Life and Death holds mysteriesbut one thing for sure Dad, we loved you then, we love you even now and willlove you forever more.
This is a faithful saying: For ifwe died in Him, we shall also live with Him, if we endure, we shall also reignwith Him. 2 Timothy 2:11-12(a)
Hartman Livingstone wasintroduced to the world on August 27, 1931, to William and Charlotte Rolle inthe quaint settlement of Curtis, Exuma. He was known as the baby boy, the last son born into the family of 11/12. Children.
HisEarly Years and Education
Our Dad grew in stature andmaturity and at the appropriate time, was enrolled in the Rolleville All-AgeSchool where he received his formal education. It was said of some family members that from an early age they saw thecall of God on his life as he would preach to the trees in the field/garden.
HisSpiritual Training
Our Dad loved the word of God. Hestudied it diligently, meditated on it daily and more importantly, he livedwhat he preached. He never attended Seminary, but I could find none moreastute. He is a graduate of the Bible Training Institute. His Ministerial training includes completionof courses, ‘Called to Teach’ and ‘The Body of Christ’ Additionally, hepossesses a certificate from the Ministerial Development Program
His Employment
A diligent and industrious youngman, he left the island of Exuma at the age of eighteen (18) to seek gainfulemployment in New Providence. Afterworking along with his eldest brother on the Eastern Road for a period, he wasemployed at Baxter’s Furniture Workshop at Orange Hill in Western NewProvidence. Eventually in 1952, hejoined the Public Service as a crane operator at the Port Authority where heremained until his retirement in 1983; providing this entity with thirty-one(31) years of impeccable service.
His Spiritual Life
Reared in a God-fearing homeprovided our dad the awesome opportunity of becoming acquainted with the omnipotent,omniscient, omnipresent God and because his parents were faithful, Baptists, church attendance wasmandatory. Religiously, he attended theMt. Sanai Union Baptist Church in the neighboring settlement of Stuart Manor,Exuma. Upon migration to New Providence,the same sacred practice continued at the Salem Union Baptist Church, TaylorStreet.
His Conversion
Casually on one Sunday eveningour Dad was routinely on his way, with relatives and friends to the cinema towatch a movie. Passing a building on DogFlea Alley and Lewis Street, they heard the word of God being preached byEvangelist Milton Johnson.
This message captured hisattention and the words being spoken resonated with him as he continued towardsthe movie theatre. The words resounded repeatedlyin his ear. Unable to dismiss the powerof the word, rather than purchasing a ticket, he returned to the building inwhich the service was being held.
Conviction had now takenroot. God was speaking to hisheart. The usual ritual of attending amovie on Sunday evenings, turned into frequent attendance at the East StreetTabernacle where he basked in theworship experience as it progressed.
On November 4, 1951, accompaniedby one of his nephews, our dad sat in the balcony of the East Street Tabernacleas Bishop Hermis A. Ferguson delivered a powerful message. A deeper conviction took a hold on his life.He felt a deep desire to call on the name of the Lord but resisted. As a consequence, throughout the ensuingweek, he became overly restless, and wrestle with peace of mind.
Back in church the followingSunday, he listened attentively as the late Bishop Alvin S. Moss delivered theword with power and fervor. Our Dad,this time responded to the altar call and gladly received Jesus as Lord of hislife. During that same week, he wassanctified and a few days later, filled with the Holy Ghost while at home inthe wee hours of the morning. Theneighbors were awakened by the joyful sound as the Holy Spirit manifestedhimself with the speaking in tongues. Following a revival, he became a member of the church and was baptized(in water) during the Convention of March 1952.
His Union
In June 1953 while attending theChurch’s District Convention in Exuma, he met a beautiful young lady, ThelmaCorrine Ferguson. Two years later, onDecember 21, 1955, they were joined in holy matrimony. This union was blessed with eight (8) children– five sons and three daughters: Patrinella, Everette, Glenroy, Jennifer, Jeffrey,Bernadette, Hartman Jr. and Dwayne.
On June 8th, 1992, ourDad lost his life’s partner of thirty-seven years who transitioned from earthto glory. This was an incomprehensiblysad period in or Dad’s life. However,the Lord blessed him one more time with a help meet. On January 29, 1994, he married Cynthia PalmaCurtis and from that union gained three additional sons; Charles, Randolph andBenson and one daughter Damaris.
His Ministry
A clarion call into Ministry cameduring the Watch Night service of December 1956. He willingly obeyed the call and wascommissioned by the church to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in June1959. This same year, he received hisEvangelist license and embarked on an effective, fruitful, and productiveministry. He was ordained as a Bishop inthe Church of God of Prophecy in 19xx?
