A TIME TO BE BORN
On the 25 th day of September,1941 in the beautiful, serene settlement of Orange Creek, Cat Island, joy andexcitement filled the house as the late jubilant parents (Deacon and; DeaconessWesley and Susana Gaitor) gave birth to the second baby girl out of ninechildren. She was bestowed the name, Remelda but was affectionately called,“Minnie”. Remelda developed as a respectful, helpful, meek, kind, obedient andGod-fearing individual who was nurtured within a christian home.
A TIME TO BE EDUCATED
Remelda received her earlyeducation at the Orange Creek All Age School. During her adolescence stage, shewas then transferred to the Dumfries All Age School due to some of the needs ofher grandmother, the late Mrs. Sarah Gaitor. “Minnie”resided with hergrandmother until her demise. Once she returned to her birth home in OrangeCreek, she enrolled herself in sewing school under the tutelage of the lateMrs.Berdie Farrah of Arthur’s Town, Cat Island. She was excited and elated todiscover one of her niches.
A TIME TO SERVE
Being the oldest child in thehome at the time, Remelda started her first evangelical services along with herother two sisters, Minister. Ephelyn and Evangelist. Georgina. The parents setthe first examples by conducting early morning and evening prayer sessions beforeleaving the house and retiring for the night. Church attendance andparticipation in religious activities were a must within the home, unless dueto an ailment. Remelda and her two sisters, Laura (now deceased) and MinisterEphelyn left the island in the late sixties to seek employment. She became aCaretaker for numerous clients. Moreover,while travelling abroad, both she and Minister Epheyln continued to evangelizeand proclaim the word of God. Wherever Remelda went, she shared and exhibitedher Christian experience. Her main goal was to let individuals know that “….thewages of sin is still death but the gift of God is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)”We could reminisce her voice saying, “I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand inthine, I’ll go where you want me to go. My voice shall echo thy message sweet.I’ll say what you want me to say.”
A TIME TO BE MARRIED
Remelda left herparents in search of a new life in Nassau. She would always use the phrase, “I have to make page of my age.” She later met and married the love of herlife Brenwill J Hanna on the 27th of October 1968 and became amember of the Church of God of Prophecy at Minnie Street. This union was blessed with six (6) beautifulchildren plus one (1) beautiful stepdaughter. Deaconess Julia Ann Thompson (pre-deceased),Patricia Marie Hanna (pre-deceased), Brenwill Jr, Suzette, Kendall, Janet andJovette Hanna. Remelda did not wait foran official Minister’s licence from her church because her daily mindset andwords were (John 9:4) I must workthe works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no mancan work. Even after migrating to Nassau, Remelda was a regular contributor atstreet meetings and church services. Sheserved in the Women’s Ministry Department, a member of the Intercessory Teamand ministered in the sanctuary choir. She would visit the hospital often to pray with the sick and leaveministry material with them, inviting them to accept Jesus Christ as Lord andSavior. Remelda would also share fondmemories of rooming with fellow sisters during the National Ladies Retreats,One of her favorite songs was, “Jesus is all the world to me” and one of herfavorite scriptures, “(Psalm 124:1)The earth is the LORD's, and the fullnessthereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
A TIME TO WORK
Remelda was adomestic worker and housekeeper in her early life until the year 2014. She had various employers and they wouldoften sing her praises. Her lastemployer would check in on her periodically even after her retirement becauseof the impact she made on their lives and contribution given towards raisingthe children who are now all grown up. (Ecclesiastes 9:10) states “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, norwisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Remelda did just that. She madesome of the best homemade bread and she was an excellent cook, and often sharedher gift with her children especially her daughters. Bread would often be sent to persons thatwere in need or just as a love gift from Remelda’s kitchen.
A TIME TO DIE
“If we believe thatJesus died and rose again, even so, those that also sleep in him will God bring withHim.”
On Sunday,January 28th 2024 during a praise prayer and worship session thatwas often held by her daughters at her home Remelda lifted her hands in praiseand worship to her God. She let out anaudible “Thank You Jesus” She spoke to each of her grandsons that resided withher and admonished them to “remember what she told them”. Tuesday, February 6th, 2024 ended the sojourn onearth for Remelda Hanna. She departedvery quietly from earth to glory. If she were to respond to us at this moment,most likely she would say as Saint Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I havefinished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me acrown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give on thatday.” Special commendations are extendedto Ministers Neville Gray and Lynden Rahming that came by religiously toadminister Communion and the seniors and Prayer Ministry that would come by ata moment’s notice to pray and celebrate milestones with Remelda from time totime. For her children that attended toher well visits and all matters. ForSuzette her personal caretaker. ASpecial reward awaits you all in Heaven.
