Catechist Clarence Wilbert Thurston

Catechist Clarence Wilbert Thurston Age 95 Years of Bennett's Harbour Cat Island, 
The Bahamas completed his life of service, at his residence on Thursday, August 20, 2020.

Clarence was born at Thurston Hill Cat Island, the Bahamas on Thursday, December 25, 1924.

He was the second child of Charles and Gelita Thurston. 
He spent most of his early childhood with his mother.

A Time to Be Educated: 
Clarence received his education at the Bennett's Harbour All Age School.

A Time to Work: 
Clarence always believed in service above self and law and order which led him to do his civic 
duties as a District Constable an unpaid contribution to the community of north Cat Island.
Clarence was an avid farmer, who always said hard work never killed anybody, he farmed on a 
large scale never to send to the Packing House but to feed his family and anyone that may visit 
his home he always had farm produce to offer them.

A Time to Serve God: 
Clarence attending church with his father Charles at St. Benedict's Anglican Church in Bennett's 
Harbour from a little boy, caused him to love church, and service to God, as he grew and his father 
became ill and later died, Clarence then became a Lay-reader in 1945.

A Time to Love: 
On April of 1961 he met and later married the beautiful Helen Louise McDonald, from this union 
came nine children, twenty-four grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Continuation of Service to God as a Family Man: 
After serving as a Lay Reader for many years, Clarence was appointed Catechist and he along 
with his wife and children would worship at his beloved St. Benedict's. After St. Benedict's was 
damage by one hurricane and later closed.

This did not stop Clarence service to God, wherever the Parish Priest would have service at Holy Cross 
in Dumfries, St. Andrew's in Arthur's Town or St. Agnes in Orange Creek Clarence would've been there.

Clarence remained steadfast in attending church until in 2001, due to his failing eye sight and health. 
Clarence received regular home visit from the Parish Priest who would pray with him and made sure t
hat he received communion. His devoted wife would have daily prayer session with him and sing the 
songs of Zion, which have continued to strengthen his faith in God.

Clarence was a man of great conviction and his belief in God has never wavered, in fact his faith 
has grown stronger with each passing year.

During Clarence last months when his health was really failing, he was visited by Fr. Miller 
who knelt before him and prayed for him and together they sand his favor chorus 
"Be Still and Know that I am God"

A Time to Die: 
Clarence spent his last months, weeks and days was in the presence of his family, his devoted 
wife held her vows of for better or worse, sickness and health and till death do they path.

On Tuesday August 18, 2020 he became very weak, when his daughter called District Doctor 
and explained what was going on with him, he sent Nurse Butler who checked him and told us 
that the Doctor wanted us to take him to Orange Creek Clinic, while at the clinic Dr. Kollie Apparao 
put him on an Iv and then explained to the family what was happening. He was taken back home later that day.

On Thursday August 20th, 2020 at 7:45am while his Wife, his two sons and their wives stood 
around his bed and watched him took this last breath as transitioned out of this world to be with the Lord

Clarence is preceded in death by his:
Father: Charles Thurston;
Mother: Gelita Roberts;

The Radiance of this "Turquoise of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Wife: of 59 Years Helen Louise McDonald-Thurston;
Six Sons: Bishop Rhodrick Brown (Minister Althea), Pastor Markham (Zilpha), Evangilist Alvin (Melony), 
Dorvin (Arejester), Asquith (Philesha) and Shawn Thurston;
Three Daughters: Phillesa Indera Thurston-Rolle (Rev. Kermit), Shantel McKay (Mario) and Garno Thurston;
Ten Grandsons: Markeem (Dominique), Brian, Kristoff, Shawn Jr., Shemar, Kamron and Shantavio Thurston, 
Constable 4321 D'Vaughan Demeritte, Kayden and Kerrington Rolle;
Eleven Granddaughters: Shantavious, Marvone, Tanaz and Astronique Thurston, Shianka and Tiesha McKay, 
Rhotannia Tinker (Gary Sr.), Alnisha and Rhoquithlyn Brown, YuShanva Leny (Oscar) and Kyrah Rolle;
Seven Great Grandsons: Roman Rigby, Gary Tinker Jr., Isaiah Thurston, Rihaime Colebroke Jr., 
Clifford Strachan Jr., Daniel Mason Jr. and Kairo Lockhart;
Three Great Granddaughters: Garinique Tinker, Deziah Rolle and Lenziah Oscar;
Numerous: Nephews and Nieces;
Grand Nieces Including: Rose Campbell;
Two Adopted Sons: Administrator Neil S. Campbell and Charles Fawkes;
One Adopted Daughter: Dornette Williams;
Three Sisters-in-law: Elder Elemeta Rolle, Theora Duncombe of Bailey Town Bimini and Evelyn Dean;
Godchildren: Stanley Knowles and Insp. Preston McCoy;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Bishop Birthlon and Zelma Newbold, Pastor Trevor Strachan, 
Fr. Earnest Pratt, Fr. Chester Burton, Rose Campbell, Bishop Laish Z. Boyd, Fr. Kingsley Knowles, Dede Walker, 
Melvern Pratt, Minerva Rolle, Patricia Balentine, Pastor Vernis Storr, Pastor Christopher King, Pastor Maurice Russell, 
Dwight Rolle, Grammy Olga Wilson and their Families, Fr. Eric Miller and St. Saviour's Parish Family,  The Thurston, 
Strachan, McDonald, Rahming, Stubbs, Dean, Webb, Pratt and Newbold Families, Families of The Late Henry Thurston, 
the Late Leonard and Cremo McDonald, The Bennett's Harbour, Thurston Hill and the Entire Cat Island Communities.
Special Thanks To: Nurse Maria Butler Orange Creek Clinic, Dr. Kollie Appario District Doctor, 
Staff of Administrator's Office New Bight and Arthur's Town.