A TIME TO BE BORN
On 30th April 1953 a third child and seconddaughter were born to Franklyn and Drucilla Higgs of Matthew Town, Inagua. Theynamed her BEATRICE VICTORIA.
A TIME TO LIVE
Beatrice attended the Inagua Public School and uponcompleting high school she moved to Grand Bahama and stayed with her oldestsister Isabelle. While in Grand Bahamashe was employed at Princess Towers, Holiday Inn and British Fidelity.
In 1999 Beatrice family relocated to New Providence. She was employed at British Fidelity. She worked there for two years beforebecoming an entrepreneur. In 2001 she opened her stall at the Water Tower strawmarket, Fort Fincastle with one table selling key chains, t-shirts and shotglasses. This bloomed into a full stallwhere she used her creativity and sold her uniquely designed plates and bottlesof sand with her original poetry handwritten on them. Beatrice was a poet andwould share her gift through the unique products that she sold in her booth.
Beatrice was taught the ways of the Lord from an earlyage. Once she returned to NewProvidence, she worshipped at Hosanna Baptist Church, where she became amember. She was so proud whenever her boys Jamaal and Jasheed along with theircousins would dance during the service. After Covid she started frequently visited Christ Church Cathedral,until the time of death.
A TIME TO LOVE
In 1987 while in Grand Bahama Bea caught the eye of JamesBodie. They courted for almost ten years, but James was determined that hewould make Beatrice his wife. EveryWednesday he would hop the flight and go to Freeport to spend the day withBeatrice. On 26th December1996 they were joined in Holy matrimony.
A TIME FOR FAMILY
Beatrice loved her family; she was so proud of her sons. Shebelieved that Jaamal was the best salesman, bartender and dancer in the world,and she believed that Jasheed was the best Police officer in the world. Therewas not one family function or family reunion or any family gathering that shewas absent from. She believed in family always supporting each other. She lovedmusic and she loved to dance.
A TIME TO FADE TO ETERNITY
Sometime in October 2023 Beatrice discovered a lump in herleft breast, she immediately went to the doctor where a biopsy was done. A fewweeks later she received the results from the biopsy that it wasn’t cancer. Inlate March 2024 she complained about the lump starting to hurt, she again wentto the doctor where another biopsy and 3D scan was taken. On May 11th,2024, she got the results that she had stage 3 breast cancer and later theresults from the biopsy revealed the same results. She immediately made up hermind to fight with the support of her family. On May 26th, 2024 Bea went to PMH seeking medical attention.She was admitted to hospital and spent 10 days there. On June 18th, 2024, she visitedher oncologist and got a good report of improvement. In the early hours on June 19th,Bea had to be rushed to the hospital, but it would be the final time. At 1:15 am on June 20th Bea laid down her war tools and transitioned from earthto eternity.
Cherished memories will live forever in the hearts of:
Husband: James Bodie
3 sons: Jermaine Daley, Jamaal (Sasha) Murray,Jasheed Strachan Police Detective Constable #4251
Brothers: Franklyn (Lucille), Robert (Delia),Stafford and Pastor Cassell Higgs JP (Gil).
Sisters: Isula Higgs -Toote (Stanley) , Zelizabeth Duclona(Terry Lawrence), Darlene Higgs-Hollis
Mother in law: Maybell Bodie
Sisters in law: Jennifer Clarke, Renea, Kaylesa andValencia Bodie
Brothers in law: Vernon Clarke and William Bodie Jr.
Grandchildren: Jamya, Faith, Samaaj Murray, JasheedStrachan Jr, Jeremy, Judah, Jaylene, Jeremia, and Jordyn Daley, Kaycie Arnett,Leshae Cash, and Ramiah Steir
Aunt: Olive Archer of Matthew Town, Inagua
Nieces: Jonquil Louis, Claudia, Nicolette, Michelle,Ashley, Jema, Makia, Staffordnique, Vanessa, and Andrea Higgs, MaKel Bain,Lannell Burrows, Jovanna (Culbert Jr.) Toote-Evans, Stanleaah Toote, Terykahand Tierra Hollis, Tecia, Sandra, Suze, Jessica Duncombe, Mariarl Knowles,Eulinda Huyler
Nephews: James Smith (Lillian), Levaughn, Cassell(Latoya), Valdino (Petergae), Garrick, Stafford Jr. Shanley (Deidre), Shayne (Edrica)and Renaldo (Vandia) Toote, Trey Hollis, Mandel (Reshinda) Miller, DoshynkoSullivan, Lavaskio Higgs Police Constable 4638
Many Grandnieces including: Jadyne Toote, LaniquitaLouis, Synovia Bien-aime, Harmony Clarke, Patience Duncombe, Valdia, Lavanna,Meleah, Beverly and Malika Higgs, Jamice Moxey, Jalia Smith, Xanaje Bain,Xanaya Coakley, Balicia, Tianna, Luciah, Avery Rolle, Arianna, Siera Toote,Nyiah and Gabriel Miller, Lanikita Louis, Laquel and Ta-Leah
Many Grandnephews including: Jhadeem, Shaquille andJames Smith Jr., Xavion and Xyon Bain, Xamel Knowles, Israel Carey, AubreyMullings, Levaughn Jr, Xavier, Lavano , Valdino Jr, Valdez, Mahdie and Vaden Higgs,Langston, Landon, Shayne Jr, Stanley II, Ethan Toote, Kinaz Rolle, David Bodie,Romeo Archer. Jervenio and Reign Cartwright
Other Relatives and Friends: Andrew & Audrey Flowers, Evelyn Darville, GeorginaHiggs, Manfred & Idamae Brown and family, Ruth & Naomi Simmons,Anquisia Lynne Carthen of Edmond Oklahoma, USA, Christian Strachan, StevenPlakaris, Ashley Dean, Aruga Wright,Charles Moss Jr., Yvonne Duncombe, Latoya Martin, Tanya Fernanda, Rhonda Hall,Lenora Neely, Carla Williams, Rowena Johnson,, Francis Symonette, Bertha,Phillipa and The Fort Fincastle straw market family, Philip and MiriamArmbrister and family, Hilith, Martha and Roberts Higgs and family, MavisMoore, Linville ‘Lenny” Williams and numerous family Providenciales and NorthCacios, Turks Island. Christine Archer-Prosper and numerous friends and familyin Grand Bahama. Pastor Dolly King, Ruth Lightbourne and the members of HosannaBaptist Church, Dr. Valentine Grimes, Dr. Olu Tinabu and a host of otherrelatives and friend too numerous to mention.
