The Early Years
On a bright Tuesday morning July 15, 1930, a beautiful bouncing babygirl was born to Evelyn Johnson-Maycock (deceased) andWilliam Hilton Harrison Maycock (deceased) whom they named IVA VERDINA.Her parents were prominent business professionals who ensured every opportunityfor her and her siblings. Unfortunately, Iva lost her mother at an early ageand shortly thereafter her grand-father William Bruce Johnson assumedresponsibility for her upbringing. The change in circumstances meant that shewould enter the workforce earlier than expected, completing her formal educationat Southern Sr. High School at the tender age of 12.
Iva’s first job was at the family convenience store “Johnson’s PettyShop” located on Toote Shop Corner. There she was known for her astute abilityto compute customer invoices with cash registers. This was true even true laterin life; everyone knew they had better have her exact change when sent to storeon her behalf. She often bragged that she never needed a calculator and frequentlysaid “I went to the ABC, 123 school where we learned to use our brain”.
This elegant, graceful young lady caught the eyes of the charming PeterHerbert Patton (deceased) at age 17 years old and the two were married onDecember 14, 1947. Iva worked at the Emerald Beach Hotel at the time andshortly thereafter was employed by the Delaplants for over 11 years. Over thistime the family admiration and respect for her grew and they made every effortto support her knowledge in bookkeeping and business management. When theDelaplants left the county, Iva was able to parlay her experience intoopportunities with Mr. Roy Thompson and The Caldwell Family and eventuallymanaged a convenience store owned by Mrs. Ormond Poitier. She managed the storeuntil 1972, when she decided to move to Grand Bahama.
New Beginnings
Grand Bahama represented a fresh start, butlife was increasingly complex and not without scrutiny. It was Iva’s innerstrength, perseverance and indomitable spirit which enabled her to soar abovechallenges to achieve her goals. Although principally employed at the GrandBahama Airport Company, her resilience allowed her to manage several jobssimultaneously. She often reminded us that “hard work never killed anyone” and inferringher business acumen often said that even though she never made “big money,” sheknew the value of a dollar, how to save, when to buy, and when to sell.
A tenacious and independent lady, Iva was not afraid to sacrifice anddid what was required to achieve hergoals. In 1973 only one year after moving to Grand Bahama, she saved enough topurchase a duplex at #13 Paradise Lane in Sea Horse Village. She was the firstperson of color, a woman no less, to reside in the prestigious Sea HorseVillage. This home grew into the heart of the family, at one point hostingeighteen family members and friends. Later she formed a partnership running asuccessful charter bus service with BahamasAir as its main patron. She retiredin 1985 and was recognized with a grand celebration by Sir Edward Saint Georgeand given a gift of a solid gold coin - a tribute to her hard work, smarts, anddedication.
Soon after her retirement she was remarried to the debonair ErrollBeckford (predeceased) on July 11th, 1987. The marriage saw her return to NewProvidence. There she helped expand Mr. Beckford’s taxicab service. Togetherthey saved and sacrificed to upgrade their vehicles. The improvements led toprominent services for a host of politicians, affluent guests, and specialevents. The two also had a green thumb and grew a variety of produce betweentheir farmlands. They manage a wide array of crops, but mangos were veryspecial to them. During mango season they ensured that everyone had their fillof that year’s harvest. They loved growing their own food and would often tellus we have too much grass in our yards and to remember that you can’t eatgrass. Their love for each other was undeniable and she was heartbroken when hepassed in 1992
Fulfilling Her Purpose
Iva was baptized at St Annes Anglican Church but later followed herhusband Peter to the Church of God. She was one of the original members of theFowler Street Church of God and a founding member of the Chippingham Church ofGod. She was also a founding member of Church of God Temple in Freeport, GrandBahama. Iva served in many Ministries within the church including the WomenMinistry, Convention Choirs, The Lords Kitchen, and a host of other outreachand fund-raising events. On her Birthday she encouraged her children andgrandchildren to give her $1 for every year of her life; the funds raised weredonated to the Charitable cause of her choice. She returned to Fowler StreetChurch of God after her second marriage and faithfully attended until she couldno longer walk up the Church’s steep stairwell.
