The Great Depression of the 1930’s was definitely in progresswhen Reginald Shervin Gibson made his entrance into this world, born to JohnDaniel Gibson and Maud Izetta Moss-Gibson on a Summery Sabbath day the 24th,June 1933. He was born at Landrail Point,Crooked Island, an island in the Southern chain of the Bahama Islands.
He was predeceased by his parents Maud and John Gibson, hisGrandparents Edith Heastie and Paul Moss and his Great Grandparents WilliamHeastie and Emma Daxon.
He was the last of nine children, having had 3 sisters and 5brothers all of whom predeceased him. He was the only octogenarian in hisimmediate family. As a young boy,Shervin, as he was named and known, commenced his formal education at theLandrail Point All Age School, and later at the Colonel Hill All Age School.While in Crooked Island he was taught by Mr. Arnold Farquharson.
Daddy was known to be helpful to his parents in whateverchores, he was required to perform.
In his youth, he was known to be energetic, respectful and helpful,mischievous, a story teller and hardworking; it was to be most of thesequalities which prepared him for his various roles later in life.
At the age of 14, daddy had learned numerous skills; amongthem he knew how to scull a boat, dive conch, fish and farm. The family farmedSweet Potatoes, Indian Corn and Guinea Corn. He also herded, goats, cows andsheep.
From Crooked Island, daddy often travelled by mail boat toInagua to visit his father, John Daniel who worked as a watchman with the EriksonSalt Company. His travels to Long Cay, meant a visit to the Commissioner’sresidence to send messages by wireless telegraph to the rest of the BahamaIslands and the outside world.
In 1946, daddy migrated from the quaint settlement ofLandrail Point, Crooked Island to the bright lights of the Capital in NewProvidence, to live with Mrs. Edith Strachan, whose husband Bertram Strachanhad served as the Lighthouse Keeper, in Crooked Island. His purpose was tofurther his education.
While in New Providence, he attended Southern Senior Schoolwhere William Sturrup, Naomi Blatch, Mrs. Ruby Major and Mrs. Dillette taughthim. While there he developed aninterest in the subject of History. In trade school, he learned auto mechanics,a career which served him well in later life at finding employment to meet hisfamily’s needs.
In 1952 at the age of 19, daddy commenced work on “TheContract” also called “The Project”, a period in which, farm hands wererecruited from the islands of the Caribbean, particularly, The Bahama Islands,to fill the void left by United States citizens and farm-hands, who had beendrafted to serve in World War II. Heworked on Farms in New York, West Virginia and Florida, picking tomatoes,apples and oranges. While in Florida he met Peter Outten and the two developeda lasting friendship.
It was to be his personal experience and knowledge about lifeon ‘The Contract’ that he shared with his Grandson Jonathan that helped him toearn an “A” Grade in the History Coursework, and the Examination in the BahamasGeneral Certificate of Secondary Examination, sat while in Grade 11 in June2011
Daddy spoke of many stories about his life on “The Contract”.Stories about travelling interstate, and those on how he was treated favorablyby law enforcement during traffic stops.
Being tall and handsome, he informed, that there were anumber of female suitors who liked him and sought to bond with him, however, heknew that this was forbidden, as it was the days of Segregation in the UnitedStates.
On his return to the Bahama islands from “the contract”, hemet a number of bachelorettes, one of whom was Orville Lorraine Rollins, abeautiful Registered Nurse who won his heart and they were joined in HolyMatrimony on June 1st, 1958. The Bible states, he that findeth awife, findeth a good thing. Daddy had met his soul mate provided by the Fatherfrom above. In spite of the vicissitudesof life, this marriage survived to the end.
This union produced two God fearing and beautiful daughters –Linda, who pursued a career in teacher education and Barbara who pursued acareer in Nursing as a Registered Nurse & a Manager in Pharmaceuticals.
Having established a family home at Moncur Alley off KempRoad South, the young couple and their small children formed many lastingfriendships with the neighbors.
