Caroline Bernice Johnson-Smith

Caroline Bernice Johnson-Smith Age 83 Years of Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, 
The Bahamas completed her earthly walk of this life, at her daughter's residence 
Julius Street, Hatchet Bay Eleuthera, The Bahamas on Monday, November 02, 2015.

She was born at Alice Town Eleuthera, The Bahamas on Sunday, June 19, 1932. 
Bernice was the first of nine children; As a child Bernice was quiet and unassuming in nature. 
She had a gentle spirit and a caring, humble heart that was often shown in her smile. 
She lived a life of service and was always willing and ready to help others whenever called upon to do so. 
She grew up with her grandmother, Mary Ellen Johnson who groomed and nurtured her into the caring, 
honest, compassionate, hard-working daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, 
grandmother and great grandmother that she was.

Bernie, Necy, Moma Niece, Mommy as she was affectionately called began her education at 
the Alice Town All Age School. Being the eldest child, she had to leave school at an early age 
to help take care of her younger siblings. Her parents knew she was reliable and had confidence 
in her ability to care for her younger siblings.

She matured into a beautiful young woman and one day captured the heart of a most distinguished 
young gentleman from Harts, Exuma Alfred Smith. Many girls had their eyes on him and their parents 
wished that he'd chosen their daughter, but he only had eyes for Caroline Bernice Johnson and was 
determined to make her his wife. They were married on Monday, October 31st, 1949. 
Their union was blessed with 11 children, three of whom predeceased her (Caroline, Karen and Verlincia Smith).

Bernice honored her vows "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in 
health till death due us part". There were rough times in their marriage but mommy and daddy 
were determined to honor their vows. On January 4th 1990 at 7 o'clock in the morning, the love of her life, 
her soul partner and friend departed this world. Mommy was devastated, but with the love of her children 
and grandchildren, she took it one day at a time and lived for 25 years, and 10 months, without her Alfred.

Mommy was a dutiful wife and mother. Raising, nurturing, teaching, training, feeding, ironing, 
cooking and keeping a clean house for ten (10) active children was challenging and at times tiring. 
In fact, those duties within themselves were two jobs, yet mommy worked a full week. Our Mom 
gave all of herself to her children; physically, to the point of exhaustion and ill health; emotionally, 
to the point of tears and mental fatigue; financially, to spending her very last cent. 
Through it all Mommy persevered with God's grace and mercy and the energy sh e got from the 
adrenalin of the unconditional love for her children. She gave of her resources, time, attention and 
her love equally to her children. From sunrise to sunset, she worked for her children. Nothing was 
too good for them. There were many days that demanded a mother's sacrifice and Mom always chose 
to do without to ensure her children had the best of everything. She made sure that they had three hot meals a day.

Like the rest of her siblings, Bernice grew up attending the Catholic Church. 
The family later attended the Wesley Methodist Church, which is now known 
as St. Mark's Methodist Church. She was a faithful member of the St. Mark's 
family offering her time and attendance in support of church ministries including 
the women's ministry. She raised her children in the Methodist faith, ensuring that 
each of them took part in church functions and activities. She made sure that we were 
in church every time the doors were opened. Saturday evening, we had to be found in 
Youth for Christ meetings. Every concert St. Mark's held all ten of us had to participate. 
Mommy often said she didn't care how old we were we had no say in the matter. 
This tradition carried well into our adult years and continued with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

When Susan learned to play the organ, she made sure that she was the first person there 
along with the sexton so that Mr. George would allow her to play in church. Back in those 
days when Sunday School followed the normal church services, Bernice would ensure that 
each one of her children ate and went right back to Sunday School. When Lillard, Keith, Gary, 
Landis or Lincy dare to protest, they knew what came next was the wrath of her iron fist.

To date some of her children have served in leadership roles in St. Mark's. Her eldest daughter 
Susan has held the role of church secretary, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, 
youth leader and now serves as the vice-president of the women's ministry, church's organist and 
assistant secretary. Her son Darrel is the Congregational Board Chairman (CBC) and her 
granddaughter Sherniece serves as vice-chairperson of the CBC.

Berniece favorite scripture was Psalm 23. She would often say that this specific scriptural passage 
provides comfort to a troubled heart and gives direction to how we must live as children of God. 
Christ is our shepherd and we are His sheep. He lives in us and we must live with the understanding 
that we lack for nothing because He will never leave us or forsake us. His blessings are eternal and 
we need only to call upon Him.

