On Friday August 9, 1996 a 1 pound 14 oz.baby boy made his premature entrance into this world. While in utero he wasgiven the name Perez (breakthrough), Andrew (after his maternal grandfather)Dinero. After two months in the special care baby unit at the Princess MargretHospital he was finally brought home. His proud mother Pat (deceased)wasoverjoyed. Everyone who came to visit doted in him.
20 months later his mother Pat was tragically taken away from him. Hisauntie Golean (Valarie) then became mommy. From that day to the day of hisdemise she mothered, protected, disciplined, loved and some would even sayspoiled him.
Perez was well loved by those who knew him and always made a lastingimpact on everyone who came in contact with him. He was known as the life ofany occasion. His friends looked up to him and constantly sought his advice andGodly counsel. His mother would jokingly tell him he should become acounsellor. He made many lasting friendships while attending first stepAcademy, Prince Williams High School and Cherub Christian Academy. Perezstruggled to find his niche in employment but eventually he did when he becamea certified phlebotomist. He was so happy to share this accomplishment with hismother and close friends.
Perez had a passion for singing. Be it Gospel songs or greatest hitsfrom Whitney Huston, who he reminded everyone “was his birthday twin” . Hetravelled with the national children’s choir, sang on the choir at his formerchurch and was one of the newest members of the Life Changers praise team. Thiswas such an amazing milestone in Perez’s life and although he never got achance to actually perform with the praise team before his demise he isgracefully singing in heavens choir
Perez was raised by two strong women, both his mother and grandmotherheld an infectious love for the lord which evidently led to Perez growing up inthe church attending prayer meetings, bible study and regular Sunday services.His desire to always have a relationship with the lord often led him toencourage his friends to attend services or even work on their ownrelationships with the lord. As God does not have grandchildren he had to makea personal commitment to the Lord for himself.
He was trained in the way of the Lord and though he sometimes strayedhe soon returned to his first love making Life Changers his final church home.He loved his Apostle and Pastor Cleo and was always so excited to go to churchon Sundays and return home sharing his experience.
In addition to singing Perez loved to travel and often took solo tripsto visit family and friends. His desire to branch out was a tough decisionfor him to make but he held a passion to see what the world outside of theBahamas had to offer him and so he surely sought,
As thisyear progressed Perez began not feeling well and sought medicalattention which reluctantly on his last visit landed him in the hospital. Whilethere Perez and his mother would pray and sing as they reconnected under thesecircumstances. They discussed how much he was looking forward to coming home to“my mommy bed” but God had other plans. On Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Perezquietly transitioned from earth to glory.
He was pre-deceased by his mother Patricia Smith his GrandparentsAndrew and Elva Smith and his uncle Charles “Chuckie” Smith.
His spirit will forever be in the hearts of his other Mother: Valarie (Golean) Smith; Father: Dudley Mather; Brother: Silranis Saunders Mather; Grandmother: Selva Cooper; Uncles:Ralph Smith, James Cooper, Ernest Williams; Aunts: Cassandra-Lynette Cooper, Betsylee Rolle, Rev. Dr. FetusBowe, Minister. Sophia Major, Sophia Moss, Clarista Williams, Olive Newley,Mizpah Rolle, Venus Cox and Aunty Jackie; Cousins:Charkira, Charlae, Raquell, Aaron and Renniel Smith, Tornella, Jamie, Lyniqueand James Cooper Jr, Duranya, Diajah, Deanza, Dorissa, Darcia and Greg Cox,Shanell Archer and Darren Colebrook; Godparents: Ida,Deidre, Percel and Shirley; GodSiblings: Garon & Jessica and Family, and Mitzie Johnson; Special Friends: Aleia Sasha, Dorelle,Miss Jackie Rolle, Jeffernique, Francine, Doran, Amber Roberts, Enrica,Shanice, “The Brown Couch Crew”, Walex, Shafton, Pedronique Smith and family,The families of Adderley’s Terrace including: Ms. Henry, Ms. Smith, Sammy, Nevi,Shorn, Vanna, Harriet, Wantonese, Micheala; Other relatives and friendsincluding Apostle Valentino & Pastor Cleo Williams and Life ChangersFamily, Staff of Main Operating Theatre at PMH, and Bethany Assembly.
