“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price isfar above rubies.”
Her entrance……
On June 17, 1945, the Valleyneighbourhood changed as a gift from God to Grace Tinker and ZephaniahBridgewater ( both deceased) entered this world. She was named Diane Elaine.Her names, Diane meaning “divine” and Elaine meaning “bright shining light”, was lived outin the life of this amazing woman as shedivinely lit up any room that she entered into. At the tender age of fouryears, after the sudden demise of her mother Grace, Diane was placed in thearms of Grace’s sister Vera Rahming and her husband George, who immediatelybecame the parents that nurtured her and reared her into true purpose anddestiny.
Her education and employment…
Focused, ambitious and a lifelonglearner, Diane matriculated through primary and junior high schools and shesuccessfully completed the prescribed curriculum to graduate from the SouthernSenior High School. With a determinedmind to contribute to the income of her household, immediately after high school,she began her career journey in the hospitality industry at the Britannia Hotelon Paradise Island. This first work assignment prepared her for a stellar careerwith the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, now Bahamas Power and Light where sheserved as the switchboard operator and ended her career as a Senior Data EntryClerk. Customers would call BEC, just to hear the Diane’s voice, as she hadcreated a signature greeting and those on the other end of the line were alwaysrewarded with her consistent professionalism and her vivacious personality.
In 2005, after executing her duties with anadmirable sense of fulfilment and pride, Diane exchanged her work attire tothat of a lady of leisure, graciously retiring from the nine to five, to enjoyher children and grandchildren. Every summer she looked forward to her annualtrip to her son Alexis in Tennessee to make memories with his family, especiallyher beloved grandchildren.
Her embrace of Love…..
Diane first experienced true love,when she gave birth to her first son Bede. As a young mother, she learned howto love and nurture unconditionally. In April 1969, she experienced true loveat another level when she married Jeffrey Dean. This union was blessed with twogifts, her only daughter Marcella (Pinky) and her second son Alexis. Dianeloved her family “fiercely” and she treasured family values and traditions, willingto sacrifice herself for the sake of her family.
After the passing of Jeffrey in 1983,Diane continued to nurture and care for her children and was given anotherchance to love again, when she met Caswill Ferguson. They were joined inmarriage in December 2003. “Cas” as she affectionally called him, adored his“divine shining light”. This union reflected the essence of the marriage vows,“For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in heath”. Diane relished in the adorationof her husband and when her physical body became challenged after suffering astroke, Cas, continued his adoration and became her “personal nurse” as hegraciously attended to her every need until she took her final breath.
Her Encounter with Her God and herelevation……
Like the love for her family, Diane lovedthe Lord that gave her family. The fellowship of the believers was important toher and she did this often as an Anglican and for a season she worshipped withher Methodist family. She believed thatthe Word of God gave her power to live, and the fellowship of the believersgave her strength.
In 2015 Diane suffered a stroke, butremained hopeful as her husband and children provided her with the best medical care and embracedher with love and a positive environment to regain her strength. Her firstgrandchild La’Vonne held a special place in her heart and during her illnessLa’Vonne reciprocated this by giving her extra time and attention which alwaysbrought a smile to her face. On the morning of September 8, 2023, she exchangedher weakened body for a new one, and transitioned to be with her Lord.
The shining light has been dimmed andnow shines brightly in a better place. The memories of Diane will forever be inthe hearts of:
Her husband: Caswill Ferguson
Her children: Bede Sands, Marcella (Austin) Wilson and Alexis (Terika) Dean
Her grandchildren: Bryant Tinker, LaVonneFerguson, Aysha, Alexis II and AlijahDean
Her Great Grandchildren: Brianna, Ashley, Bryant Tinker, Zion Bethel
Her bonus daughters: Nicola Cooper,Latonya Bonamy, Morgan Ferguson
Her brothers: Cyril Smith, EdwardRahming, Arnold Wilson
Her Sisters-in law: Sandra Smith,Beverley Jacques, Patricia Ferguson, Alice Sands, Latasha Stubbs, Melvina Bodie
Her Nieces: Necola Smith and MarieSmith Robinson
Brother-in-law: Robert Ferguson
Cousins: Sandra Campbell, ColleenOdim, Denise (Phillip) Rolle. Shawna (Neil) Strachan, Edward and EenColebrooke, Cora Colebrooke
Other Relatives and friends: Catherineand Geoffrey McPhee, Natacha Huyler, Pastor Timothy Johnson and Minister DeanneJohnson, Marva Williams and The Johnson family, Pedro Ferguson and family, Mrs.Janet Cartwright and family, The BPL Retirement Association, The Holy TrinityFamily. Our mother had lot and lots of people she held near and dear to herheart, too many to name.
