On theland of the rolling hills and tranquil seas: Orange Creek, Cat Island, a babyboy was born to the late Solomon and Emily Rolle. They would name their fourth child, and secondson, Frank. Frank would live his entirelife embodying this name, for he was forever outspoken, blunt, forthright,free-spoken, direct but always honest and sincere.
Frankwas educated at the Orange Creek All Age School. At the age of 17 years, heleft Cat Island to seek employment in Nassau. He was a salesman at JBR Building Supplies forapproximately six years. He later found work at Burns House Limited, as themaintenance supervisor and remained there until his retirement in 2005. Frankwas a jack of all trades, he could do it all: carpentry, painting, and building.After his retirement, he kept himself occupied by doing odd jobs repairingschools and homes.
In1963, Frank met the love of his life, Dotlene Ferguson. They were friendsbefore their relationship became romantic, and in 1965, they were joined in holymatrimony at the Annex Baptist Church. Frank and Dotlene were cut from the samecloth, they were both stubborn, direct, hardworking, disciplined, industrious,loyal, and committed to each other. They would welcome two children to theirunion, Kimberlie and Corey. Frank came from humble beginnings, and he was proudof the legacy he had built for his children and grandchildren. Frank loved hischildren and would often brag about their accomplishments. He loved his grandchildreneven more and would often spoil them by granting them their every desire.
Frank hadmany passions, for he was gregarious, obstinate, fun-loving, opinionated, andthe life of the party. He loved entertaining. His house was the place forfamily and friend gatherings. He was serious about playing the game of dominoes,and at each of his gatherings, you would find him joyously battling it out towin. He did not like losing and heated disagreements would ensue, but withthat, there was always laughter.
Frankloved fishing. He would disappear for hours because he was off “shaddin’ withhis friends. He so enjoyed traveling to his beloved Cat Island and lookedforward to attending the annual Regatta. He would travel each year until he wasno longer able to participate in such excursions. He also enjoyed cooking, andhis peas and rice and peas soup and dough and pumpkin and grits with salt beef,conch and ham were requested dishes from family members.
Frankloved singing, you would often hear his beautiful baritone voice humming andsinging those old familiar gospel songs. Towards the end of his life, no onewould dare keep him off the dance floor. At the delight of everyone around him,he would spin around dancing, encouraging others to join in on the light-heartedfun.
Frank wasa family man. His nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart. Heenjoyed spending time with them and would often drive by their homes to checkon them. As the eldest living relative of the Solomon and Emily Clan, he feltan obligation to assist whenever and wherever he could.
Frank grewup as a Methodist and after settling in Nassau, he became a dedicated member ofRhodes Memorial Methodist Church. He faithfully attended the 7:00 a.m.services, until he was no longer able to do so.
Afterthe untimely death of his beloved brother “Re” in 2016, Frank’s health began todecline. He was later diagnosed with dementia and his memory began to slipaway. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he battled this illnessfor many years. His mental and physical health began to take a toll, renderingthis giant of a man to a shell of his former self. He was hospitalized at thePrincess Margaret Hospital on numerous occasions, and on Thursday, April 11that 9:15 a.m. Frank fought his last battle and transitioned to be with the Lord.
Leftto cherish memories of this giant of a man are:
Hisdevoted wife, of almost 60 years:Dotlene Rolle. Daughter: Kimberlie (Carlos) Rodriguez. Son: Corey(Tonia) Rolle. Adopted son: Cyril Newbold. Grandchildren: MenelikJohnson, Carlos Rodriguez Jr., Korie Rolle and Jadon Larkin. Brother-in-law: David (Andrea) Ferguson.Sisters-in-laws: Shirley Spence, Corraine Rolle, Sherla Rolle, Thelma (Oscar)Kerr, Sandra (Prince) McPhee, Michelle Williams, and the Rev. Dr. BettieFerguson, of Miami Florida.
Nephewsand Nieces: William(Stacy-Ann) Rolle, Donald Rolle, ACP Anthony (Patrice) Rolle, Harry (Abigail)Rolle, Orson Rolle, RASP Kenton (Maria) Rolle. Patrick Rolle, Desrean Rolle,Haven Rolle, Julian Rolle, Linda Rolle-Dean, Denise (Trevor) Austin, Sophia(Robert) Marshall, Andrea (Carol) Hepburn, Gercle Miller, Charles Miller, KeithMiller, Astolin Miller, Henrietta (Anthony) Richardson, Janet (Sean) Lewis, Milton(Lovetta) Fowler, Sharon Fowler, Angela (Godfrey) Brown, David (Begrit) Fowler,Alexander (Theora) Fowler. George Rolle,PO RBDF Giovanni Rolle, Lamont Rolle. Reva Rolle, Kathier (Daron) Duncombe, Karen(Kendall) Belle, Nelda (Joseph) Fox, Felicia Neilly, Ernestine (Keith)McConnell, Lakeisha (Andrew) Hepburn, Shirley Smith, Staretta Spence, DelciaSpence, Shavanti Spence, Ethlyn Spence, Shenet Spence, Shinika Spence, KeishaSpence, Brenda Russell, Calvin Spence Jr.III., Martin Spence, Fritz Spence, Tyrone Spence,Wayde Spence, Antuon (Precious) Wright, Ryan (Jillian)Thompson, Roberto (Nadia)Kerr. Sonia Neilly, Talya Storr, and Aniska (Solomon) Morley, Attorney AshtonWilliams, Ayesha Williams, Alyssa Williams, Trevor (Danielle) Ferguson ofPittsburgh Pennsylvania, Nelson Ferguson of Miami, Florida, Deandra Ferguson,Davard Ferguson, Dearrington Coakley of Miami, Florida, and Sonya (Tanoris)Nelson of Miami, Florida.
Otherrelative and friends including:
Solomonand BB Stuart, Allan Stuart and Family, Dencil and Velthia Rolle, Ann and Val Lightbourne,Helen Goodman, the children of the late Merlene Stubbs, the Brown Family, AllanCooper and Family, Philip Styles and Family, the Smith Family, the Fife Family,the Williams Family, Sudlin Black and Family, Louise Moss and Family, LeonardoDavis and Family, Kenneth Ferguson and Family, Elva Stubbs, Godfrey and JenniceCooper, Philip Cooper and Family, the entire Jackfish Drive community, the entirestaff at Bahamas Supply and Air Conditioning including the Service Team: Avery,Jamal, Omar, and Donovan. The Miami Dade County Public Schools Family, the RhodesMemorial Methodist Church Family, the Annex Baptist Church Family, the NewLight Ministries Family, the Unity Center of Miami Family, the Burns HouseLimited Family, his caretakers: Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Walker, and Mrs. Archer, anda host of other relatives and friends too many to mention.
