On a beautiful day in 1930, December 14, a beautiful baby girl began to bud in the garden of earth in Burnt Ground, Long Island. She was born to George Rahming and Olivia Rahming nee Bowe. They named and christened her Lillymae Castella Rahming. Like most beautiful flowers, they don t bloom and grow alone. Lillymae was the youngest of three girls that came from this union of five. Being brought up in a loving home that taught good Christian values and morals, her parents lived by the biblical principles. As a daughter of a pastor for the Church of God of Prophecy, she grew up singing in the choir. Music was always the centre of her life. At the tender age of five she began her early education at Glintons All Age School. Upon completion at the age of fourteen, she began to teach for a few years.
Throughout her lifetime, she developed her craft of sewing which she used to support her livelihood. She then started working as a telephone operator and moved up the rank to manager of the post office. She moved to Nassau to seek employment and continued to sew while working at the Police Canteen as a cook. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Chester Leon Knowles of Simms, Long Island. This relationship continued until May 9th, 1954 when they were joined together in holy matrimony. This union was blessed with seven wonderful children namely: Cecil (Junior) (deceased), Kirk, Anthony, Alvin, Craig, Patrice & Fredrick (Tavi) (deceased) Knowles. Lillymae was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to her family. She was a "no nonsense" woman and was never afraid to epxress herself and her opinion when she felt it necessary. After the death of her first and last born, she returned to Long Island with three of her children to find solace and subsequently stayed for two years. In 1968, Lillymae returned to Nassau and resided on Palm Beach Street where remained until her death. For everything there is a season, a time to be born and a time to die. She became ill for a short period and slipped away from time to eternity on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014.
Left to cherish her legacy and loving memories are: Sons: Kirk, Anthony, Alvin (Gina), & Craig (June) Knowles; Daughter: Patrice (Robin) Nichols; Stepson: Joseph Knowles; Stepdaughters: Louise Adderley & Lillian Knowles; Stepdaughter-In-Law: Mary Knowles Pet: Rocky; Grandsons: Alvin Jr., Craig Jr., Anthony Jr., Amarion, Angelo, Aljero, Alexander, Donn (Yvette), Daks (Cindy), David (Antionette), David & Fritzgerald (Agatha) Knowles, Stanley (Earlene) Adderley, Rudolph Minnis, Deshannon & Thimo; Granddaughters: Alvarez (David) Farrington, Alicia, Althea, & Jasmine Knowles; Sasha, Summer & Sevy Nichols; Jackie (Earl) Hall, Veronique (Franklin) Russell, Shioban Knowles; Parice, Vandreah, Vanessa, DeShawn, Dionne Lee-Suarez, Gina Clare, Donnell, Davina & Debbie Knowles; Great Grandchildren: Daveigh Farrington, Sabra, Nikeria, Buster, Deangelo Davis, Hose Simms, Nederia Stuart, Donn Carlos Jr., Donte, DAvion, Danielle Knowles, Devante Neely, Ashley, Gia & Genise Smith, Stephenell Bain, Davian Lee, Reynaldo, Alyssa & Alia Suarez, Christian & Darius Knowles, TNeisha & Latrelle Knowles, Fritzgerald Jr.; Nephews: Jeffter, L.G. & Qbell Minns, Wesley Deryl & Mack Smith Nieces: Christine & Essence Minns, Malvese & Oralee (Zek) Adderley, Ilene Smith, Helen Darville, Oramae Pinder, Dylliss Smith; Grand Nephews:
Desmond Darville, Johnny, Jermaine, Cookie, Anthony Adderley, Gerrad & Doron Smith; Grand Nieces; Felicia Georgina & Melissa Darville, Nikki, Bernedette, Rose, Shelly, Fiona, Dorburnell Smith-Montalvo, Marcia Smith, Darcell & Dorema Smith, Monique Butler, Annalecia & Tarquan Pinder; Adopted Children: Gladys Miller, Elcine Mackey, Brenda Sands, John, Yvette, Aaliyah, Jada & Jaden Clarke, Remy (Tubby) Lewis & Charlotte Dorsett, Bishop Gerado Major, Andretti Nixon, Alvardo, Gregory (Box) Wright, Densil, Kevin & Renae, Edine Boyd, Shelly Lockhart;,Alana Brice Other Relatives & Friends: Grace Ferguson, Calvice, Paulamae, Patricia, Paulene, Sara Bromette, Paul & Derek, Sherry Smith & Family, Rose Barette, Patricia Nichols & Family, Lisa Percentie & Family, Melissa Nichols, Martha Deveaux of California, Mary Johnson, Former Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson & Family; Deputy Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Phillip Davis & Mrs. Davis; Vernetta Coakley & Family, Lewis & Family, Reginal & Andrea Cox, Roland & Olga Brown & Family, Joshua & Althea Rolle & Family, Patricia Clare & Family, Helen Ellis & Family, Shelia Cartwright & Family, Carmie Johnson & Family, Mike & Mildred Obrien, Helen Ellis, Dr. Patricia Forthe, Dr. Loksley Munroe, Dr. Chris Basden, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Woods, Kevin & Carmetta Christie, Steve Francis, Mr. & Mrs. Dion Foulkes, Pete & Sarah, Hal & Linda; The Management & Staff of Lowes Wholesale; Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department; The Tribune Staff; The Mount Tabor Church Family; St. James Road Family; Palm Beach Street Family; The Staff of Princess Margaret Hospital Private Surgical Ward; and a host of others too numerous to mention.
