A Time To Be Born
Nerva Bowe wasborn in the settlement of Farmers Hill Exuma on February 20, 1948, tothe parents of Marrinetta Strachan and Richard Smith. Shewas the eighth child and a great joy to the family.
A Time to Learn
Herearly childhood education began at the Roker’s Point Primary Schoolwhere she was an astute learner. At the age of fourteen (14) she became aclass monitor until she left to attend the Teachers Training Collegein San Salvador from 1968 – 1971.
She was Exuma’s pride and joy, whenshe graduated and returned home to continue teaching at the Roker’s PointPrimary School. She also tutored many students in the surrounding settlementsof Farmers Hill who went on to become exemplary citizens. Additionally, she also seweduniforms for the neighbouring communities.
In 1977, she relocated to Nassau where she taughtat the William Gordon Primary School. In 1997, she was named Teacherof the Year at Stephen Dillet Primary School where sheremained until her retirement in 2010.
Aunt Nerve, as she was affectionately called, was adisciplinarian at heart. Her children, nieces and nephews can boldly attest tothis. Even though she was firm, she was dubbed the “jokester” of thefamily and the one who would always leave a family gathering with more prizesthan anyone else.
A Time for Service
Nerva foundrefuge for her soul in the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptizedat Ebenezer Union Baptist Church in Farmers Hill Exuma, where she servedas a Sunday school and Baptist Training Union Teacher. When she relocated toNew Providence in 1977, she joined the Salem Union Baptist Church on TaylorStreet where she continued her service to God as a member of the seniorchoir.
She was a woman of great faith andprayed continually in faith to her God. She did not allow her physicalchallenges to hinder her service to God. When she could no longer teach,sing or attend church, she would always share her faith and testimony withwhoever visited her. She truly served the Lord Jesus Christ,her Saviour and Master to the end.
A Time for Love
In1976, she met and married the love of her life, Eulie CliffBowe. From this union, they were blessed with two children.
A Time to Die
Afterretirement, Nerva continued to experience back pains whichresulted in her seeking medical attention locally and abroad. In spite of herhealth challenges, she continued to persevere.
Duringthe weekend of May 8, 2021, she was not feeling well and received medicalattention. On May 17, 2021, with her loved ones at her bedside, she slippedinto eternal life.
Children: Lashaunda Strachan & Lathario Bowe
Son-In-Law: Lorenzo Strachan
Daughter-In-Law: Jena Bowe
Adopted Daughter: Elaine (Leroy) Franklin
Grand Children: Alliyah Coakley, Lorenique, Lauren, Laila& Layelle Strachan & Cailyn Bowe, Jana, Eddison& Jaleesa Moncur
Brother: Richard Smith
Sister: Estine Rolle,Sheila Mackey & Cynthia Smith
Sisters-In-Law: Rev.Sherry Bethel, Janet Bethel, Sheila Moss
Brothers-In-Law: Enos Mackey, Bruce& Leroy Bethel, Marvin, Trevor, Ricardo, Howard, William, Luke &Godfrey Bethel, Hughdon & Alvin Bowe
Nieces: Nurse Daphne(Carnel) Ferguson, Patricia (Alan) Wells, Elaine (Leroy) Franklyn,Yvette (Daiquari) Rolle, Nursing Sister Eserine Rolle, LaverneClarke, Marie (Tracey) Lemme , Shantell(Ira) Nelson,Rochelle Rolle, Judy Miller, Rose (Vernon) Knight, Debbie Ferguson,Monique Smith, Susan O’Brien,, Dianne (Shawn) Rolle, CharleneLaing, Sherrell (Teran) Rodgers, Janice (Garth) Rolle, Selina Perry, Noralee (Darren)Martin, Irene(Dwayne) Outten, Nathanria (Anthony)Williams, Cherriqua (Wellington)Taylor,Sherry Nixon, Rosemary Ferguson, Stephanie Crawly, Linda Johnson, ChristineStubbs, Ieisha Percentie, Linda, Denise,Inga, Nioshi, Geneen, Rochell, Diana, Cora & Ellie Smith
Nephews: Floyd& Barry Strachan, Raymond (Linda) Rolle, Urriah, Tyrone (Marie) Rolle,Nahum & Jamal Rolle, Neville Ferguson Jr. Dwayne Mackey, Rodger Hurley,Frederick, Brian, Kevie, Vernal & Lawrence Smith, Doyle & GaryJohnson.
Numerous grands & great grandnieces &nephews
Other Family & Friends: Shirleymae Bethel & Family, Bloneva Adderley-Rolle &Family, Patricia Ambrister & Family, Judymae Winder& Family, Audrey Winder & Family, Susan Bethel & Family, CliffBethel & Family, Caleb Johnson, Hannah & Lawrence Brice, ChristineFlowers & Family, Pastor Wesley Ferguson & Family, Rev. Adam Brown& Family, Donna Hepburn & Family, Wilfred Bastian & Family,Christopher Strachan & Family, Dorcas Shuttleworth, Absalom Roach& Family, Rev. Stephen Smith & Family, Cleophas Gibson &Family, Bishop Franklyn Ferguson & Family, Rev. Phalmon Ferguson &Family, Ben McKenzie & Family, Family of the late Hilbert Flowers,Family of the late Sarah Rolle, Family of the late Matilda Stuart, Elsie MaeSmith & Family, Vesco & Family, Gladstone Rolle & Family, Family of the late Hymenius Flowers, Family of the late Emmanuel Rolle,Family of the late Velma Curry, Family of the late GloriaFlowers, Mario Martin, Blossie Smith & Family, PatriciaClarke, Nerva Gardiner, Kervin & Angie Morley, RandyRodgers & Family, Perry Smith & Family, Lionella Thompson & Family,Regan & Bergit McKenzie & Family, Apostle & Elder Maxine Butler& The Bahamas Christian Fellowship Global Family, Rev. Dr. Wilton &Marion Strachan & Family, Peter & Beverly Brown & Family, Ian& Evamae Webb & Family, Ms. Burrows & Family.The community of Garden Hills, Farmers Hill and Old Place Exuma.