Despite the fact that she was unable to finish school, Mommy instilled in us the importance of education. 
She was adamant that each one of her children would receive their education. She never wanted any of 
her children to spend a day out of school. She along with her beloved Alfred did everything in their power 
to ensure we "never missed a day unless we were dying" she often said. She would remind her daughters 
that men would always be there but get your education first. To her sons she reminded them to stay focused. 
When Windermere High School opened, she didn't have it to send Alvin or Susan but she strived to send our 
sister Karen. When Darrel started working, whatever he sent Mommy she made sure to use it to send Lillard 
to Windermere. She never allowed anything to interfere with our studies.

Mommy stood behind her children one hundred percent in anything positive they involved themselves in. 
And it was no surprise that when Alvin become involved in front line politics that she would support him, 
which she did wholeheartedly. As long as she was able to travel, she went wherever he went; from 
Harbour Island in the north to Savannah Sound to Government House and the Houses of Parliament. 
Every House of Assembly meeting, she watched just to get a glimpsed of her Alvin. Although Mommy 
had a love for each one of us, we would often tease that Alvin; her firstborn was her pride and joy. 
Whenever she knew he was coming, she would cook his favorites and wait for his arrival. 
She even had a special seat for when he came home. Whoever sat in his chair was forced to move.

Mommy experienced several moments of pain following the loss of her Alfred. Her beloved mother passed away; 
followed by her brothers Junior and Charlton and sister Rowena. But nothing was more excruciating than the 
loss of her daughter Karen. She couldn't accept Karen's death but her faith continued to carry her through and 
gave her the strength to fill in to make sure Karen's two girls were taken care of. Years later the unthinkable 
happened when her baby girl Verlincia passed away. Mommy grappled with the pain of both Lincy and Karen's deaths; 
an immense pain she carried until the day she died.

Mommy faced many challenges over the years. In 2000 she was hospitalized and it was discovered 
that she had a heart problem. She never allowed her physical challenges to stop her from attending 
church and traveling. She traveled to Langston, Oklahoma to attend both graduation ceremonies for 
her grandson Dehaverlin and grand-daughter Sherniece. She drove thirteen hours from Florida to 
Atlanta, Georgia to her granddaughter Mieko's graduation from University and drove for 18 hours 
from her grandson's Dehaverlin's home in Cleveland, Ohio to Wagner, Oklahoma to witness his wedding. 
Whenever there was a family trip, wedding, event or vacation, Mommy travelled to be there with her 
children and grand-children. She never allowed Susan to hop on a plane without her and Mommy's 
passport had more stamps than the Post Office. Mommy celebrated her 79th birthday and had a party 
in Dallas, Texas with her grandson, his family and a host of Bahamians who came to celebrate with her. 

On the 3rd of September, Mommy lost her baby sister. She felt that it should have been her and not Auntie Mae. 
Her grief was unbearable and her health began to fail even more over the course of the last few weeks of her life. 
Three weeks after Aunt Mae's funeral, she fell and was flown in to Nassau for testing. Her x-rays showed no signs 
of broken bones. Three weeks later she was flown to Nassau again after she experienced severe bouts of vomiting 
and was hospitalized for 9 days. Test results showed a bleeding ulcer, which she received medication for. 
Days before she was discharged, she told her brother Basil that she was going home no later than Sunday. 
She told her daughter Lillard and other family members that she was going home the next week. 
For the past two years leading up to the time of her death Mommy tried to prepare us that she would be leaving soon. 
She said that her ticket was already punched, her bags were already packed and that she was only waiting for Jesus.

On the night of Sunday, November 1st, Mommy started to show slight changes that she would be leaving soon. 
Her daughter Susan noticed something was not right with her breathing and called Darrel to her home to check on her. 
Susan summoned all of the siblings in Eleuthera and called the other siblings in Nassau to inform them that Mommy 
had fallen ill and was exhibiting signs of a failing heart. As they gathered around her bedside, Nurse Assanah informed 
the children that Mommy's breathing had gotten low and to prepare for the worst. As Mommy drew her last breaths, 
she called each of her children's names and grandchildren's names. She then told Darrel and Susan that she was leaving 
and Jesus was calling her home. Shortly after, Bernice Caroline Johnson Smith left this world as peacefully and quietly 
as she lived, and changed time for eternity with her heavenly Father.

She is preceded in death by her: Husband: Alfred Smith, parents: Julius Arthur Sr. and Ivy Arlene Johnson-Johnson, 
grandparents: Benson and Eliza Jane Johnson, daughters: Caroline Smith, Karen Diane Smith-Pinder, 
Melicia Verlincia Caroline "Lincy" Smith, brothers: Julius Arthur Jr., Charlton, Basil, Bazil and Mark Johnson, 
granddaughter: Kissy Smith and sister.