We all knew Iva loved the Lord and was evident throughout her life andwhat she imparted in her children and how she treated people. Most of her daysentailed listening to the Gospel Radio Station while singing the song orhumming the melody, knitting, watching Game Show Network and her favorite TheRoney Moncur Show. She had a beautiful soprano voice, was a member of the CoralHarmonizers, and looked forward to singing in choirs. She loved the traditionalgospel songs and if one of her favorites played on the radio the conversationstopped while she sung or hummed the tune. She also enjoyed travelling and wasnever in one place for too long.
An amazing cook, she was known for serving exceptionally generousportions. Her Sunday meals were especially notorious. She took delight inputting together the most intricate, delightful, scrumptious meals. On Sunday’sshe was somehow able to complete a full 3 course meal before 9am to ensure thatshe and her entire family attended Sunday School and had family dinner justafter the worship service concluded. Whether it was freshly baked bread andpasties, okra and rice, split peas soup, stew or boiled fish with hot johnnycake, anything with pumpkin, they were all great. She was always proud that shewould make anything taste great without the use of salt and browning.
A modern-day good Samaritan, Iva loved people and helped as many as shecould. There are countless individuals that came into her home daily for a hotmeal or stayed free of charge for months on end. Others she nursed back tohealth or helped get out of a financial jam. Whatever she did for you wasbetween you and her. She did not need a special thank you – her joy was seeingyou succeed. She always reminded us that if you don’t give, you don’t receive,and daily showed us how her generosity led to countless blessings. Indeed, shenever made any “big money” but her hands were never empty.
Iva loved her family but was also a firm disciplinarian. She kepteveryone on the straight and narrow and those who slipped had better do so outof her presence. She was influential in the lives of her 11 children, 35grandchildren and 47 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and wasoften their main confidant. She NEVER forgot any of their birthdays, nor didshe miss any important milestones. Even in her last days she called herbirthday celebrants. Her grandchildrenwere also her children and so too were their friends. Once you got into herworld, she never let you out.
The Next Chapter
This beautiful soul had a full and complete life. She told the familymany stories of World War ll, how our country was developed and the mistakesand success of our past leaders. She knew what British rule meant and why thenation wanted independence. She shared the struggle for racial equality andfirsthand pains of being a woman. She took great care of everything she owned,did not believe in waste, and valued people. She openly and transparentlytalked about both the successes and failures of her life. She told it like itwas to whomever needed the message. She was not ashamed or bashful andsucceeded more than she failed.
On November 19th she returned to Freeport; little did we know it wouldbe her last moments in Nassau. On Monday December 6th, 2021, she experiencedconvulsions and was rushed to the Rand Memorial Hospital by her daughters. Shespent one week in hospital being diagnosed with a blood clot in her lungs andan enlarged heart. On December 13th she was released but had several trips tothe hospital in the days to follow. The week beginning January 24th it seemedlike her appetite and strength returned. She called most of her family andfriends and on Saturday January 29th sat in her room most of the day prayingfor children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren,and friends. On Sunday January 30th she shared conversations with her mother, father,and brother. The following two days she stopped eating and was returned to theRand Memorial Hospital. On February 1st, 2022, the birthday of her mother,second son Roderick, and memorial for her last son Desmond (predeceased), herheart rate and oxygen levels declined significantly. At 12:05 a.m. on February2nd, 2022, she transitioned from earth into eternity.
Left to cherish her memories are:
Children Anne (Vernon) Ellis, Ethel (John) Curtis-Banks, Brenda Patton-Bowe, Iva(Jackson) McIntosh, Roderick Patton, Kendal (Olive) Paton, Jeffrey Patton,Fredricka (Durrell) Thomas, Lorraine Dawkins,
Stepchildren Gloria Patton, Patrice (Larry) Rolle, SharonAdams, Bernard Beckford, and Paternda Beckford-Payne
Grand Children: Calvin, Davon (Monique), Anita, AnishkaTurnquest, Nikita, James (Justina), Baron (Shanique), Clifford (Chrishna),Antonesio (Stacia), Deven (Maxine), Lamardo (Kenisha), Javier (Kareema) Bowe.Jevon (Anya), Evar (Hopia), Denero McIntosh, Shae (Monte) Davis, Roderick, andGenesis (Bianca) Patton, Kenosha, Nishan, Nathan, Andra, Kasar, Christella,Lavardo Patton, Jonestoe (Donisha), Joelissa, Joenicka,Joerell, Joericka Thomas, Linardo and Lakara Dawkins, Susan and RochellePatton, Patrick (Leeshae) & Marine Seaman Larry (Stevonnia) Rolle, Dr.Lynden Cooper, Anton Rolle, Jeremy, and Brandon Adams.
