On Sunday, October 15th,1950, the earth was blessed with the arrival of a handsome baby boy, who wasthe last offspring of George & Eunice Mabel Bannister (deceased) in thequaint settlement of Victoria Point, Mangrove Cay, Andros. This precious gift was given the name AuthreyCharles Bannister. Authrey received his early education at the Victoria PointSchool, in Mangrove Cay Andros. He was a typical jovial island boy and loved togo swimming, fishing at The Bay, and farming with his older siblings. It was growingup in this environment that spurred his love for gardening and going to thebeach on any random day just to ‘take a dip’, as he would often say. You see,Authrey was the youngest sibling and while for some being the youngest may havemeant not having to do chores or any strenuous work, that was not the case inThe Bannister household. Every member of the Bannister Family had to do house chores,farm and develop a high level of competency in cooking. All-in-all it was thebreeding ground where life’s lesson of ‘being able to fend for yourself’ wastaught in preparation for venturing out into the ‘real world’.
Growing up as a Bannister inMangrove Cay not only meant being a hard worker, but it also meant that youknew that God is the source of your very being. Going to church was a naturalpart of the way of life, and some may say it was a tradition because there wasnot much else to do living in Mangrove Cay! However, when a tradition turnsinto a love that’s a whole other story. Authrey loved God, and those that wereclose enough to him when he spoke could hear it every time he gave advice orthe way he responded in any particular situation. While in Andros, Authrey’sdays were filled with youthful shenanigans and the nights were spent hangingout with his friends, but upon high school graduation he wanted to explorebeyond the shores of Mangrove Cay.
When Authrey arrived inNassau, he quickly sought employment, and began working at BaTelCo (now knownas BTC) as a telegraphist where he travelled to many family of islands untilhis retirement. He worked for many years at BaTelCo and developed great relationshipswith many, some became very dear to him, especially Hilton Bullard, CliffordBain and Albert Bowe.
His disposition of being avery well-groomed, proud and happy young man who always walked around as if hischest was stuck out like a peacock’s lovingly afforded him the nickname“Chest”. But, of course, in true Bahamian fashion the pronunciation of the namewas often spoken “Chess”. Throughout the course of his life, as he positively impactedthose he met, he soon picked up other nicknames such as “Banni”, “Bulla-B”,“ACB”, or simply “Bannister”. He loved playing dominos, playing the piano,cooking, gardening, watching old boxing matches, singing and dancing. Oh how heloved to dance- you would never think that a man with such a humble and meekdemeanor could ‘cut a rug’ with the best of them!
Authrey was a very quietman, and truly lived his life in accordance to Romans 12:18 (he lived peaceablywith all men). He was a man of great resolve, and rarely got upset but evenwhen he was, he did not raise his voice or violate people verbally. Doing so,was simply not his nature!
As he advanced in age andwas well into retirement, he kept busy by gardening and cooking. Often times hewould run errands for one of his children, or take his grandson out to thebeach for a dip. He was well loved and adored by many, especially his childrenand grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parentsGeorge and Eunice Bannister and his siblings Doreen, Gloria, James, Esther,Dewitt, Scotland, Eddie, George, Jeffrey, and William.
He will be dearly missed and his legacy willlive on forever in the hearts of:-
His Children: Sherelle (Stanley) Bernard, Samantha (Dario)Robinson, Calsey Sr. (Melissa), Authrey, Alanzo (Megan), Katisha, Shalesia andSelvyn Bannister.
His Grandchildren: Jayla Sands, Kairos & Khari Robinson, Kaiman,Calsey Jr., Cahlin, Aniya-Joy, Aaliyah, Kai, Noree, Deshawn Bannister, andKatelyn Taylor.
Fondmemories of him will be cherished by:-
Sisters-in-Law: Winnifred (Scotland-deceased), Marguretta (Eddie- deceased), Rena (Dewitt- deceased), Alma, Peseretta,Lucita, Arlene, Julia and Brendalyn.
Brothers-in-Law:Mitchell,Hezekiah, Cedric
Numerous Nieces and Nephews: Apostle Merilee,Bishop Roston, Anthony, Big David, Judy, Lil David, Michael, Ian, Stephanie,Cathy, Sharon, Mario, Ingrid, Mevy, Pedro, Jeffrey, Romeo, Destini, Dwayne, Dianna,Coretta, Eddie Jr., Scott, Sharleeen, Carlene, Deborah, Bernadette, Ishmae,Michael, Jefferelle, Ludell, Kathleen, Julia, Margaret, Terry, Pedro, Patrelle,Ashley, Nadia, Annischka, Arnette, Cynarra, Joanne, Dianne, Betty, Kimberly,Miranda, Dwayne, Ramesh, Shaphelle, Zemesco, Chappelle Jr., Thelma, Zel,Samantha.
Grandnieces and Nephews: Brittany, Decoyle,Cezarrio, Vastacia, Makeva, Robert, Alegra, Alanis, Rashad, Sophia, Stan,Terez, Ray, Bishop Trent, Dr. Raquel, Clint, Necole, Dr. Sheneque.
Other Relatives, LovedOnes and Friends including, but not limited to: BrandhildaWallace-Whitfield & Family, Loretta Taylor & Family, Dorethea Hield& Family, Rev. Dr. Hilton Bullard & Family, Clifford Bain, Albert Bowe,Yvette Jordan, Shantia McBride, Ruthlyn Taylor, Abdul Dames, Freeport ContainerPort, The Court Reporting Unit, Citi Trust, BahaMar, Trinity City of PraiseFamily, Cottonwood Street Family, the Mangrove Cay Family, Staff of Med SurgEast.
