There is a time for every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die. Ecc 3:1
His Entrance:
On 5th November, 1940, it was a joyous time in the home of the late Rev. Frank and Victoria Cunningham when their eldest daughter Viola and their son-in-law, John Vincent Bowe announced that they had had a son. This was their eldest grandson. But sadly, and unexpectedly, after a few months after giving birth, she passed. His father later remarried again and other children were added to that union. Gerald had to live with his grandparents. His dad also passed away when he was eight years old, so all of his siblings were at the home of their grandparents.
His Education:
He attended pre-school and then entered public school at the Palmdale Primary then forwarded onto Eastern Junior and Senior School where he mushroomed and became one of the most brilliant students. This afforded him the opportunity to attend Ministry of Education Technical Workshop for boys so that they were able to learn a trade. He mastered his craft in carpentry and decided to pursue a career in building. He worked as an apprentice under several persons until he was certain he could go on his own. He worked in the day and attended evening classes to further his education. He obtained his BJC’s and BGCSE’s passing with top grades. He loved mathematics most of all, which was most instrumental and carried over to his profession as a building contractor.
Work Ethic:
He worked with several construction companies until he became the Foreman on most jobs on which he was assigned. He supervised and built many dwellings, homes, commercial buildings, and churched in New Providence and on the Family Islands. He worked for a brief period at the Ministry of Works as a building inspector, and then was offered a supervisory position at Batelco which he embraced. His portfolio at Batelco was in the Building and Civil Work Department where he was a senior manager. He traveled extensively throughout the Family Islands. He had a rewarding career that he enjoyed.
Family Life:
Gerald knew his future wife long before they were married. They attended sister churches and on various occasions would see other at conventions and crusades. His grandfather and his future father-in-law knew each other quite well. It was a happy day as Gerald wed his one true love, Ellamae Sarah Adderely, on 25th July, 1970. It was the wedding of the year! This union was blessed with six children, one of whom is now deceased. Gerald sacrificed greatly for his family ensuring that they had better opportunities than he had. He being bought up to participate so heavily in church ministry, he knew no other way but to raise his children the same way. He made sure that their lives was influenced with God’s word daily because he believed in the scriptures. Yes he bought his children to church, and yes he conducted weekly family Bible study and pray time with them, but he also made sure to take his children on family vacations, sometimes twice a year. Some vacations were one week for the church General Assembly and then the next week was real family vacation.
Ministry Work:
As a young man living with his grandparents, he was encouraged to get involved in doing the work of the Lord. He participated in many facets of church work and served in many capacities as a confession of his faith in the lord Jesus Christ. He was an ordained Deacon, Pastor, Sunday School Superintendent, Small Group, Choir Master, Treasurer, ad Baptismal Minister. He loved music and enjoyed singing and playing his trumpet, which gave him a desire to join the Bahama Brass Band. He traveled with the band wherever they performed including Southern US states, The Family islands as well as throughout the Caribbean. During his time in the Church of God of Prophecy, he served and built the church on Shirley Street as well the church in Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera.He also repaired the church in hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. He served faithfully as the Pastor of the Baillou Hill Road church for five years, and was the District Overseer for the Island of Eleuthera for over twelve years. Since 2001, he and his family relocated and served at Southside Christian Church assisting in the work of the church in many capacities.
Sunset:
Sadly over the last two years, we began to notice that his health was failing. Even though he was medically challenged, he remained steadfast in his Faith in Jesus, unmovable in the work of the Lord. Despite all this, he faithfully entered in the House of the Lord rejoicing and praising joyfully. Both before and after service he would greet some of the leaders and members imparting last words of blessing, and encouragement, strengthening them in their christian faith. In early May, he suffered a mild stroke that limited his mobility, causing him to be absent from church. Then a few weeks later, he again suffered another mild stroke that proved too much to overcome. He was admitted to hospital again and there he quietly slipped away home to his eternal rest on 24th May 2023.
Gerald Bowe was predeceased by his daughter, Dorissa Bowe.
Left to treasure his memories and celebrate his legacy is his dedicated wife for 52 ½ years, Elder Ellamae Sarah Adderley Bowe.
His sons: Vincent (Denise) Bowe, Valentine Bowe, Vaughan (Krystal) Bowe.
His Daughters: Sharon (Barrington) North, Nicole (Damien) Bain.
His Grandchildren: Destini, Daleyah, Benjamin Bowe, Gabriel Dean, Kyree Culmer, Nyia, Liberty and Noah North, Cam’rie, Carlyle, Damien Jr. Bain.
Aunt: Dorcas Bain of Hallandale Beach, Florida
Brother: Pastor Franklyn (Sharon) Bowe.
Sister-in-law: Shirley Newbold.
Aunt-in-law: Sandra Cunningham.
Nieces: Arlene (Sean) Thompson, Barbara and Madelyn Bowe, Vivian Henfield, Bianca Moss.
Nephews: Victor (Chevette) Bowe Randy Bowe, Alphonso Bowe, John Newbold.
Grandnieces: Ashleigh Thompson, Kurshante, Kiara, K’Vashti Springer
Grandnephew: Stafford Springer.
Cousins: Deanne and Pastor Timothy Johnson, Dwight (Joanne) Cunningham, Mark (Annamae) Cunningham, Kevin and Antoine Cunningham, Shavonne Wilson, Marion (Preston) Pratt, Bernard Bain, Mervin (Melissa) Bain, Terry Bowe, Cephas Bowe Jr, Willamae Rolle, Whitney (Beverley) Rolle, Roach Family of Steventon Exuma, Bowe and Rolle Family of Exuma, Cunningham Family.
Numerous other relatives and friends including: Apostle Dr. Clifford and Dr. Judy Smith, Bishop John and Elder Patrice Ingraham, Prophet Dion and Elder Delarese Beneby, Elder Manerva Gray, Elder Carolyn Bethel, Elders, Ministers, and members of Southside Christian Church, The Wilson Family of Hallandale Beach, Florida, The Bain Family of Hallandale Beach Florida, Cynthia Bain and Family, Mary Daxon and Family, Mackey family, Lillian Adderley and Family, Minns Family, The Rolle Family, Henfiend Family, Lillian Rolle and Family, Church of God of Prophecy Family, Elsworth Moss and Family, Batelco Family, PMH Staff, Berry Islands Family, Kemp Road Community.