Great Grandchildren Xander, Daishaique, Yishai, Donnavan Turnquest,Santana Dean, Jeremy Thompson, Amari, Dashanti, Baron Jr, Teron, Lavon,Clifford Iii, Chazton, Channing, Antonia, Connor, Joaquin, Kaherine, Devon Jr,Abriaham, Ajrona, Zoekaia, Chardonnay and Carmello Bowe, Javier Jr, Brean,Brielle Bowe, Jayla, Brianna and Arianna and Caleb, Djohn and Djimon McIntosh,Ava Bella Rose Thomas, Amair Bevans, Wellington Khairo Ivan Higgs, WelliciaHiggs, Emmanuel, Ashsanti, Demetri and Dejohn, Kaidence, Neriah, Hadley-Ann,Jinero, Katya, Blake, Drew, Anthon Jr., Kaiesha and Jazario Rolle, Lalia,Jeremy, and Brandon Adams
Great-Great Grandchildren Garvin Geovanni Gardiner and Sadie Thompson
Sisters Hycinth Vinola Maycock-Mullings and Doris Maycock-Russell
Sisters In Law Ina Maycock and Dorothy Patton-Bethel
Brothers In Law Rev. Emmerson Patton
Nieces & Nephews Dulcie Mullings-Self, Xernoma, Arthur J. L.,Arthur, Golda Maycock, Sheldon Maycock, Marisha Humes and Family, Bernadetteand Benson Russell, Brenda Maycock, Loretta Coakley, Jackie (Victor) Johnson,Fred Josey, Bishop Eric Josey, Rev. Alfred Josey, Minister Ronnie Seymour, GlenJosey, Dwayne Josey, Kendolyn Josey-Williams, Detris Josey-Fernander, Eileen(Dr. James) Johnson, Demetria Edgecombe, Andrew Bethel, Leazona Bethel-Bennett.
Friends – Evangeline Penn & Family, Paul & Victoria Ferber, ThomasArcher, Loretta Jones. Geneva Davis, Ms. Aranhna (Eleuthera), Daphne Johnson,Alma Cox, Helen Newbold, Mitzie Barnett,Faye Delancey, Perry Lightbourne, Quinton Rolle, Wellington Higgs, John andPaulette Turnquest, Stacia Knowles, Flexie Smith & Family, Grace Maycock,,Tanya Stubbs & Family, Marsha Ferguson & Family, Charles Knowles & Dr. Jacqueline Penn-Knowles, Nyochee Patton &Family, Lincoln Dawkins, Julian &Karen Nixon & Family, Peter & Louise Koll & Family, Simeon &Sylvia Dawkins & Family, Annamae Tucker, Bernard Baillou, Judy, Renee,Cardison, Cardinal, Jeffrey & Tyrone Andrews, Carla Thomas, Byron andAntoinette Fyne, Albert & Marilyn Grant (Turks & Caicos), John andAudrey Ellis, George & Marcie Ellis, Veronica and Gary Turner, AnnetteMcSweeney, Domonic & Keswara Wilson, Patrenella Smith, Terrance and EveArcher, Mikayla Green, Deon &Vernita Leathon, Alphonso “Chicken” Albury, Ken Rolle, Cornelius A. Smith (Governor General Of The Bahamas)and Family, Marvin Dames & Stacy (Former M.P. and Minister of NationalSecurity) & Family, Rev. Fredrick A. and Lady Tracy McAlpine (Former MPPine Ridge) & Family, Cannon Norman Lightbourne, Freeport FellowshipCenter, The Church of God Fowler Street, Pro Cathedral of Christ the King,Church of God Temple Family New Dimension Church of God, Rev. Kenneth &Cynthia Fowler, Wayde & Erma Coleby, Rev. Durant Smith & Family,Bishop. Theophilus Rolle, Rev. Felix Miller, Rev. Brian Sands, Nurse Tina Dean,Grand Bahama Airport Company, Credit Suisse AG Nassau Branch, Bahamas FirstGeneral & Co., Tereeve College, Rand Memorial Hospital, Dr. Stubbs, Dr.Coakley, The Medi Center, High Rock Family, The Patton Family, The Beckford,The Morris Family, The McIntosh Family and The Community of Coopers Town,Abaco, Wilson, Lockhart, Munroe, Wallace and The Ragged Island Family and TheEntire Stapleton Garden Family.
