Harriet Dean-Thompson-Minott’sjourney began on 2nd July 1918, a gift to the world and her parents,William Nathaniel Dean and Harriet E. Dean, named after her beloved mother, HarrietE. Dean, on the picturesque settlement of Mortimer’s Long Island in TheBahamas. As we reflect upon her life, we celebrate the legacy of a woman whosename echoed the beauty of her birthplace and whose story continues to touch ourhearts.
Harriet,the fifth of nine children, honored her father and mother and was endowed withmany admirable attributes. She attended The Mortimer’s All Age School where sheexcelled. After graduating, she migrated to New Providence to gain employment,provide financial assistance to her parents and younger siblings and make a betterlife for herself. Initially she secured employment as a Housekeeper and Babysitterbefore being trained as a Cashier.
As atrained Cashier, she initially worked at a Convenience Food Store in CableBeach. For many years thereafter, she was gainfully employed as a Head Cashierand stationed at Super Value Baillou Hill Road. Due to her competency, workethics and trustworthiness she was allowed to remain with the company beyondthe retirement age. Harriet was a lifelong learner whose “gifts made room forher”.
Special blessings must have been bestowed uponour ancestors as our grandmother, Harriet E Dean lived for one hundred (100)years and three of her children also became centenarians.Harriet-Thompson-Minott one hundred and five (105) years, BishopHerman H. Dean one hundred and four (104) years and JuliaAdderley one hundred (100) years. Another child, Catherine Dean Major lived for ninety-nine (99) years,barely missed membership in the Dean’s Centenarian Club, blest, nonetheless, with longevity. Collectively, the five (5) mentioned lived fora combined total of five hundred and eight (508) years. Nearly all of the othersiblings were granted lengthy life spans. Harriet-Dean-Thompson-Minott our legend of today lived one year longerthan her beloved brother, Bishop Herman H. Dean, thus becoming the longest survivorof her parents, William Nathaniel and Harriet E. Dean.
We are proud of our ancestor’s legacy of strengthand tenacity and thankful for the generational blessings passed on to us andfuture generations. May God’s name be praised!
"Ina family where many live beyond a century, each heartbeat is a testament toresilience, wisdom, and a legacy that transcends time, guided by the enduringprinciples of faith, hope and love of God."
Harriet handled family matters well, was always dearlyloved, highly respected and held in high esteem by the family.
Harriet followed the commandments of Her Lord,feeding the poor, visiting the sick, clothing the naked, holding the hand ofthe downtrodden and lifting them up. She became the voice of those who wereafraid to speak for themselves. We wouldnever know the many acts of kindness, caring and sharing that she performed,for so many persons; family members and others. Our beloved centenarian, HarrietDean-Thompson-Minott helped without expecting anything in return. God has the record and we believe that shewill be greatly rewarded.
Harriet’s development was enhanced when she met LeroyThompson. She was enamored by this handsome and charming man and always spokefondly of their courtship. This youthful couple were married and became theproud parents of two sons, Leroy Jr. and Prince, whom they cherished and loveddearly.
As a strong, courageous and industrious woman, Harrietconvinced her husband that if she were also given the opportunity to become a ContractWorker, their lives would be enriched and enhanced in many ways. Moreimportantly, she did not want to be separated from her beloved husband and friend. Both appliedand were accepted.
During that period in our country’s history, manyof our Bahamian citizens, mostly men, signed contracts that permitted them towork on farms in the United States of America, commonly termed, “Going on thecontract.”
Harriet Dean-Thompson-Minott, made history whenboth she and her husband left The Bahamas, as a couple to work on the Contract.They were confident and self-assured that they would return home better equippedfor the future. Unfortunately, she was forced to shorten her contract, andreturned home to care for a loved one, who suddenly became ill, after herdeparture. Eventually her husband returned home as well.
Many years after the death of her husband, LeroyThompson, Sr. and son Leroy Jr., Harriet met Mr. James L. Minott and became abride for the second time, on October 12, 1991. This union was filled with love,joy and happiness.
Many evenings, family members spent time withthem, enjoying their love and camaraderie. Unfortunately, this union was shortlived due to the passing of her husband James L. Minott on July 22, 1992. As faith would have it, death struck twice. Five days earlier on July 17th,1992 her beloved son, Prince Thompson transitioned. It was a sad time in her life but she wassustained and strengthened by the prayers of the faithful, her strong faith inGod and the support of her church and family.
In the late1970’s Bishop Herman H. Dean, brother of the deceased, introduced his sisterHarriet to the late Pastor Ralph Arthur for membership into the Church of Godof Prophecy, Minnie Street. At the time she resided on Miami Street, which waslocated in close proximity to the church. A strong bond developed and lasted for manyyears.
Pastor Arthur andSister Arthur ensured that she was chauffeured to church services, conventions,and other church events. Sister Harriet wasactively involved in the Church Fund Raising Activities and on many occasionswas the first to contribute to the Church’s National Drive. Additionally, she won many of the Fund-Raisingcompetitions, organized by the Women’s Ministry Department. Harriet epitomizedgood Christian living and was a faithful, devoted member up to the time of herdemise.
