On February 7, 1937 Port Howe CatIsland, a bouncing, beautiful brown-skin baby girl was born to Sarah HureanRolle and William “Cutchie” Deveaux. She would be named Clementina.
During her formative years, sheand her partner in crime, her brother Rupert, who would later become herpastor, lived with their grandparents, Mama and Papa. Two peas in a pod, committed to mischief andsworn to secrecy, a bond that only Mama’s whip could break.
Her early education began at CatIsland All-Age School in Port Howe. Once she graduated, she along with her momand sister matriculated to Nassau, then to Hatchet Bay Eleuthera. Over theyears, she was able to acquire several BJC’s and various secretarialcertificates. However, when confronted with the prevalence and the harshrealities of the racial and gender discrimination of the day, she having anabiding faith in her God and an unyielding determination to survive and providefor her family, leaned steadfastly on what became her life’s mantra, as sheoften said, “My God will never leave me or forsake me.” She then turned to herGod-given talents of cooking and cleaning of which she made a long term careerproviding these services for many affluent and influential people. Some ofwhich were but not limited to employers such as James Cockwell (Fmr. PresidentCommonwealth Bank), Pettis (Baycroft), Chapelle (Lyford Cay), Senator Brady(Saratoga Springs New York), Amway (Nassau & Atlanta), Ross McDonald (Fmr.VP Royal Bank) and Chinese Ambassador’s Residence.
As for her family life, she was adevoted and loving mother who was completely committed to teaching her 10children the importance and the power of prayer, her favorite Bible verse beingPsalms 121, which all of her kids had to recite every evening without fail.
Naturally, the church played sucha significant role in her life, that many would jest and say that as long asthe doors of the church were opened, ‘Sister Tina’ was there. This indeed was her home away from home andonce there, no matter the task or the capacity, she was prepared to serve. However, she was one who never needed thecrowd in order to voice her opinion and if it hurt, as she would say, “the onewho holla, is the one who got hit.” Sheserved in various capacities in The Apostolic Church of Christ, such as SundaySchool Superintendent and also as a teacher, where over the years, she was ableto touch generation after generation. She also served in other areas such asthe Missionary Department (Tenure as President), The Women’s Auxiliary and manyothers, as she would often quote the Psalmist who said “I’d rather be adoorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
In 2014, she was diagnosed withthe early stage of dementia that would progressively become more severe over aneight-year period. It would seem as ifthe enemy sought to attack her mind. ButGod Said “Not So!” In the finalthree months of her life, like The Prodigal Son, she came to herself, for theHoly Ghost completely overshadowed her. During the last six weeks of her time spent here with us on earth, aslong as she was awake she was completely consumed in prayer and praise. On theevening of Tuesday April 26, 2022, while at home surrounded by her loved ones,she whispered that she was tired and bade us goodbye. Though our hearts may be heavy with grief andour eyes overrunning with tears, we stand in awe and in admiration for this isthat culmination, that coronation for the many years of devoted service to God,that classic end and triumphant transition from time to eternity. Her lastwords being “Hallelujah, Thank You Lord.”
Left to cherish her memories are:
Daughters: Bernadette Adderley,Andrea Johnson, Patricia Mott, Lavern Lockhart, Nicola Smith-Stubbs
Sons: Perry Jr., Patrick andKendal Smith
Brothers: Rupert, Joseph, Samueland Errol Smith.
Sister: Judy Pinder
Sister-in-Law: Maryann, Idamea,and Teresa Smith
Grand Children: Carlos, Marvinand Samantha Reckley, Tracy Ellis, Stacy Hernandez, Adrian and Bernard Bremby,Ambronette, Ambrone, and Ambree Adderley, Krystal Lewis, Vanessa Smith,Stephanie McDonald, Jessica Buttler, Carla Bethel, Roland Knowles Tyrese andTyla Tynes, Kendal Jr., Patrick Jr., and Deneko Smith, Jermiah and JathanStubbs.
Great Grand Children: FostaqiueBowe, Felicity Curry, Marquavia , Athena and Marvin (Jr.) Reckley, CaydenWilson, Tahje Johnson, Peyton Wright, Merrin, Carlos Jr and Collin Johnson,Trevon, Tracy Jr, and Talia Ellis, Leonard Carrol, Elizabeth Smith, Elijah Jennings, Delilah Christina Hernandez, Jeremiah and Christopher Lewis, JaydenMcDonald, Alexis Knowles,
Son in Laws: Ambrose Adderley,Jermaine Stubbs, Mario Mott and Kevin Tynes
Daughter in law: Khadija Smith
A host of nieces, nephewsincluding: Doris, Karen, Philip and Brian Poitier, Carroll Sherman, Paul,Shelly, Rubyann, Renville, Minister Gerard, Selma, Samuel Jr., Sheldon,Zebadiah, Samantha, Saleatha, Benjamin Smith. Petty Officer Michelle Woods,Vernencia Woods, Jonathan Munroe, Tevin Petty. Janet Strachan, AnastaciaTaylor.
Other Relatives and Friends:Sonia Reckley, Rafael Hernandez, Ashely McDonald, Patricia Smith, PetraWallace, Pastor Margo Burrows- Hall, Lavarda Adderley, Mariana Fernander,Marion Lewis, Sammy Strachan, Stephen Butler, George Pinder, WenthwardRichards, members of the Apostolic church of Christ. The Staff of Yellow ElderSenior Citizen’s Day Care, The Tynes Family, The Descendants of Cat IslandCommunity Association.
You have fought a good fight myMother, Sister, Grandmother, Aunt & Friend, may you rest in peace and risein victory.
