Rev. Bessie Lillian Louise Farrington- Dean

Retired Educator Rev. Bessie Lillian Louise Farrington-Dean Age 81 Years of Park Street, 
Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, The Bahamas taught her last class and gave her final sermon, 
at her daughter's residence in Hollywood Florida on Wednesday, July 03, 2024.

She was born at Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, The Bahamas on Monday, December 14, 1942. 

A mannerly and cooperative child, Bess was brought up in a Christian home and trained 
in the fear of the Lord. She enjoyed special times with her siblings, but adored her older 
sister Mae and emulated her in all that she did. Having accepted the Lord Jesus as her 
Saviour at a very early age, she was baptized at the age of thirteen. "Train up a child 
in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Teacher:
Bessie displayed exceptional academic excellence and was appointed as a Monitor 
at age fourteen, under the tutelage of the educator extraordinaire, Rev. Dr. P. A. Gibson 
at the Hatchet Bay All Age School. This assignment commenced her life-long teaching 
career, love for education, children, and public service. This remarkable pupil was so 
determined to advance her career, that she taught herself the G.C.E. English Language 
syllabus and passed with Distinction.  She perfected her craft by entering The Bahamas 
Teacher's College in September 1969 and graduated in 1971 as a Certified Teacher with 
an Endorsed Certificate. This dedicated teacher was then posted to the Hatchet Bay All 
Age School, where she remained until her retirement in 2003, after 40 years of stellar 
service in education. Bessie held various teaching assignments and titles over the years, 
and even returned to the classroom for many years as a Supply Teacher in Gregory Town, 
James' Cistern, Governor's Harbour, and Palmetto Point. She loved literature and reading 
(a dying function), and her shelves are lined with an assortment of books. Her students loved her, 
especially for the candies and muffins, and many of them returned to her home to express their 
gratitude tangibly. Her impact was such that all of her daughters and some of her grands 
followed in her footsteps and are outstanding educators. "Teach me Your ways, O Lord."

Wife:
As a young "Belle of the Ball," Bessie met the dashing Richard Thomas Dean II, her "knight in 
shining armor," and the beautiful couple married on March 14th, 1960. It was her delight to 
prepare his favorite meals and desserts, such as fruit cake, pineapple upside-down cake, 
banana bread, and lemon meringue pie, and her neighbors often received their taste of the sweets.  
Persons trekked to the Dean's residence to have Ms. Dean locate a suitable name in her book of 
Baby Names for their child, and she even hosted the weddings of Rev. Claude and Shirleymae 
Bethel and Earnest and Emily Davis in her home. She was a faithful, dutiful, and loving wife, 
and they had 51 years together before Richard predeceased her in 2011. "He who finds a 
wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

Mother:
This godly, intelligent, independent, sentimental, elegant, energetic, sage matriarch was the 
proud mother of eight precious children: Holly, Ricardo, Carole-Gaye and her twin, Paulette, 
Monique, Brent, Gavin, and Tenille. She was blessed with twenty-two grandchildren and 
sixteen great-grandchildren, and was a constant source of spiritual, emotional, financial, and 
moral support to her offspring.  Despite her own struggles, she voluntarily and sacrificially 
housed and lovingly cared for her great-grandchildren, ensuring that their immediate needs 
were met.  One of her last displays of such support was to join Tenille (Vadie) and others 
on an eleven-hour drive from Duluth, Georgia to Tennessee, to Kentucky, to Illinois, then 
three more hours to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to attend Angel's graduation from the 
United States Army. She just had to be there and gloried in the positive accomplishments 
of her children and their children, always encouraging them to strive for excellence. Mummy 
was dramatic and could create a song, poem, or skit at the drop of a hat. The Dean-family annual 
Christmas concert in her home was instituted by her, and many friends shared in the animated 
and humorous executions that always ended with the Biblical Christmas story and scrumptious 
eats, before her enthusiastic kids violently ripped open beautifully-wrapped gifts promptly at 
midnight, when their dad came home from The Forget-Me-Not-Club. She loved family and 
people in general, her church and church family, travelling, flowers, fruits (especially oranges), 
Schweppes Ginger Ale, hanging out in her yard, and going in the sea. Her kids were politely 
informed to give her what they had for her while she was alive, because she could not enjoy them 
in the grave. It was a given on one's birthday to receive a live rendition of a medley of birthday songs, 
even though Gavin told her that she could just send the recording. Of course, she ignored him and 
continued to sing them all over for each birthday. "Your birthday is not your birthday, until you receive 
Mummy Bessie's musical performance," opined Sheretha. Consequently, it was our esteemed 
pleasure to host her 80th Birthday Bash in Duluth, Georgia with Thomas and Tenille (Vadie) 
under the theme, "A December to Remember," and "all the kids HAD to go." We loved and lauded her, 
and she gratefully, but humbly, basked in the august occasion and savored the precious memories. 
"Her children rise up and call her blessed."

