Withthe calming breeze of the Atlantic Ocean blowing ever so sweetly, excitementfilled the home of Edwin and Florence Bain, nee Edwards in Masons Bay, Acklinsas they welcomed their last bundle of joy into this world. Realizing that shewas a special gift from God, they looked into her sparkling eyes and named herEmerald (like the gem) Deny.
When Emerald was only 5 years old both of her parents Edwin and Florence, herolder sister Katie, and her younger brother Malon died in a tragic drowningincident. The family had a farm on Ashton Cay and they travelled by a smallboat to get back and forth. Upon their return from the farm, a storm was out onthe ocean and their little boat capsized. She then went to live with her olderbrother Harris and his wife Florence. Emerald was educated at the Mason’s BayAll Age School.
In 1953, she relocated to Nassau and lived with her aunt, Lillian Bain for ashort time. She later lived with her brother Fulton and his wife Dedrieanna.She found gainful employment as a cashier at Cox Food Store located on EastStreet, owned by Julius Cox and her cousin Cleomi Cox.
Emerald joined the Church of God of Prophecy, East Street where she worshipped.Arnold R. Hanna was a Minister in the Church of God of Prophecy, East Streetwhose first wife passed, leaving him with five young children: three boys andtwo girls. Arnold met Emerald at church and he asked her to be his wife.Emerald consulted with her brother Fulton and he gave his blessings. In 1957, shewas joined in holy matrimony to Arnold R. Hanna.
Emerald continued to worship with her family at the Church of God of Prophecy,East Street and in 1968 she joined the soprano section of the senior choir. Hergreatest joy came from singing under the directorship of Sister Nathalie Bainand she said, “I like when Sis. Nat directs the choir, she is sosprightly”.
God blessed the union of Arnold and Emerald with eleven children, nine boys andtwo girls. Coupled with five children from the previous marriage, this gavethem 16 children. The Hannas were One Big Happy Family! Arnold’s favoritescripture was “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them”.
Unfortunately, in 1981 Arnold died leaving Emerald the mammoth task of beingboth Mother and Father to the 15 children; the youngest was Adrian age 3, and 7children were still in school. Arnold’s final words to Emerald as he lay in hishospital bed holding her hands were “don’t worry Emerald, GOD will take care ofyou”; she was at his bedside when he died. Emerald said “it was not easyraising 8 boys all alone”. There were many long, tough days and many cryingsleepless nights, but she placed her confidence and dependence in God, and Godprovided!
Family devotion was a very sacred time in The Hanna household and her favoritechorus was “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his Word, justto rest upon His promise just to know thus said the Lord”.
After relocating from Rolle Avenue to Exuma Street renamed Amos FergusonStreet, she assisted in managing the family’s department store (Arnold’s Fabric& Shoes). As a business woman, she took many trips to Florida to purchasesupplies for the store. Emerald loved cooking and baking; always ensuring thather family was well fed. Her mouth-watering conch ‘n grits, potato bread,coconut tart cake, cornbread, homemade bread, and rolls were enjoyed by many,but her famous spice cake with cherries and walnuts was a true delight duringthe Christmas season.
Christmas was always a happy and festive time for The Hanna Family. Emerald’slast daughter Margel’s birthday was on December 25th and Emerald’s birthday wason December 28th. This gave the family a reason to have a huge celebrationwhich always turned into a family reunion.
Sundays were always feast days at the homestead. Every Sunday, Emerald cooked abig, scrumptious meal and she took delight in feeding her children, grandchildrenand several persons from the neighborhood; these meals were very delicious!Emerald taught Sharon how to make peas soup ‘n dumplin’ and Nikita how to makebaked macaroni and cheese. Adrian really liked her peas soup with the “longboy” dumplin’ and dry conch. Emerald always looked forward to cooking for EastStreet’s Soup Kitchen and her famous huge pot of hearty peas soup n dumplin’with salt beef and conch always came back empty.
In December 2000 Emerald’s sixth son Kendrick Arnold, took sick with a veryrare illness and his medical journey was extremely difficult. Kendrick was likean ICU patient, living at home, bedridden on a respirator, requiring 24-hourcare. Yes, there were nurses, but sometimes Emerald did it all alone. Lo,children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.In February 2005 Kendrick passed.
Emerald’s only sister Lerlean still lived on Acklins, and though they were nottwins they certainly lived as if they were. Emerald anxiously looked forward tothe summer months each year because Lerlean would come down and visit for abouta month. For Emerald, this was a time of pure bliss because when Lerlean cameto Nassau she brought dry conch that she cured, corn, peas, beans and nativesweet potato that she harvested, and of course her famous flour cake andcornbread that she baked in her outside dutch oven. The sisters lived so welltogether that they both shared the same bed during Lerlean's visits. Someevenings brother Fulton, as Emerald affectionately called him, would stop by tovisit. The time of fellowship between Fulton, Lerlean and Emerald would bepriceless, as they talked about the good ole island days and shared manymemories of old. Nearing the end of Lerlean’s trips were always a bitter sweetmoment. On the day of Lerlean’s departure the two sisters would be seen givingtheir final “good byes” and one last hug with tear filled eyes. The persontaking Lerlean to the Airport, would sometimes get caught up in the sistersemotional “good byes” as well and would also shed tears looking at the sistersdisplay their love and affection for each other. On October 1st 2019, Lerleanpassed.
