A TIME TO BORN
On the 26th day of October 1948, in the tranquilcommunity of Douds New Bight, Cat Island. A beautiful baby girl was born to theparentage of the late Otis and Elizabeth Strachan. This beautiful blessing wasgiven the name Shirley Cleomi, as she was the first child and only girl, shewas her parents pride and joy.
A TIME TO LEARN
Shirley received her education at the New Bight all ageschool. Shirley was a bright child. She excelled in academics and received herleaving school certificate.
A TIME TO EARN
Upon completion of school like most young people in her day,Shirley migrated to new providence seeking a better way of life. Her firstplace of employment was as a cashier at Mr. Clarke Crystal Dry laundry mart. which lasted but for a shorttime. However, she wanted a better life this desire motivated to seek betteropportunity. Thus, she found employment in the insurance business, namelyNassau under writers, British Fidelity and Family Guardian insurance companies.Shirley wanted a new experience, after working for many years in the insurancebusiness. During the early eighties she found employment in the cable beachstraw market. Shirley worked there from then until the closing of the marketdue to the global pandemic. While working in the straw market she met peoplefrom all over the globe being the affectious person she was.
A TIME TO LOVE
Shirley met the debonair Mervin Kerr as a young ladysweeping her off her feet. This courtship ended in marriage on the 27thday of August 1965. This union was blessed with two beautiful children.
SHIRLEY SPIRITUAL WORK
I must work the work of him that sent me while it is day forthe night is coming when no man can. See to work. Being born in the RomanCatholic faith, she wanted a more spiritual experience due to her desire forevangelistic work. This desire led her to join the Voice of Deliverance Church.This was the start of her spiritual work visiting the sick in homes and mostlyweekly visit to the hospital, encouraging praying and giving out tract helpingto spread the good news of God. After leaving Voice of Deliverance, shecontinued her evangelistic message as the lord would lead her. Shirley finalspiritual covering was under the leadership of Apostle Brendalee Woodside atBlessed Assurance until the time of her passing.
SHIRLEY END
In December 2020 Shirley was diagnosed with stage fourbreast cancer. Her faith in her God remained strong. We her family saw herslowly closed up her earthly house, knowing that she had another building to dwellin not made with hands. On Friday the 28th day of May in the cool ofthe afternoon, Shirley bid her family, friends and this world farewell,farewell, farewell.
A TIME TO MOURN
Shirley was predeceased by her parents Otis and ElizabethStrachan, her three brothers Herbert and Charles Strachan and Kensell Burrows.
She is survived by One Daughter:Evangelist Deborah Gibson; One Son: James Kerr; Five Grandchildren:Audrianna, Shandeka and Phelicia Gibson, Joanna and Geraldine Kerr; Nine Great-grandchildren:Evard Carroll, Tristin Reshan and D’Keyrah Gibson, Aysia Clarke, KevayahLightbourne, Laurel Desir, Annalisia Neeley and Tre’Nique Hepburn; Two Sisters:Ethan Burrows and Helena Rolle; One Brother: Kenton Burrows; Seven Aunts:Pernell Edwards, Tussie Hanna, Veronica, Olga, Hermia, Shirley, and CeceleBrown; Three Uncles: Roland, Humphrey and Rodney Brown; Four Sisters-in-law:Rosetta Strachan, Gladys Rolle, Ella Jones and Hilda Rawls; Four Nieces:Astra, Monique and Pamela StrachanAntonia (Tyrone) Knowles; Six Nephews: Angelo(Tasha), Otis, Dwayne, Al,Jamaine and Antino Strachan; Six Grandnieces: Ashdi Williams Jada andTrevon Mckenzie, Karefra Rolle, Jerkayla and Kentagerma Strachan; Three Grandnephews:Sireosha, Jermarion and Kentrevion Strachan; Two Godchildren: BrendalynNeilly and Al Strachan; Cousins: Lucita, Olga, Mitchell, Peseretta,Brandhilda. Hezekiah, Brendalyn, Alma, Jackson, Anthony, Dr. Olga Clarke,Bishop Margo Burrows, Marie, Terrence, Mark, Jennifer, Christine, PastorVincent Brown, Roderick, Valerie, Gregory, Dale, Teora, Omar, Yvette, Sharlene,Vashti, Myra, Jeroma, Fred, Angela, Mildred, James, Denise, Judy, Juanshell,Ava, Ronnique, Rodney Jr, Matthew, Fica, Sertina, Sherman, Charles, Lyndon,Teressa, Patricia, Valerie Mortimer, Alisa, Dellarese, Herdie and Melandie; Otherrelatives and friends including: Mervin Kerr, Judy Curry, The Strachan,Gaitor, Poitier, Dorsette, Pratt, Kings, Thurstons, McDonalds, Moncur, Gibson,Williams, Brown, Dawkins, The straw vendors of Cable Beach, Bonaby, Bishop DeonMott and the Lighthouse Apostolic Ministries and family, Apostle BrendaleeWoodside and the Blessed Assurance church family, Apostle Winton and PastorJoydawn Roberts and Prayer and Deliverance church family Patricia (TC) Coxlifelong friend, Arlene, Cedric Alvin (Bossman) Clarke; Special thanks to Doc’sPharmacy, Oncology and Social Services department, Little Ceasser Pizzamanagement and team, CGT Contractors, Maxine Lightfoot, Frankiata Forbes,Ricardo Stubbs, Cable Beach straw vendors, Lydia Brice, Kevin Lightbourne, andthe Registrar General Department.