Servant of God:
With all that was within her, Bess served zealously in all aspects of church ministry throughout 
the years, including the choir, Easter and Christmas concerts, Sunday School, Usher Board, 
Prayer Band Leader, and Vice President of the Mission Circle. She never failed to apprise anyone 
within earshot of the goodness of God to her as she faced medical issues from time to time and was 
adamant about praising her Maker while He lent her breath. To this end, she was one of the 
"faithful few" one could count on to attend church events in Hatchet Bay and beyond. A lover of music, 
she loved to sing and was fond of the old hymns whose lyrics resonated with her profoundly. 
In February 1987, Bessie was ordained as a Deaconess by the Bethel Baptist Association. 
For many years, she faithfully attended myriad conventions and convocations in The Bahamas 
and the USA. Many delegates to the Eleuthera conclaves ate delectable meals at her home, 
and some even resided there at her invitation. Feeling sporty for her age, she was delighted to 
accompany Gaye-Carole to the Caribbean Baptist Youth Fellowship conferences in Jamaica, 
Trinidad & Tobago, and Turks and Caicos, led by Rev. Clinton Minnis and gave the side-eye 
when reminded that these were gatherings for "young people." In adherence to the Great 
Commission, she audaciously preached the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ in Andros and 
Grand Bahama, as well as in Cleveland, Detroit, Greensburg, and Miami. In 1993, she was 
elevated in ministry and ordained as a Minister. In 1997, she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to 
revive the mid-day prayer meeting on Thursdays initiated by her dear mother, Rev. Susan Farrington, 
renaming it "DAYSTAR HOUR OF PRAYER EVANGELICAL (H.O.P.E.) MINISTRY." Rev. Bessie Dean 
prayed that every child in this family, including those yet unborn, would grow in the fear and 
admonition of the things of God.  She charged everyone to remember that we all belong to the 
prestigious lineage of Deacon Luther and Rev. Susan Farrington, and to "Be not conformed to 
this world, but live a life so that the world may see Christ in you...You are the light of the world...
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Departure:
Rev. Bessie Lillian Louise Farrington-Dean lived a tranquil life in her community of Hatchet Bay, 
and as quietly as she lived, she transitioned into eternity at her granddaughter's residence in 
Miami, Florida, where she had selflessly gone in early May to be with her first-born, Holly, 
who was experiencing some medical challenges. On Tuesday, July 2nd, the beloved matriarch 
of our family fell asleep and woke up on Wednesday, July 3rd in Glory, in the highly-anticipated 
presence of her Saviour and Lord. 

Bessie is preceded in death by her:
Husband: Richard Thomas Dean II;
Daughter: Paulette Dean;
Father: Deacon Luther Alexander Farrington;
Mother: Rev. Susana Susan Hutcheson-Farrington;
Brothers: Prince, Dennis and Lambert I. Farrington;
Sisters: Jane Willamae Cambridge, Ethel Farrington and Arimena Irene "Mings" Farrington-Ranger;
Father-in-law: Rev. Richard Thomas Dean I;
Mother-in-law: Eula Rolle-Dean;
Brothers-in-law: Carroll and "Lil" Tom Dean;
Sisters-in-law: Dot Dean and Viola Johnson;

