On Saturday, 23rd March, 1929 in the picturesquesettlement of Mason’s Bay, Acklins, Edwin and Florence Bain (nee Edwards)welcomed their third child and second son, and named him Fulton Calvin.
Fulton attended the Snug Corner All Age School where heobtained a basic education. He was very talented and enjoyed working with hishand. This was evident as he acquired skills in fishing, carpentry and masonry.
Tragedy struck in 1945 when his father and brother, Maylon,died in a boating incident in Acklins. In search of a better way of life, Fulton migrated to New Providence in1946 at the age of seventeen. Soon thereafter, he travelled to Florida to workon “The Contract”. While there he received news that his mother and sister,Katie, had suffered a similar fate as his father and brother. This news overwhelmedFulton, as he was unable to return home to say a final farewell.
After approximately seven (7) years of working on farms andother related industries in Florida, he returned home to The Bahamas.
On September 30, 1953 this tall, stately, debonair son ofthe Acklins soil married the quiet, unassuming oldest daughter of Robert andHattie Johnson, Dedreanna. This union was blessed with nine (9) children, fivebeautiful daughters: Andrea, Cora, Donnalee, Velma and Lavette, and four fine sons,Freddie, Darren, Terrel and Lamont.
He decided early in his marriage that his wife will not beemployed outside of the home, but would be a true homemaker, a helpmate, acompanion. He accepted his responsibility as priest, protector and provider ofhis home seriously. His life leaving was consistent, whether he was at home, atchurch, on the job or in the community.
Fulton was a family man and ensured that his wife andchildren participated in early morning prayer meetings, read the Word of Godand memorized scripture. He would pile them all in his vehicle and take them tochurch, sometimes three times on Sundays and encouraged them to be active inministry, whether it was Gleaner Band, Youth Ministry or Missions. He did notcompromise the gospel. He led by example.
He was a humble man, quietly tipping his hat/saluting as hepassed you by; rendering service to family and friends locally, but takingspecial pleasure in running errands for and delivering items to the boat forfamily members in Acklins. He especially enjoyed spending time on the “taxiline” with friends, drinking coffee, reading newspapers and discussingeverything that was happening in the church, in the government and socially.
Over the years, Fulton was known as “Bredda”, “Bro. Bain”,“Uncle Bren”, “Uncle Fulton”, “Rev” and “Apostle”, but became best known as“Sweet Sweet” – which became his classic response to any question concerninghis well-being or current status of life.
Fulton became a covenanted member of the Church of God ofProphecy in 1953 and immediately became involved in ministry. His love formusic led him to join the Bahama Brass Band (BBB) in 1955, as a saxophonist.While an active member of the Band, he embraced the opportunity to travel tothe General Assembly, and looked forward, with great anticipation, to the manyoccasions when the BBB was invited to provide music with spirit. In 2012, after15 years of dedicated service he was inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame.
As a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, East Street,he also served as a Prayer Minister, member of the East Street Men’s FellowshipChoir. His ministry was not confined to The Bahamas, as he looked forward tohis annual three weeks travel to South Florida where he preached the gospel ofJesus Christ in Perrine, Ft. Pearce, Sarasota Florida, or wherever theopportunity presented itself. He was a soul winner for Jesus, and many becamemembers of the Body of Christ as a result of his ministry. He was a faithfulservant of God.
In order to fulfill his commitment to his wife and family heengaged in gainful employment as a Grocery Store manager, Chauffeur,Horticulturist (Garden of Eden) and retired as Foreman, Bacardi and company in 1993after twenty- eight (28) years of distinguished and dedicated service.
Though retired from active employment, his desire andwillingness to work was kept alive as he completed construction projects,became involved in church ministries/visitation and took pleasure in practicinghis saxophone long after he retired from the BBB.
The past two years was a challenge for him as he tried tonavigate during the COVID pandemic – he often lamented that he was unable toattend church services as often as he wished, commented on the infrequentvisits to/from family and friends, and observed the depressed economy, evident almosteverywhere that he went.