Bishop Hartman L. Rolle hasserved His God and the church “with distinction” over the years both locallyand nationally.
Locally, in the East Streetchurch he served as Sunday School Teacher and Band Leader.
Nationally he served as NationalEvangelist, Director of Evangelism (1969 – 1971) and Member, Ministerial ReviewBoard (1991 – 1995)
Pastor, Augusta Street NewProvidence (1963 – 1967)
Pastor, Baillou Hill Road, NewProvidence (1973 – 1987)
Pastor, Shirley Street, NewProvidence (1987 – 1993)
Pastor, Farmers Hill, Exuma (1995– 2007)
District Overseer, New Providence(1967 – 1969)
District Overseer, Inagua (1983 –1995)
District Overseer, Exuma (1995 –2007)
It must be noted here that afterbeing appointed as Pastor of Augusta Street Church, his only means oftransportation, a bicycle was stolen. Hewas forced to walk to and from church from Coconut Grove where he lived. This meant that on a Sunday alone he made atleast six trips back and forth to attend early morning prayer meeting, morningworship service, afternoon Sunday School and evening worship service. He never missed a service (unless he wasill). He attended every Christmas practice and Choir rehearsal. He workedwillingly and never complained. Rather,he continued in the service of the Lord and did so with gladness.
Additionally, I applaud our dad’scommitment and dedication to the work of the church. During our formative years, he would leavehome early in the morning for work at the Port Authority and at the end of theworkday, showered (at work) changed into church clothes and headed tochurch. We his children saw him only onthe weekends. When he left each morning, we were asleep and when he returnedafter church we were asleep. Withoutcontradiction, our dad sacrificed his life for the work of the church.
When asked about his ministry thereply was, “it has all been exciting to me” He was a man who walked in hiscalling as Sunday School Teacher, Evangelist, Pastor, District Overseer andBishop. At one time he preached at arevival at the Earnest Street church for three (3) weeks; many souls weresaved. When he was the Pastor at BlueHill Road Church, the youth department was extremely small They started to prayand God sent a revival. There were no advertisements, yet persons attended fromfar and near. At the end of the revival,twenty-five persons accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and eighteenbecame members of the church.
Following his retirement from activeministry, he was honored on several occasions:
1) The Church of God of Prophecy, ExumaDistrict in a Testimonial Banquet, At The Four Seasons Resort Emerald Bay,Great Exuma, December 2006
2) The National Family Life Ministry during theNational Heroes Day, October 2017 and
3) One of his protégé’s, BishopSterling Moss, April 2019.
There are few who were sodedicated to the work of the Lord. Fewwho have had the experiences of our Dad, Bishop Hartman L. Rolle. He had a deep sense of reverence for God andfearlessly defended truth and righteousness. He walked worthy of the vocation to which he was called. He was truly an ambassador for Christ. As a shepherd his favorite saying was “Followme as I follow Christ”. Dad hid the wordof God in his heart, and this was evidenced that whenever he spoke, he had theability to cite the book, chapter and verse, quoting the scriptures withaccuracy. After seventy years offaithful service to God, he joined inwith the apostle Paul when he stated in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a goodfight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there islaid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judgeshall give me on that day and not to me only but unto all them that love hisappearing”
So Daddy, your presence we willmiss, your memory we will treasure forever. You have left a great legacy. Loving you always.
He was predeceased by his wives,Thelma Corrine & Cynthia Palma, his second son Eddison Glenroy and all ofhis siblings.
Left to cherish his memories and rich legacy are:
Sons: Everette (Euricka), Jeffrey (Yvonne), Hartman Jr. &Dwayne Rolle;
Daughters: Patrinella Rolle, Jennifer Rolle-Cox (Arlington Sr.)& Bernadette Rolle;
Grand Sons: Muhquezzen Nixon, Adriel Rolle, Arlington Jr. &Arlton Cox (Tyra), Thelmon Rolle (April), Samuel & McKiah Woodside.
Grand Daughters: Dr. Menarvia Nixon-Gaddis (Justin); LacretiaJohnson (Kristen), LaTura & Lathel Rolle; Arliah Cox; Vineesia Grant;
Great Grand Sons: Justin Gaddis; Zayne Johnson
Great Grand Daughters: Madison Gaddis; Desha Mckinney, Zyana &Zaryelle Johnson; Reneesia & Alyssa McQueen; Aria Rolle
Step Sons & Daughter: Charles, Pastor Randolph, Benson &Damaris Curtis
Step Grand Children: Charzia, Krizia, Charlos; Lavelle, La’Shanne,Randolph Jr.; Breah, Canaan & Camyra Curtis
Step Great Grand Children: Kiley Johnson & Zhyon Thurston.
