On Sunday the 29 th day of October, 1939, the late Burk Edward Culmer and the late Madlin Louise
Culmer embraced their first son in settlement of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera. The child was named after his
father Burk Edward Culmer. He attended the Hatchet Bay All Age school, where he obtained his
education. He grew to be recognized as a GOOD child, because he was helpful and assisted in taking care
of his siblings and mother by shining shoes and cleaning stores in the neighborhood. He was drawn to
the things of God at an early age and was preaching from a young age. Because of this, everyone to this
date in the settlement of Hatchet Bay refers to him as ‘Mr. Burk’. As a youngster Burke, moved to New
Providence in search of employment, along with his siblings and mother, where he began an Auto Body
Repairman trade, and later moved on to become a Bus-boy, and an Attendant at the Geriatric
Sandilands Hospital.
On a Good Saturday afternoon at the age of 19, while sitting in the Movie Theatre, Burk became
captivated when his eyes caught the visual of a beautiful young lady who was sitting not far from him.
Being the bold soldier that he was, he moved without hesitation to begin his inquiries and found out
that she was Patsy Moree, and long story short, the following year on the 10 th day of April 1960; she
became his bride for over 64 years. This union produced (10) children, of which two of them
predeceased him.
During the sixth year of the marriage, as Burk assisted and became active in the Church of God of
Prophecy in 3 P’s Corner and Baillou Hill Road, he felt the leading of the Lord to return to Hatchet Bay
and Pastor the Church of God of Prophecy there. While serving there between 1966- 1972, he was
elevated to District Overseer of the Prophecy Churches on the entire island, inclusive of Harbour Island
and Spanish Wells. In those years there was an economic downturn on the island, which made it difficult
to maintain a growing large family, so in October 1972, Burk and his entire family returned to New
Providence, where he became gainfully employed at the Paradise Island Golf Course, then shortly
thereafter became self employed as a Taxi Driver (872) until his retirement in 2006.
In 1973, Burk fully renovated his home which he had purchased before going to Eleuthera, and moved
his family into the Rock Crusher area. The following year (1974) he was approved to start an Outreach
Tent Ministry, which was fully assisted by Evangelist Barbara Williams and Team members. The ministry
grew well and a Church of God of Prophecy was constructed on the same site in (1975). The ministry
was known to have the Best Christmas Programs. As the membership continued to increase, he was
transferred to the Church of God of Prophecy Augusta Street to build the work there in 1979-1988. After
9 years of ministering at Augusta Street, he resigned and joined the Church of God Incorporation, where
he was ordained as a Bishop. He later joined with the Assemblies of God, under the leadership of Pastor
Irene Russell, after his Senior Pastor passed away. This was where he remained, but later could
not attend due to health challenges.
These challenges began in 2008 when he lost his eyesight followed by his mobility as time
progressed. He became totally dependent on the care of his wife, who fulfilled her wifely duties up to
2017, after which she was relieved to rest by their children. The final years of Burk’s life, were years
that he was able to bond closer with all of his children and some of the grand children and to grow in
grace. He was observed using his personal time wisely, growing from Glory to Glory, being transformed
in the presence of God as he prayed, and cried out to God and worshipped Him.
On the 12 th day of May 2024, during a visit and he gave his last testimony and prayed a blessing on his
family. This was his last week. His health and appetite continued to deteriorate, so he was taken to the
hospital on Saturday 18 th May, 2024 where he passed away peacefully the following day.
HE IS NOW RESTING IN PEACE!!!
Left To Cherish His Memories Are:
His wife: Pasty Culmer Children: Clayton (Sheena) Culmer, Virginia Culmer-Woodside, Jacob (Barbara)
Culmer, Solomon (Merhandoh) Culmer, Newton (Renae) Culmer, Emma (Marcus) Bassett, Christine
(Norman) Richards, Wendy (Devaughn) Miller Grandchildren: Thaddeus Culmer, Derek Nottage,
Anthony Woodside, Isaac Emmanuel, Newton Culmer Jr, Felicia Gibson-Dean, Naeton, Tonnae, Tianna,
Isaac, Johnathan, Elizabeth, Phillip, James and Jeremy Culmer, Nathan and Benjamin Richards, Keithra
Bowleg, Zahnae Brown, Sapphire, Jacinth, Solomon, Topaz, Clayeisha, Joseph, and Shekinah Culmer,
Justus and Grace Bassett Great Grand Children: Derek Nottage III, Luke and Mateo Culmer,
Favor Gibson and Renae Culmer Sisters: Shirley Allen and Christine Cunningham Nephews: Barry, Billy,
Donnie, Basil and Jeffrey Allen, Lionel and Derek Lotmore Nieces: Jessica Sanders, Sheila Douglas,
Prodesta Moore, Jennifer Knowles, Michelle McKenzie and Bridgett Stuart Numerous Relatives and
Friends: Family of the late Olive Lafleur, Family of the late Remilda Pinder, Family of the late Evelyn
Pratt, Family of the late Liza Smith, Family of the late Lorrina Cox, Family of the late Sarah McPhee,
Family of the late Annie Lafleur-Knowles, Family of the late Kirk Culmer, Family of the late Rollie Culmer,
Family of the late Victoria Gibson, Family of the late Herbert Culmer and the Family of the late Pearl
Wright, Tremaine Hart ( Nurse/Caregiver), Bishop Timothy Johnson
(Godson), Pastor Irene Russell and the Glad Tidings Family, Bishop Anthony Johnson, Bishop Ghaly
Swann, Bishop Kendall Simmons, Pastor Dianne Coverly and Evangelist Barbara Williams