During this period, daddy worked as a mechanic in a number ofbusinesses and in various capacities. He Worked briefly in Grand Bahama at theGrand Bahama Cement Company, later, at the Caterpillar Company, The NassauReady Mix Company and short stints at Bay Street Garage. He later found permanent employment at theMinistry of Health on Baillou Hill Road, servicing their many sanitation trucksand becoming Head Mechanic. He spent 20 years at the Ministry of Health in thiscapacity.
Briefly, he opened a business named “The Big J” with anassociate, the late Mr. Carter Williams from San Salvador. This joint sold thebest burgers and chicken ‘n the bag. This business was short lived, but daddynever gave up searching for opportunities to find employment to supporthimself, his immediate and extended families.
He was helpful to many individuals and family members,especially his nieces and nephews. On weekends for a brief period, our home wasopen to our cousins Mavis & Irene who had been affected by the loss oftheir mother. Later, another cousin Stephanie spent a short time with thefamily.
In the summer of July 1969, daddy travelled with his familyto San Francisco, California to see his Sister-in-law, our Aunt Ruthie and herdaughter Cheryl and son Kirk. We had a wonderful time experiencing the cool andsunny climate. We visited many sights, among them: Disneyland, Twin Peaks, the CrookedestStreet in the World and Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco. Mommy sold UncleArthur’s Bed Time Stories to make this dream vacation a reality, she was a hardworker who wanted her family to go on trips to be educated about variouscultural and geographical aspects of the world. From California, we flew aplane from San Francisco, where we spent one week visiting with a family friendof my mom, the late Mrs. Adranna Marshall-Este and Cousin Carmetta Antonio andher mom, Cousin Lilith Antonio, and family. These trips were memorable oneswith mommy and daddy.
Daddy loved travelling and did much travelling with friendsas well.
It was sometime in the early 1990’s, daddy and mommy visitedher friends in London, England and Rome, Italy. Upon his return home daddyoften spoke of his visit to Rome and The Vatican and other historical sights.
Daddy’s proudest moments were to see his three daughterscomplete their Post-Secondary Education and obtain their degrees.
At the age of 50 he retired from the Ministry of Health. Hewas employed in a number of jobs. First, as a Security Guard at Sandy PortDevelopment. Later, as a mechanic at Nassau Dairy, from which he finallyretired for good in 2010. During thisperiod daddy was able to spend time with his wife, Orville Lorraine, a RetiredRegistered Nurse and assist with collecting his grand children from school. Healso went to the Retired Nurses Guild meetings with his wife and enjoyedmeetings with this group; for him it was a breath of fresh air to be surroundedby persons of the same age group of another profession, a few of these personshe already knew.
For the first time, daddy now had an opportunity to attendchurch and reconnect with his Saviour and Redeemer. He also attended many morefamily functions. It was during this period that mommy’s health also began todecline.
God had permitted them to enjoy 5 wonderful years together inretirement. Mommy always prayed for her children and husband as well as others.She was a Woman of Prayer. It was her prayer, to see all of her family memberssaved in God’s Kingdom. When mommypassed on September 14th, 2015, little was it known that God wasanswering her prayer, for on October 10th, 2015 daddy received theLord Jesus Christ and was baptized returning to his Lord and Saviour. Therecomes a time in a man’s life when he must have a come to Jesus moment and putaway all manner of sins and forming unholy alliances and partnerships as we allget caught up in sometimes but acknowledging and confessing them to God.Thereafter there were many moments for evening worship. His favourite hymn wasa Shelter in the time of Storm – Vernon Charlesworth. Sometime during 2018, daddy became bedridden.