The Radiance of this "Turquoise of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her 
Three Sons: Ricardo Sr. (Delphine), Brent Sr. (Patricia) and Force Chief Petty Officer 
Gavin Dean Sr. (Shakeitha); 
Four Daughters: Holly Dean, Carole-Gaye Davis (Peter), Monique Miller (Wayne Sr.) 
and Tenille Odom (Thomas); 
Thirteen Grandsons: Todd Johnson, Althario Rolle, Ricardo Jr., Brent Jr., Gavin Jr., 
Gavaun and Gavan Dean, Nekeito Thurston, Wayne Jr. and Wanterro Miller, Giovanni Stirrup, 
Valentino Hart and James Sands; 
Eighteen Granddaughters: Lashanedria and Petrez Davis, Kadesha, Melissa, Redel, Riccara, 
Brendea and Brittany Dean, Sheretha Sands, Iesha Samuels, Angel Sowerby, Trinity and Serenity Odom, 
Alancha Thompson, Bridgette McPhee, Tianna and Jayde Miller and Kevia Knowles; 
Ten Great Grandsons: Charleston and Malcolm Olius, Asher Bain, Jaelen and Cairo Dean, 
Gaven Munnings, Josiah Ellis, James Lockhart, Jazaire and Wanterro Miller Jr.;
Nine Great Granddaughters: Kourtney Olius, Tariah Rolle, Knova Johnson, 
Bryanna, Cordesha, Meliah and Jaela Dean, Jameisha Sands and Tayann Miller;
Two Brothers: Deacon Martin (Eunice) and Robert A. Farrington (Delores); 
One Sister: Audrey R. Farrington; 
Nephews: Grant Sr., and Dexter Cambridge Sr., Lealand Sr., Renaldo Sr. and 
Deion Farrington, Lucius and Feliche Ranger, Antonio Burrows, Chuck-Barris 
and Navardo Farrington, Steven Johnson, Wendell G. II and Dwaling D. A. Dean I, 
Ronald Campbell Sr., Curry Lewis, John Stubbs, Charles McKenzie, Orentress Smith, 
Clement Neely, Teaco Brown, Tyrone Newbold;
Nieces: Merrie, Tessa, and Annamae Cambridge, Heidi Stubbs, Kera Lewis, Tanya, 
Lathyra and Marcita Ranger, Clementine, Mertalia, Tamazina, Veronica, Kristen, 
and Krizia Farrington, Jaunette Burrows, Sparkle Cadet, Iris Hepburn, Adrienne Johnson, 
Shirlene McKenzie, Lisa and Rena Dean, Eulamae Francis, Zendra Neely, Cathy Smith, 
Doreth Campbell;
Aunt: Barbara Farrington; 
Cousins: Coral Pinder, Doronell Fernander, Curly Aranha, Wendy Wallace, Leah and 
Lena Johnson, Letitia Farrington, Peggy, Brenda Stubbs, Lester Farrington, Florence 
"Shakey", Katherine Gierszewski, Christine Barr, Angela, Rev. Arnold Dewitt Hutchison, 
Sandra Neville, John Stubbs, Gregory, Basil, Emmette, Kevin, Craig, Lynden, Ricardo, 
Garth, Ingrid and Allison Farrington, Myrtis Newton, Pauline and Arlington Sherman, 
Shirley Bostwick, Joy Hanna, Irene, Morris, Denzel and Clint Clarke, Keva Roberts, 
Francilda Cargill, Marilyn Rolle, Michael and Granville Dames, Sheila Arthur, Kenva Minnis, 
offspring of Emily Austin, Shannon Thompson, Prescola Fox, Eulean Johnson, Rev. Cassie Neilly
Rev. Fredricka Johnson, Susan McCardy, descendants of Manera King, descendants 
of Cladwell Farrington, descendants of Rev. Enid Cooper and descendants of Gwendolyn Paul;
Sister-in-law: Maryanne Farrington
Best Friend: Rev. Kathrina Durham;
Mentee: Charmaine Watson;
Godchildren: Joan Stubbs, Evang. Jenny Kemp, Nickal Symonette, Cheaka Burise Miralda 
and Miranda Francis, Claudine Kelly, Candida Simms; 
Godbrother: Charles Bethel;
Godsister: Carmetta Dean;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Lorna Dean of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Nelson 
and Indira Joseph, Kevin, Leahnora and Kevia Knowles, Bob and Cliffornia Rolle of Oklahoma, 
Shevaun Bain, Trevor Beharrie, The Odom family, Joseph Sowerby, Captain Albert Rolle, 
Dr. Francina Thurston, Wilson and Wilne Toussaint, Keith Cleare, Clement Penn, Jeannien White, 
Peter T. Carey, Sherry Newbold, Family of Myrtis Williams, Ellie, Anna Mae, Starlene, Willie, Lloyd, 
Tina, Judson, Pastor and Mrs. Eric Johnson and the officers and members of St. Stephens Baptist Church, 
The Bahamas Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention, The officers and members of 
Bethel Baptist Church, Delarese, Tamika, Patrica, Ursula and Richette Dean, Vernita Gray, Edith Hanna, 
Rev. Marilyn Thompson, Rev. Claudius Bethel, Rev. Lee Carl Sands, The Hon. Philip and Mrs. Bethel, 
Deacon Benjamin and Rev. Charlotte Davis, Mrs. Gwendolyn Francis, Mrs. Vernita Dean, Mrs. Debbie Fox, 
The teachers of the P. A. Gibson All Aged School, Mrs. Florence Albury, Deacon Elmena Bethell, Carolyn, 
Clifford, Mena Ferguson, Ruthie, Arilee Glinton and family, Mother Richards, Hon. Alvin and Mrs. Arnette Smith, 
Jane Smith, Abraham Stubbs, Tillman Bethel, Gregory Higgs, Stellar Randall, Harriett Betty Pratt, 
Bishop Robert McPhee and the Cooper's Terrace Cathedral Highway Church of God family, 
Pastor Henry and Theresa Daniels and members of Cornerstone Christian Center Church in Hollywood, Florida,
 Jim and Lynn Julio of Hallandale, Florida, Marriette Ferguson of Hollywood,  Florida, Eliza Graham 
of Hollywood, Florida, all former students of Rev. Bessie Dean, descendants of Hayward and Ruth Dean, 
descendants of Tiny Lewis, descendants of Eula Pinder, and numerous relatives and friends in South Florida 
and Georgia, the entire Christian community of Eleuthera, the community of Hatchet Bay and many other 
relative and friends not limited to those listed. We the family appreciate and thank all the individuals that 
touched the life of our mother and apologize for any name that may have been inadvertently left of the program.
Special Thanks to: The Nurses at the Hatchet Bay Clinic, Dr. Lightbourne, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force 
and A. F. Adderley Class of 1989,