The Radiance of this "Pearl of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her:
Six Sons: Hon. Alvin A. Smith, former M.P. North Eleuthera and Speaker of the House of Assembly, 
Arthur, Darrel, Gary Sr., Keith Sr. and Landis Smith Sr.;
Two Daughters: Susan Hanna and Lillard Elliott;
One Step Daughter: Wanda Smith-Roberts;
One Adopted Son: John Rolle;
Two Adopted Daughters: Lizzie Ann Taylor and Tena Ramsey;
Twenty-Six Grandchildren: Mario (Miaya) and Mieko Smith, McFerris Hanna II (Tasona), 
Algericko Hanna Sr. (Elizabeth), Sherniece Major (Allan), Gian Smith (Gia), Omar, Tezel Smith, 
Angel Smith-Chin (Andrew), Katanga Johnson, Dareatte and Kavahnna Pinder, Kendrick, 
DeAngelo (Crystal), Gino, Gary Jr., Divaul, Keith Jr., Keshawna, Landis Jr., Taj Smith, 
Meagan and Deonte' Elliott, Vershard Rahming, Terio and Ternakis Sands;
Nineteen Great Grandchildren: Mariah Smith, McFerris III, Saniah, Algericka, Algericko Jr., 
Algerniece, William, Sarah and Terrel Hanna, Akia Thompson, Shekinah and Allan Major, Jada, 
Keva, Trinitee and Jenesis Saunders, Sapphyre Pinder, Kendrick Jr. and Siera Smith;
One Brother: Basil Johnson (Carolyn Smith-Johnson);
One Son-in-law: Martin Elliott;
Five Daughters-in-law: Arnette, Cheryl, Paula, Deidre and Christine Smith;
Three Sisters-in-law: Eulean and Lena Johnson and Merlene Smith;
One Brother-in-law: Thomas Smith (Elizabeth Smith);
Numerous Nieces and Nephews including: George Ricky Sands (Lashelle), Antoinette Pinder (Cephas), 
Brian, George Edward, Meritta, Calsey Johnson, Harvey, Perry, Iris, Julietta, Merrel, Arneith, 
Phlecia, Nathaniel, Rowena, Mae, Jennimae, Mcneil, Ricardo, Jan, Clement, Arthur, Nicola, 
Rodney, Shanique Johnson, Erecia Saunders and Ra-nauldo Ferguson, Cephia Moss, 
Antoiniqua and Cephas Pinder Jr., Meko, Kishon, Brianette Johnson, Sharelle and Ken Sands. 
Janice Mullins of Fort Myers, Pamela Watts of Virginia, Frederick, Daniel and Clarke Ferguson. 
The children of: Annette and Paul Rolle, Pearlene and Timothy Rolle, Rosalind and James Nixon, 
William and Merlene Smith, Ceceila and Buster Clarke, Hannah and Thomas Rolle, Rebecca Smith, 
Elvin and Inez Smith and their families. Special thanks to Salomie Farrington, Nurse Orian Rolle and Mica Nixon;
Step Grandchildren: Marvin Bethel, Jason West, Shurlunda Saunders, Kino, Shekia and Shanique Johnson, 
Shavonne Turnquest, Cleo Farrington, Tyrone, Yuwanda and Tyrowanda Roberts;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Cynthia Davis of Miami Florida, 
Mrs. Violet Bethel (special cousin), Mrs. Viola Johnson, Florence Scavella, Ophelia Black, 
Hazel Carey and their families. The Elliott family of Nassau, The children of Lida Scavella, 
Rose Wood, Neutie and Joseph Munroe, Charlotte Gibson and Florence Johnson of Miami Florida, 
Betram, Gladys, Mervin, Ethel, Eddie, Princess, Curtis, Vera, Doris Belle, London, Livingstone, 
Lavania, Samuel, Ebianna, Elkinah, Virginia, Hartman, Melvin and Merle Johnson and their families, 
The families of Tiny and Roy Lewis, Audrey and Bishop Dudley Kelly, Elizabeth and Joseph Cash, 
Virginia Johnson of Lower Bogue, Vernita Ward of James Cistern, Joyce Culmer of Savannahs Sound 
and all of the families of Hatchet Bay Alice Town Eleuthera;
Special Friends and Co-Workers: Carmetta Dean, Patsy Johnson, Veronica Daniels, 
Vernice Francis, Gwendolyn Francis, Rowena Sands, Geraldine Wilson and Judy Johnson;
Special Thanks To: Nurses and Staff of Hatchet Bay Clinic and the Doctor for Central Eleuthera District, 
Rev. David Cann, St. Mark's Methodist Church family.