Fulton shared a special bond with his baby sister, Emerald,and he was devastated by her death in December, 2021. No more daily talks,weekly visits, hearty laughter or plans for the future. He would often say“Emerald gone, I’m the only one left now.”
After the family’s annual Christmas celebration we werehopeful that he would have some additional time with him. But on Saturday, 15January, one week after he buried his last sibling, and while his children wereministering to him, he slipped quietly from time to eternity. He left a richlegacy. A testimony of a life well lived. We will miss him, but we have thatblessed hope that we will see him again! Until then…
He was predeceased by:
His parents- Edwin and Florence Bain
His siblings- Maylon and Harris Bain, Katie Bain, Learlean Cox and Emerald Hanna
Left tocherish his memories are his:
Wifeof 68 years – Dedreanna Bain
Children and their spouses – Andrea Bain, Freddie & ErmaBain, Cora & Kevin Colebrooke, Donnalee & Rodney Minnis, Velma Clarke,Darren and Lavette Bain, Terrel & Kimilee Bain, and Lamont Bain
Grandchildren – Triska Jones, Terrod Rodgers,D’Antoin Bowe, Lionel Minnis, Sherrell Bain, Trent Clarke, Kristian Minnis,Sherez Bain, Danielle Minnis, KristinColebrooke and Shantrell Bain
Great Grand-children – Shanton Bowe, Terrod Rodgers Jr. Kayniaand Lashawn Minnis, Ephriam Bowe, PrinceAden McSweeney
Brother-in-law - Joseph “Joey” Johnson
Sisters-in-law Florence Bain, Jacqueline Clarke, Patricia Forbes, Ruby Dean, VeronicaBowe, Lydia Miller, Pastor Dianne Coverley, Dr. Cleo Pratt, Melvern Davis, Dr.Bernadette Burrows
Numerous nieces and nephews – Nathlie Chuno, Heudol and AudleyBain, Trudy Morris, Edell Saunders, Doralyn, Hyacinth, Floramae and VillacyBain, Peralee Knight, Lois, Martha, Monamae, Eileen, Karen and Pauline Cox, WendyKelly, Jehu Cox, Elvis and James Hanna, Sharon Bowe, Beverley Kerr, Berkley, Alton,Wayde, Gary, Troy, Sherlin, Andy and Adrian Hanna
God children – Deacon Kirkwood Simmons, HillardWalker, Lloyd Cunningham, Berkley Hanna and Nathalie Chuno
Other relatives and Friends – Dorothy Watson (Fl.), Vernon Hanna, AlinsHanna (Fl.), Dorothy Cox-Hanna (Fl.), Inell Williams and family, Kelson Cox andfamily, Wilson & Nathalie Bain and family, Annamae Ferguson and family,Freddie Nabbie and family, Wilfred Beneby and family, Holland & Elsie Deanand family, Al & Eartha Pyfrom and family, Judy Williams and family, NelsonJohnson and family, Anthony Dean, Bobby Ambrose, Flori Dorvil and family, EddieFox, Theodore Clarke, Rhonda Ingraham, Ishmeal and Barbara Rolle and family,Pastor Timothy and Minister Deanne Johnson and family, The family of the lateHilton & Theus Bain, The family of the late Robert Gibson and the GibsonFamily Reunion, The family of the late Bishop Nathaniel & Victoria Beneby,The entire Johnson family (descendants of Robert and Hattie Johnson), BishopDr. Franklyn and Minister Rovena Ferguson, Bishop Elgarnet and MinisterJacqueline Rahming, Bishop Brice & Advira Thompson, Bishop Hulan andValerie Hanna, Bishop Woodley and Verneque Thompson, Directors and members -Bahama Brass Band and Men’s Fellowship, Church of God of Prophecy East Streetfamily, Dr. Nicholas Fox and staff, The Medi Center Clinic.