Left to cherish her fond, respectful, kind and prayerfulmemories are:
Her Loving Husbandof 55 years Minister Brenwill J Hanna sr.
Three (3) Daughters: Ministers Suzette and Janet Hanna and JovetteSinclair
Two (2) Sons: Lay Minister Brenwill Jr, and Kendall Hanna
Two (2) Daughters –in-Law: Lay Minister Perline Hanna and Ava Hanna
One (1) Son – in Law LayMinister Don Sinclair
Four (4) Adopted Daughters: Raquell Arnette, Shonah Bastian, JodieJohnson and Leslie Stubbs.
One (1) Adopted son: Jason McDonald
Grandchildren: Shavonne,Kendisha, Kendia and Kendrick Hanna, Jayden and Jordan Charlton, Don Jr,Joia-Marie and Josiah Sinclair. LatoyaThompson, Krisanna Deveaux, Felicia and Gregory Thompson Jr.
Great Grand Children:Antoinette, Kristina, Jerounto (deceased), Deangelo, Alfred Jr, Avardo, Avahand Romere.
Great-Great Grandchildren:Alexis and Sidnique Serenity, Bryson Sa’Riyah, Khyrie, Kayden
Siblings:Minister Ephelyn Neely, Evangelist Georgina Beneby, Minister Isabella HepburnJ.P, Minister Diana Burrows, Ministers John Wesley II (Joyce) Gaitor InspectorDorothy Smith
Sisters -in- Law:Carmetta McBain, Lynn Marie Hanna, Uris Mae Nottage, and Lenor Williams
Brothers –in-Law: Brady and Michael Hanna, Isaiah Nottage, PhillipSmith and Sherlen Williams.
Nieces: Cheryl Williams, Roshanda Neely, Dr. Lakeisha Hepburn, Dr.Philandra and Dr. Deandrae Smith, Sarah Gaitor, Betty Deveaux, Reetta Ferguson,Janet Hepburn, Rosa Harris, Valerie Pernell, Vinette Kennedy, Portia Glinton., Wendy,Esther, Dale Hanna and Colette Dean.
Nephews: C.M David (Iona) Stubbs, Roger Williams, ChiefSuperintendent Rodney (Vistna) Williams, Chief Superintendent Marcus (Sgt. 2022Natasha) Williams, Inspector Donnavon (Shanice) Smith, Joshua Beneby, ASP Davon(Kayla) Stubbs, Vaso (Kendice) Neely, John Wesley Gaitor III, Minister DanaBurrows, Gladstone Jr Katurah (Burrows), Desmond Sr. (Gazna) Gaitor, TomicaGaitor, Clifford Bain, Calvin (Aretha) Hanna, Esley, Denver and Andre Hanna, andAndy Miller.
Numerous Grand Nieces and Grand Nephews too numerous to mention and ahost of
Other Relatives & Friends including: Pastor Peter andOralee Hanna and family, Richard and Mable Newbold, Enith Thompson, AlphonseCambridge, Paula Williams, Preston Kemp, Avis Gibson, Fred and; Janet Thompson,Terrance and Betty Moss, Rosemary Newbold, Otherrelatives of Dunfries and OrangeCreek, Cat Island, The Rolle Avenue family, The Rosedale and Apple StreetFamily, The Durham Street Centerville Family, The Church of God of Prophecy Minnie StreetFamily, The Palm Tree Avenue Church of God of Prophecy Family, The CableBahamas Aliv Fibr and Technical OpsFamily, The Patton Family, Oral Ferguson and family, Bishop Rudolph McKinneyand Family, Clement Fox and Family, Neville Gray and Family, The CunninghamFamily, Lay Minister Lynden Rahming and Family Bishop Hulan Hanna and Family,The Pinder Family – Retired Nurse Yvonne Clarke, Police Superintendent DiannaRussell & Nurse Sandra White.
Please forgive us if your name isnot seen here, it was not intentional.