When the churchmembers met regularly at her home for prayers, she always joyfully joined inthe singing of songs and hymns, and heartily repeated the scriptures frommemory, though advanced in age. Each dayand several times during the day, she repeated her favorite quote: “The Lordis my shield and comfort, and in Him will I put my trust”. Hallelujah! Praisethe Lord”. Harriett loved the Lordand would testify of His Blessings and Goodness in her life.
After the death of Sister Alice Arthur in1987, Sister Enid Arthur began to care for and assist Sister Harriet in manytangible ways. They bonded and a strong and lengthy relationship developed andblossomed. Harriet adopted Sister Enidas a daughter and she dutifully accepted and fulfilled that role. For many years she was a faithful, trusted anddevoted caregiver to Sister Minott until she quietly passed in her sleep on Saturday,August 19th, 2023.
Harriett lived out the promise of the Lord, statedin Psalms 91:16 “with long life will I satisfy him,and shew him my salvation”, becauseHarriet obeyed God’s commandments and lived up to His Doctrines shelived a long and fruitful life.
The family of SisterMinott salutes and thanks Sister Enid and her Church Family for theirunwavering support, over these many years.
As quoted by her pastor, “We thankGod for her giving and helpful spirit; and above all for being a devotedbeliever. We will miss her, but she isin a better place; free from every imperfection and giving praise to God”.
We are thankful for her Godly wisdom, spiritualadvice and unconditional love. Harrietlived a life of gratitude and grace. In her senior years the overwhelming love andsupport that Harriett extended to others were returned to her ten-fold. There are many family members who also caredfor her; however, special commendations are extended to Jeremy, Harriet,Colette, Deniro, Dianne, Shena, Cynthia, Ralph, Audrey and Judy for theimportant role they played in the care of their grandmother, aunt andgodmother. You made us all proud and youwill be rewarded by our Heavenly Father.
In the pages oftime, a remarkable chapter has closed as we remember the life of a one hundredand five (105) year-old Christian who graced the world with unwaveringgratitude and boundless grace. May her legacy of faith continue to inspire usall to walk our own paths with love and compassion!
Sister Minott will be dearly missed by herfamily, friends and many people whose lives she touched throughout her long andmeaningful life.
May she rest in peace and may perpetual lightshine upon her.
Memories will be cherished by many including: Sister: Virginia Major; Grandchildren: Jeremy Thompson, Sr., Harriet(Alistair) McDonald, Colette Bootle, Margaret Thompson, Dianne Green; Great Grandchildren: Margo (Jermaine)Frazer, Tyvonia (Cliff) Rolle, Deniro, Jade, Jeremy Jr., Jercardo, Jermeko,Jervado Thompson, Justin McDonald, Tamara, Vanessa Knowles, Mariah Meggie,Lavanda Adderley, Meagan Dryden; Great-Great Grandchildren: Doyle Gaitor Jr., Deonte, Raven Johnson,Rayan Young, King Rolle; Nieces and Nephews:Barbara Bastian, Cynthia Brown, Ruth (Gary) Smith, Vanderline Fox, AudreyRolle, Eloise Pratt, Irene Beneby, Lula (Samuel) Thompson, Anna Dean, AliceMortimer, Gertrude Knowles, Florabell Williamson, Alfreda Cooper, Judy Higgs, GeraldineFountain, Donnalee, Marilyn Dean, Mirtlyn, Jessie Major, Bishop Norward(Ruby)Dean, Holland (Elsie) Dean, Minister Kenneth (Pastor Sandra) Fox, MalachiJr., Leland (Leslie) Dean, Michael Major, Anthony, Christopher Williams, BruceScott, Lawrence, Alicia, Reginald, Deborah and Shawn Cooper, Dr. Denise andMichelle Henderson; Other relatives andfriends too many to mention individually: including 124 Grandnieces andGrandnephews, 129 Great Grandnieces and Great Grandnephews, 55 Great-GreatGrandnieces and Great-Great Grandnephews, 5 Great-Great-Great Grandnieces andGreat-Great-Great Grandnephews, thefamily of the late Maryann (Prince) Thompson, Laticka Wright, The MortimerFamily, The Arthur Family, Louise Roxbury and Family, Bishop Philip Fergusonand family, Betty Williams and Family, Maria Munnings and Family, Blanche Stubbsand Family, Emily Cunningham and Family, The Church of God of Prophecy MinnieStreet Family, Bishop Hulan Hanna and Family, Tia Heastie and Family, The MiamiStreet Community, The Dunmore Street Community, Keith Forbes, Marilyn McKenzieand Family, Everette Miller and Family, Caregivers:Sandra Davis, Beth Taylor, Kayla Smith. Thanksto everyone who visited or spent time with her, called to checkup on her, orhelped her in anyway. God Bless You!