Every effort was made to keep him comfortable during theseyears and he was often visited by family and friends, including his daughterCandace, her husband Kevin, their daughter Lauren and her mom Ms. Grant. He wasalso visited by The Hillview Children’s Choir, members of The Hillview Men’sMinistry, Pastor Dr. Michael Toote and elders and Deaconesses who came toadminister Holy Communion and others who would stop by to pray with him. A fewweeks prior to his demise, he was visited by his beloved nieces Mavis and Irenewhom he always requested to know how they were doing. They would be the lastrelatives to visit with him. He was always appreciative when receiving callsfrom loved ones and friends.
On the morning of August 23rd, daddy was notretaining food. Dr. Gomez came onTuesday evening to render medical assistance to daddy. His health conditiondeteriorated from that point. Daddy was diagnosed with Diabetic Ketoacidosis avery serious condition that is known to threaten the health of those sufferingfrom this dreaded condition.
On the followingmorning of August 25th, 2021, a health professional administeredCovid Tests for which he obtained Negative all tests. It was about 12:40 pm when I heard a faintcall from his Caretaker, Liwayway calling me. I went into the room and daddy’sbreathing was deteriorating fast. His oxygen levels and pulse were dropping. Mysister, Barbara came into the room and as we stood together watching him, I wasimpressed to begin singing his favourite hymn, A Shelter in the Time of Storm,we believe that daddy heard us, for as we sang Barbara saw his oxygen levelsand pulse rate increase. By the time wehad completed singing, daddy had taken his last breath, slipping from time intoeternity. His was a life well lived.
Left to cherish his memories are: Daughters: Linda Gibson,Barbara Wilson (Nassau) and Candace Robinson (Greenbelt, Maryland);
Granddaughters: Lorraine Williams (Cincinnati, Ohio), Morgan Anderson(Dallas, Texas) and Lauren Robinson (Greenbelt, Maryland);
Grandson: Jonathan Harris-Smith (Nassau);
Great Grand Children: Elizabeth Caudle & Kenneth Harold Williams (Cincinnati, Ohio);
Son-In-Law: Kevin Robinson (Greenbelt, Maryland);
Sisters-in-Law: Rosie Rollins, Gwendolyn Gibson (Nassau) and Ruthie Henry(San Francisco, California);
Brothers-in-law: Lester (Violet) & Hugh Rollins (Nassau);
Nieces & Nephews: Cornela Johnson, Maud Ferguson, Agnes Moss, Harriet Cooper, CynthiaCollie (Cardinal), Arementa Hanna (Roy) & Family, Alice Gibson, PatrickLevarity, Paula Balfe, Stephanie Gibson, Grace Gibson, Ingrid (Quinton) Bethell& Family, Irene Deveaux & Family, Mavis (David) Rolle & Family,Maxine Rollins & Family (Atlanta, Georgia), Debbie Pinder & Family(Miami, Florida), Joy Reckly & Family, Cheryl Fowler (San Francisco), CoraGibson, Wilhemena Gibson (Crooked Island), Helen Scavella (Miami, Florida), Rhonda Rolle, Cynthia Gray &Family, Antoinette Rolle & Family (Bimini), Sylvester (Anne) Rollins, KirkKnowles, Vincent Rollins (Carol) & Family, Steve Rollins & Family,Patrick (Donna) & Family, Keith (Millicent) Rollins & Family, AdrianRollins & Family, Raymond Rollins, Kevin (Eloise) Rollins. Arthur andFreddie Gibson, Douglas (Rose) Tynes, Lester (Shuejen) Gibson, Andy (Marsha)Gibson, Elwood (Ami) Gibson, North Carolina, Wentworth (Jannette) Gibson, Norl(Deka) Gibson, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Steadman (Valeeria) Scavella, Atlanta,Georgia and Philip Fawkes;