Emerald enjoyed dressing up and she was a true fashion icon. Her tall, slenderframe made it easy for her to wear those simple but very elegant dresses, alongwith her stylish broad rim hat, matching shoes, purse and lace handkerchiefgave her the completed look.
Emerald’s disposition was very meek and mild with a soft tender heart but sheruled with an iron fist. She firmly believed that if you spare the rod youspoil the child! Emerald never remarried - she remained faithful to her God,her husband and to her children. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but awoman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. She will forever be theLegend of the Hanna Family.
Emerald lived an exemplary life, one that was pleasing and acceptable unto theLord and we honor her for that. We have never seen our Mother act unseemly orcarry herself in a disgraceful manner; she constantly displayed and embodiedchristian principles. She was the glue that kept The Hanna Family tightly stucktogether. She did the best that she could do and raised all of her children inthe fear and the admonition of the Lord, instilling those Godly principles andshowing them the way. Emerald has never once went to prison or the courthousefor any of her children.
Her children expressed their love and affection to her by celebrating hermilestone birthdays in “grand style” - from her fiftieth to her eightiethbirthday. She loved travelling and was afforded the opportunity to attend theGeneral Assembly on many occasions. Additionally, she visited London, England;Canada; and various states in America. As she approached her “Golden Years’,she spent most of her time at home with her family and her caregiver Annmarie.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the deadwhich die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they mayrest from their labours; and their works do follow them. On Tuesday December14th, 2021 Emerald answered the call of the Lord and quietly transitioned toher heavenly home. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time arenot worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
She was predeceased by:
Father & Mother: Edwin & Florence Bain
Brothers: Harris & Malon Bain
Sisters: Katie Bain & Lerlean Cox
Husband: Arnold Hanna
Daughters: Annaville Cooper & Margel Smith
Sons: Wendell & Kendrick Hanna
Her untimely death leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of her Children andtheir Spouses:
Elvis & Prescola, Minister Sharon & Pastor Franklin D. Bowe, Bishop G.James & Stephanie, Beverley & George Kerr, Berkley, Alton, Wayde &Sharon, Sergeant 1829 Troy & Tericita, Gary & Christine, SergeantSherlin & Detrice, Sargeant Andy & Deloris, and Adrian
Left to cherish her memories are:
Brother: Fulton Bain
Sisters In-Law: Dedrieanna & Florence
Grandsons: Craig, Antonio, Wayde Jr., Wayron, Wayshad, Ethan, Theo, Travis,Trey, Kyle, Stefan, Anfernee, Aidan, Akeem and Sadai Hanna, Rashad and RahedeSmith, Victor and Basil Bowe, Tyrone and Dr. Teo Cooper, Adlai, Vaughn, and Dr.Kyle Kerr.
Granddaughters: Elvisa Dean, Jasma, Janessa, Jayvis, Garise, Shante, T'Andra,Troyeisha, Dr. Tasega, Bernique and Bernishka Hanna, Racquel Curry, Ranishkaand Raniece Smith, Barbara and Madelyn Bowe, Tara Rolle and Kenise Blenman.
Great grandsons: Tyler Glinton, Antonio Jr., Justin and Aidan Hanna, JaidenArmbrister, Rashad Smith Jr., Eldrick Jr., and Eltaro Rolle; Teo Jr. andTeondre Cooper
Great granddaughters: Iesha Hanna, Cierra Glinton, Raneisha and Reeanna Smith,Kenadie Dean, Eldrica and Taranique Rolle, Neylan and Kamia Kerr.
Great great grandsons: Eltaro Rolle Jr.
Great great granddaughters: Skye Hanna, Elrayah Rolle
Nephews: Bishop Hulan, Geoffrey and Leonard Hanna, Jehu Cox, Frederick, Darren,Terrell, Lamont Audley, Harris and Cyril Bain.
Nieces: Annabell, Velma, Patrice and Maria Hanna, Peralee Knight, FlorenceFerguson, Lois, Martha, Monamae, Eileen, Karen and Pauline Cox, Wendy Kelly,Andrea, Lavette, Doralyn, Hycinth, Floramae and Villacy Bain, Cora BainColebrooke, Donna Minnis, Velma Clarke, Nathalie Bain Chuno, Trudy Morris andEdell Saunders.
Other Relatives, Friends and Their Families:
Nikita (Charles) Ferguson, Annamarie Bridgewater (Caregiver), Michael Lockhart,Mispah Strachan, Alexander Walkes, Anita Williams, Malean Edwards, CynthiaBrown, Julieann Christie, Edwina Gibson, Leotha Whylly, Nora McClain, PatriciaForbes, Dotley Bastian, Sonia Bostwick, Jacqueline Clarke, Lelah Cunningham,Beatrice Henfield, Janet Pratt, Beatrice Ferguson, Blossie Stubbs, Lotmore andRolle Families and the Amos Ferguson Street Family.
Goddaughter: Pearlean Alexis
The Church of God of Prophecy East Street:
Bishop Dr. Franklin & Minister Dr. Rowena Ferguson, Bishop Elgarnet &Minister Jacqueline Rahming, Bishop Woodley & Vernique Thompson, BishopBrice & Advira Thompson and Members of The Senior Choir.
Doctors & Nurses of Princess Margaret Hospital Female Surgical Ward andDoctors & Nurses of Doctors Hospital.
