On November 15, 1945 in thequaint and tranquil settlement of Conch Sound North Andros a beautiful bouncingbaby girl was born to the late Herbert and Florence Walkes nee Pratt. She wasthe fourth child and a great joy to the family and was christened Mary Susan.
Although education was basic andlimited on the island in those days, Mary acquired the knowledge that wasavailable. She was a fast learner with an excellent spirit and pleasantattitude. She enjoyed going fishing with her big sister Beulahmae even thoughnone of them was able to swim.
She accepted the Lord as herpersonal Savior at an early age. She was taught discipline and good manners andto respect her elders and to reverence God. Mary grew into a lovely woman. Shewas outspoken but respectful, she always said that no one was going to takeadvantage of her.
Mommy had a mischievous side asmost teenagers. She would wait for her mother to go to church first and thenshe would hem her skirts up to her knees as she detested long skirts anddresses. When she would arrive at church her mother would come down of thepulpit and rip the hemming out of her skirts! But as soon as she would get backhome Mommy would sew the hems right back up!
She moved to Freeport and workedin various hotels and restaurants as a cashier and night auditor for a time. Thenin 1970 she moved to Great Harbor Cay where she met the most enchanting man,his name was Charles. he would play the most important and integral role in herlife, for the rest of her life.
On November 13,1971, Mary wasjoined in holy matrimony to Charles Rolle of Mastic Point North Andros. Thisyoung couple made their home in Conch Sound where they raised eight children.In 1997, the family relocated to New Providence because of a job transfer daddyhad received.
She was the consummate housewifeand mother who dedicated her life to her husband and children. She always believed that her family was herfirst ministry, and that was her primary responsibility. She was a real multitasker for she could cook, clean, wash, iron, bake and do everything else inbetween. Not only was she an amazing mother to her eight biological childrenbut to countless others. She enjoyed cooking, and baked the most delectableloaves of bread on the island. She continued this trend even after moving toNew Providence feeding anyone in her neighborhood who desired a plate of food,this was her ministry. She believed in the power of prayer, for she would gofrom house to house praying and ministering the Word of God. She didn’t need apulpit or a microphone she used what the Lord gave her. She was also kind and compassionate and would giveher last if need be. She would babysit forboth family and strangers alike, she had a special love for children,especially babies, there was always a baby in the house.
She became a member of the Churchof God of Prophecy Seven Hills under the leadership of Bishop Clarence N.Williams and began serving right away. She was a prayer warrior and an avidbible study and mid-week service attendee. She loved serving on the HospitalMinistry team under the leadership of Minister Brendalyn Neilly. She would beexcited for Sunday mornings to go to the hospital for service. After doing allof this she would still be home in time to prepare the Sunday meal in grand styleand await the influx of neighbors, family and friends. She also loved helpingto prepare for cookouts at her church, she believed in hospitality, she wouldquote the scripture “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby somehave entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2.
In 2007 mummy suffered a mild stroke and herhealth has been declining ever since. She was then later diagnosed withdiabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Although she was not always feeling well, shewould never complain, she was always cheerful, jovial and peaceful. Her voicewas strong and her eyes would light up especially when she saw her grandchildren.
Her memorymay have been fading, but she remained faithful to her God. She never forgothow to pray and call on Jesus.
On Tuesday morning November 2, 2021 with herfaithful husband by her side she took her last breath and went home to be withthe Lord.
Mummy´s soul is now resting in the presence ofher Lord and Savior.
Left to celebrate her life andcherished memories is her dedicated anddevoted husband of fifty (50) years:Charles; two caring and dependable daughters:Charlesa and Marie; six loyal anddutiful sons: Julian, Kevin, Cotney, Geno, Charles Jeffrey, and JeremyRolle; Adopted son: Nigel Brown; Loving Grandchildren: Shavargo,Nicolette, Nicole, Noelle, Kevin Jr., Lance Corporal U.S. Marine DevanteMiller, Julian Jr., Kayvon, Pholemus, Gianna, Rilyn and Riley Rolle; One son-in-law: Nicholas Bowleg; two daughters-in-law: Gilda and LisaRolle; sisters: Beulahmae Fowler,Marie Evans, Iris Walkes-Dean, Pastor Jennifer Roberts, Sandra and June Walkes;Brothers: Herbert, Floyd, Alexander,Roscoe, and Creswell Walkes (deceased); Sisters-in-law:Elder Gloria Culmer, Minister Brenda, Elder Terra, Audrey, Christine andClaudine Rolle, Deloris, Audrey, Dorothy and Barbara Walkes; Brothers-in-law: Pastor Audley Fowler,Andrew Dean, Franklyn Evans, Minister Mike, Absalom, Hercules, and Don Rolle; Nieces: Deborah Finley, Mary Brown,Rachel and Ava Fowler, Andrea Dean Bouchard, Deandra Walkes, Kenita Mackey,Florence and Cynteish Walkes, Beulah Lang, Joan Pratt, Natasha Evans, Christine,Shamini, Inderia, Floydia, Durranda, Sansirae Walkes-Heintz, Samantha, Kizmet Walkes-Smith,Andrea Walkes-Ewan, and Shannon Walkes, Anastacia Rolle, Ocia Bedford andKeishan Johnson and Thelma Brown; Nephews:Philip, Timothy, Stephen, Mark, and Matthew Fowler, Ricardo Walkes, James,Nigel, and Joseph Brown, Tiki, Kiki, Rusty, Reo, Daren, Shawn, Prescott andCreswell Walkes Jr,. Christopher Rolle and family, Pastor Chesley Finley, KristophFinley and family, Chesmond Finley and family; God children: Rolance Manny Pratt, Esther Jackson and Shanez Carey;Cousins: Pastor Alma Russell andfamily, Albetha Davis and family and Mable Pratt and family, and Pastor ChesleyFinley, Kervin and Minister Ellavese Godfrey and family, Era Adams and family,Esther, Florence Pratt- Meyer and Family, Jessica McKinney and family, and RuthBrown and family, Pastor Dr. Nathaniel and Jenna Pratt and family, Dr. Williamand Bernadette Pratt and Family, Ezra Pratt and family, Glenroy Pratt andfamily, Benjamin and Monique Pratt and family, Samuel, George Pratt and family,Ernest Pratt and family and Rudolph Griffin and family; Other relatives and friends including: Bishop Clarence N. Williamsand family, Bishop Julian and Valencia Johnson and family, Bishop KendalSimmons and family, Apostle Phalmon and Elder Sophia Ferguson and family, ApostleBenjamin and Pastor Schevon Smith, Andy and Zanovia Ferguson and Family,Minister Brendalyn Neilly, Minister Sandra Johnson, Minister Alma, MinisterLeona Fraser and family, Inspector Royann Russell Collie, Julia, Marcia andLeroy Russel Jr. Linda Pratt, Megan, Manderaand Rolance Pratt jr. , Nurse Faye Lewis, Darnell Burrows, Latoysa, Pastor Leo and Sonya Charles and family,Mildred Miller and family, Mary Marshall and family, Grace Strachan and family,Prince and Zilpha Mackey and family, Randolph Mackey, Mae Miller and family, TheLafleur family, The Rolle family, Cheryl Lightbourne and family, DelareseCampbell, Randy Mackey, The Riley family, Dr. Michael N. Darville, numerousgrand nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends, the entirecommunity of Conch Sound North Andros, and the Tall Pines neighborhood.