Grandnieces & Grandnephews: LaDonna (Simion) Gardiner, Gregory Johnson, Phenencia (Michael) Bethel,Pedro Ferguson, Renae Bufford, Tina Moss Family, Edsil (Patrika) Hanna & Family , Roy Hanna Jr., Valinda (Courtney)Lazarus & Family, Xanthe Hanna, Nerrisa (Dwight)Williamson & Family,Dawnette Ferguson, Shaniqua Ferguson, Shari Russell, Erica (Kevin) Saunders,Okoye Cooper, Esther, Ruth, Hannah, Samuel & Joshua Bethell, Sharma “Muffy”Fawkes & Family, Deno Wright & Family, Lamar Levarity, Tamasiane(Masceio) Morris, LaQuint (Tavia) Levarity, Joel Rolle, Cheddy Rolle. Andrew(Ericka) Gibson Jr., Crystle Taylor, Anthiniqneko, Leonardo & Javen Gibson,Cyncarreo (Tomoko) Collie, Cardicyn Collie, Jihn & Stephen Scavella, DeNeesha Barnes &Family & Kristy Pinder, Miami, Florida, Cleaton Bain, Diane Bernard andViviane Bain (Nassau);
Great Grand Nieces & Nephews: Khari, Khali & Khaya Russell,Charell Moss, DeNiero Ferguson, Desmond & Pedro Fawkes, Tara & Lorrine Fawkes,Anglique Deveaux-Miller, Reo & DeAngelo Deveaux, Sharma Fawkes Jr., Venessa& Donovon Wright, Cheddy Rolle Jr., Cherio Rolle, Alaina & BryantFlowers, Taelor Ferguson, LaVonne Ferguson, Kirk, Carsyn and Jalynn;
Numerous Relatives & Friends including: Gladys Hall & Family, MaryHolbert, Retired Nurse Edna Ijeoma, Sylvia Tynes, Iris Tynes & Family,Steve Levarity & Family, Herbert Guillaume, Hadassah Thompson, MargaretGuillaume, Jay Thompson, Marie Taylor & Family, Dewey (Patrice) Taylor& Family, Deidre Kemp & Family, Geraldine Sweeting & Family, SylviaAdams-Smith & Family, Elizabeth Moses, Philip Antonio, SheilaSaunders-Ferguson, Helen Rolle, Pastor Michael (Lyn) Smith & Family, TerriAntonio & Family, Ian (Kathy) Antonio, Sheldon (Doreen) Gibson, Edrya(Richard) Wells & Family, Wayne (Judy) Gibson & Family, Solomon(Jacqueline) Gibson & Family, Terrance (Monique) Gibson & Family,Lowell (Catherine) Gibson & Family, Valyncia (Cleland) Gooding &Family, Autherine (Gillis ) Deal & Family, Tammy Gibson & Family, Vanria(Martin) Trotman & Family, Tanya (Bradley) Reckley & Family, ChristineGibson & Family, Beulah (Michael) Caroll & Family, Robbie (Barbara)Gibson & Family, Cyril (Sheila) & Family, Pamela (Issah) Hanson &Family, Robertha (Darin) Knowles Family, Carnetha (Ian) Knowles & Family,Maureen Gibson & Family, Don (Barbara) Gibson & Family, Portia (Steve)Barnett & Family, Lennis Rahming & Family, Melanie Strapp, NicolaSmith, Gina (BJ) Gibson-Johnson & Family, Ulric (Manda) Gibson & Family,Sharon Moss (Maryland), Pamela Moss-Mitchell & Family (Maryland), ConnieTaylor & Family (Atlanta, Georgia), Judy Short (Fort Lauderdale, Florida),Baraka Short (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Loren Moss & Family (Columbia,South America), Daniel Moss & Family (USA), Duane Moss & Family (USA),Ruth Moss & Family (Columbus, Ohio), Daniel Francis (Nassau, Bahamas) and TheCrooked Island Association;
Physicians & Caretakers: Dr. Kevin (Karen) Moss, Dr. J.V. A.Rodgers, Dr. A. Allick, Dr. Holder, Dr. Gomez, Ms. Donna Johnson, Ms. TangelaDavis, Ms. Cornela Johnson, Mrs. Mingo, Mrs. Patrica Rolle, Ms. Rosie Rollins& Ms. Liwayway Caisip.
