“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) KJV
He was a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, a father and a grandfather but most importantly, he was a child of God.
Love was in the air, on February 18, 1966 when the late Cecil and Sylvia (both deceased) in the quaint settlement of South Mastic Point Andros (called the “Bight”), welcomed a bouncing baby boy into the world whom they named Wavel Andy Saunders. He was the Seven of ten siblings and in his early years was reared under the loving care of his paternal grandparents, Theophilus and Edith Saunders (both deceased).
He grew up and obtained his early education at the then Mastic Point Primary School (now the Rozelda Woodside Primary School) and then onto the North Andros High School. There he received the fundamental principles to prepare him on how he would later provide for his family. Upon his graduation from North Andros High School Wavel was reunited with his mother where he lived for a while and gained employment with his oldest brother on Evans’ Farm operating the farming tractors.
In 1988 Wavel moved to Nassau seeking a different career path in life. Shortly after moving to Nassau, he obtained gainful employment in the construction field beginning with carpentry and then on to masonry where he remained up to the time of his brief illness. In October 2022 Wavel began complaining of severe back pain and was hospitalized at the Princess Margret Hospital for a few weeks. He was trying his endeavor best to recover and was re-admitted to Accident and Emergency a few times for treatment.
He had a big heart and a strong caring spirit for his family and this extended far beyond just blood family. He was a joy to work with and had a quiet encouraging demeanor. Wavel was a devoted father who was proud of his children’s accomplishments and he worked hard to provide for them and his mom whilst she was alive. Whatever his children’s accomplishments was he would ensure that the family was kept updated by posting it in our family WhatsApp Group Chat (especially Krystal’s - his baby girl).
Over the years, Wavel’s respect and care for his siblings was showed in his behavior toward them. He never called his siblings by their given names. The siblings who were older than him were addressed as ‘Big bro’ or ‘Big Sis”, not because of their size and the younger ones was his ‘Lil sis’ (if truth be told before he became ill he was the biggest of them all in size).
He left this world the way he lived in it – at home and quietly. In the early morning hours of May 26th, 2023, the Lord of hosts looked down upon his child and said “Your work on earth is completed and I will give you rest from your aches and pain’ and decided to call him home.
Left to cherish his memories are his children: Sons: Wavel Jr., Wayman and Anton Saunders,
Daughters: Tammiea T.C., Nicquoya and Krystal Saunders.
Granddaughter: Brea Mackey (Papa’s baby)
Brothers & Spouses: Bishop Caleb (Elmira) Evans, Walter (Gail) & Warren (Marvelyn) Saunders
Sisters & Spouses: Rev. Susanna (Rev. Kendal) Mackey, Leanna Simms, Eula (Arlington) McIntosh Myrtis Oliver, Michelle Moss & Clarinda (Jacob) Armbrister.
Nephews and Nieces: Joel & Gareth (Gaycia) Evans, Akeem (Winter) Oliver, Kenlexis, Garvier (Sabrina) & Kenyon Mackey, Lynburth, Chavanna & Navarro (Valencia) Oliver, Philip, Geraldo & Shanton Simms, Calvanell Oliver, Shakita (Dominic) Albury, Rupert Jr., & Runisha Moss, Peter Demeritte & Jordan Armbrister, Kenya (Robert) Taylor, Vanessa (Arlington) Fowler, Dorian McIntosh, Ray, Alexis, Warren Jr. (Sandy), Margaret, Juanita, Juan & Juwan Saunders.
One Aunt: Sunkin Mackey;
Grand Nieces & Nephews: Kirnechia, Deleanna, Alexander, Lynique, Chanece, Lynburth, Nathan, Kenley, Kaden, Leano, Geraldo, Gernae, Philicia, Navarro, Shamar, Elisha, Kentinque, Albernisha, Keniesha, Dylan, Rudolph, Jasmine, Sanaa, Alayah,Kayden, Joel Jr., Javon, Aviah, Aidan, Nicarlo & Asher.
Cousins: Gloria Evans, Julia Hanna, Harrieth Martin, Catherine Storr, Zelia Butler, Brenda Adderley, Angela Mackey, Prince (Zilpha), Randolph, Hubert, James, Jr., Rudolph Mackey, Harold Miller, Charles Fowler, Anthony Conyers, Edward, Dwight & Ron Deveaux, Rev. Garnet Campbell, Locksley, Oscar, Basil, Melony, Wayne, Rodney, Cindy, Irene, Rochelle, Nicole, Valderine, Yvonne, Bernard Jr. Wendell, Darnell, Sabrina, Latario, Damian, Dwayne, Spurgeon & Heath.
A Host of Other Relatives & Friends Including: Carla Munnings (Shakeno & Carlexia), Tanya McKinney (Chrysalis), Karen McKinney (Krystina, K’Vonne, & K’Sidra), Shavonne Wilson (Patricia & Hestiny), Felicia Russell, Cedric Curry, Angie Rolle, Felix McPhee, Jay Williams, Dr. Burnell Cardon, Penny Rolle (Annie), Johnson Telismar, The Entire community of North and South Mastic Point Andros, Erma Colebrooke & Family, Bishop Dennis Taylor & Family, Veronica Bowleg & Family, Venus Martin, Minister Rozelda Woodside & Family, Garnard & Latisa Burnside, Samuel & Jonell Johnson & Family, Diana Cumer & Family, Kenderlyn Minnis, Bethshan Jules, Church of God of Prophecy Carmichael Road Family, Smith Chapel AME Zion Church Family, Shaw Temple AME Zion Church Family, Living Waters Church of God Family One & Two Family, St Bernard ‘s Lodge #18 & Other relatives and friends too many to mention.