Brothers-in-Law: Pastor Wesley Ferguson, Bishop Dr. FranklynFerguson; Deacon Ivan (Sally) Ferguson, Lionel (Christina) Ferguson, Edward(Katurah) Ferguson, Kendal (Marcella) Ferguson & Lincoln Ferguson; PastorEllison (Leila) Greenslade & Alvin (Pandora) Greenslade
Sisters-in-Law: Veronica Ferguson, Carmen Hepburn, ShirleyArmbrister, Queen Ferguson, Dr. Rovena Ferguson, Izona Rolle; KathleenFerguson, Rev. Dr. Edris (Ernest) Bpwe, Judy (John) Deveaux, Betty Greenslade,Maud Ferguson & Rev. Gloria Ferguson
Aunt: Halcie Hanna
Nieces & Nephews: KaylindaKnowles, Daphne Ferguson; Shaureen Hall, Dr. Thalia Micklewhite, Steve, Garren,Vanru & Dr. Dion Hepburn; Nurse Bridgette, Trevor & CleopatraArmbrister, Clelia Minnis; Janis, Shereeza, MacDonald, Jason & BentonGibson, Erica McKinney; Ingrid Ferguson, Debra Pinder, Sheena Albury, Gillian,Perry, Carlo & Tavaren Ferguson; Perry, Andy, Daydawn, Lavonda &Westralyn Ferguson; Jacqueline Smith, Wallace, Carlton, , Dave & JavonTaylor, Alexandria Taylor-Roker; Dr. Romeika Ferguson-Adderley, Franson,Ferreno, Dr. Rodeina & Pastor Kendrick Ferguson; Marion, Timothy, Neville,Rev Franklyn McKenzie, Lester, Leroy Jr., Moses, Ernest, Perry, Tyrone,Princess, Yvonne, Nadine, Robert, Rachel, Mildred, Dorethea, Daniel, Lulamae,Walter, Jackie, Dotlyn, Solomon, Patrick, Terry, Celcier, Shantell, Dion;Sybil, Eulease, Drucilla, Sandra, Rosalee, Marsha, Carlton, Cornelius Jr.,Otis, Randy, Terrance, Ori, Stella, Nathan, Euthlee, Rochelle, Allen Jr.,Freda, Ermalee, Rebecca, Nora, Wesley,Advira, Enamae, Idamae, Sylvia, Priscilla, Willard, Alfred Jr., Duke, Bryon,Philmore, Sallymae, Geroldine, Millicent, Annette, Zenola.
Other Relatives and Friends: NursePatrica Bethel, Michael & Eulease Munroe & Family, The Maycock Family,Family of the Late Eurice Ferguson, Denver Dames & Family, MinisterNathalie Beatrice Ferguson & Family, Bishop Christopher & EmmazellFerguson & Family, Pastor Reckley & Michelle Armbrister, Church of Godof Prophecy Family, Steventon Exuma; Cedric & Jenniemae Smith & Family,Zelma Nixon & Family, Elizabeth Curtis & Family, Pastor Inah Gray &The Church of God of Prophecy Family, Farmers Hill, Exuma, Pastor James Rolle& The Church of God of Prophecy Family, The Forest, Exuma; Ms. NolaAdderley & Family, Pastor Timothy & Minister Deanne Johnson & TheChurch of God of Prophecy Family, Baillou Hill Road, Bishop Sterling &Barbara Moss & Family, Bishop Hulan Hanna & Family, Pastor John WesleyFerguson & Family, Pastor Dale Moss & The Church of God of Prophecy,Life Transformation Centre Family, Deacon Herman McClain & Family, BishopAlbert Ferguson & Family, Minister Paulette Johnson, Minerva Edwards, ElvaNairn & Family, Dr. Anita Brown-Dean, Linda Munroe & Family, JacquelineClarke & Family, The Prayer Group, COGOP, Baillou Hill Road, BishopCleophas Capron & Family, Esther Simmons & Family, Melvern Davis &Family, Eulamae Johnson & Family, Min. Alda Williams, CRT Enterprises, Membersof Universal Truth Ministries, Pastor Cedric & Alexine Moss & TheKingdom Life Church Family, Ministry of Education especially the Staff ofStudent & Special Services Sections,
Special Thanks to Dr. ChrispinGomez.
