambier preaching and prophesying. Her favorite phraseand scripture was “The Lord promised never to leave neither forsake me”Mammy held firmly to her hope and confidence of this promise. Despite her age, mammynever forgot her family nor her Lord.
On December 26th 2022 after a Christmas day withfamily and food, mammy was admitted to PMH for the first time in all of her 94years. From then her health began to deteriorate. She was hospitalized again inFebruary of 2023. Each time mammy would seem to have overcome the odds and madeit back home. On October 28th, 2023 mammy was discovered by herdaughter Olive unresponsive, the ambulance was called and mammy was once againadmitted to hospital. This time mammy would not come back to her daughter’shouse in Pinewood Gardens, instead after 11 days in the hospital, on November 7th, mammy said her farewell to this world and embraced the higher call with herLord Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memories are her 6children: Gladstone & RuthThurston, Edward, Prince & Antoinette, Luther, and her only daughter OliveHanna.
Oneadopted daughter: Debbie Poitier
Onesister. Marinas Dean
35Grandchildren: Gladstone Jr, Demond & Trevon ,Delano & Denise, Gastineau & Crystal, Octavier Thurston, Latoya &Wayne Culmer, Yvette Fernander. Olin, Gerrad, Jamal, Davincio, Asharan, Kecia,Kostico & Indira Hanna, Princia, Lutheria, Destiny, Eric Hanna; TavaresKnowles, Chrystal Sands, Kisstonya & Oscar Greene; Najana Pinder, Shaniqua& Leslie Seymour, Leandre, Kahdeja Culmer, Terrell Gibson.
Greatgrand Children: Katasio Bridgewater, Zarnardee, TazhariaFernander, Jade, Demonia, Demia, Maddison, Mercedes, Tanaz, Carliesha, Devano,Delano Jr., Deniro, Sapphire, Israel, Denario Thurston, Tyiece Bennett, AnaiyaCooper, Rykiesh, Rykia, Agajuan, IzaiahCulmer, Lashontae, Lashae Gray, Malik, Rayanique, Darren, Leslie, LesliaSeymour, Kahmari, Ciara, Jerret, Janea, Mathaniah Hanna, Malik Fawkes, GabriaelMcPhee, Kylea, Kamden, Kairo Greene, Brandon, Bryan Rolle, Kyla, KeyshawnMunroe, Peyton Patton Rashawn, Mataio,Leantae, Brandae, Malaysia Gibson, Cordaisha Rahming, Rashano, Prince Jr. &Princia Emmanuel.
GreatGreat grand: Tanaz Jr. Kentrell Johnson, Zhamai,Zhaurie and Mattéo Culmer, Bella Marie Rolle.
Niecesand Nephews: Willamae & Keith Dean; Janus,Edward, Janet, Wendy, Mary, Sherry, Simon Dean; Robert Saunders, Sandra Saunders, Leona Frazier, Alexander, GeraldineWilliams, Neville & Rosemary Seymour, Dennis and Hayward Poitier; FrancinaWhite, Cynthia, Della, Lilly and Naomi Dean of West Palm Beach Florida; IvyPatrick of Connecticut, Betty Rosemary Williams, Alberta Berryman of SussexEngland
Numerousother family and Friends including: Rose Green and Family; Olivia& Albert Fernander, Sophia & Antonio Mackey, Nicole & Dario Smith,Georgette & George McPhee, Kareem, Levi Paul, Vivette Moss, AndrewThurston, Elroy Saunders, Neressa, Nevron, Lana & Nevette Seymour, Min.Valencia Huyler, Holly & Peter Rolle, Adrian & Olgin, Lakiesha, and GillianThurston, Min. Valencia & Bishop Julian Johnson , Pastor Joan Samson,Kirkwood, Theresa, Mulvese, Sonia Breynan, Nicole Rolle, John, Sheryl Duncombe;Astrid Algreen, Oneika, Reno, Corey, Stubbs, Nathaniel, Miriam and RickyHopkins and Taj Clear; Anthony, Quetell, Tiffany & Jeremy Clarke,Anthoniece Seymour, Deno Delancy, Keisha, Renaldo, Shannon, & Edward Jr.Dean; Robert, Javon, Devante, Dana, Judy Cash, Rodger Miller, EstherletaMackey, Ann, Nurse Valencia Rolle, AnnRose, Leonara Poitier, JenifierCunningham of Fort Lauderdale Florida, Kathleen and Hyliah Johnson, PhernSands, Denise Bethel & Family, Marina Fernander, Agnes Pinder, RuthmaePoitier, Garthwell Johnson, Cynthia, Sammy, Norma, Erica Johnson, RichardDelancy; the St. Peter’s Native Baptist Church, Church of God of Prophecy,Gambier; The community of Gambier, and a host of other Relatives and friends.
