Daphne Roberta Armbrister-Rolle

Daphne Roberta Armbrister-Rolle Age 72 Years of #01 John Terrace, 
off Wulff Road passed from this life into eternity at the Princess Margaret 
Hospital on Sunday, October 09, 2011.

She was born at Duncan Town Ragged Island, The Bahamas on 
Friday, September 08, 1939. She was the second of eight children.

The descendants of this small island in the southern Bahamas, 
which is remotely and sparsely populated and, according to 
the 2000 census boasted a population of just 72, has gifted the 
Commonwealth of The Bahamas with citizens in important roles within 
politics, athletics, entertainment and business. Daphne was one of those 
gifts, and she was as proud as a peahen when she reminisced about her birthplace!

As was the norm for children reared in the twentieth century, 
attending church was an integral part of their upbringing, and 
Daphne's formative years were no exception. She grew up serving 
in the little Church in Ragged Island, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 
where she learnt the principles of God's word at the feet of her 
grandmother, the late Remona Moxey-Wilson.

Educated at the Ragged Island All-Age School from which she was 
graduated with a School Leaver's Certificate, Daphne then became a monitor, 
imparting knowledge to many others on that island, including some of her peers.

She enjoyed the natural beauty of her hilltop Ragged Island home and was 
very active in her church and community serving in the Sunday School 
Ministry as an organist, secretary for the Baptist Training Union (B.T.U.) 
and as a member of the Island's Choral Group (Society).

As had been the gradual emigration to more prosperous islands such as 
New Providence in search of gainful employment, as a young woman, 
Daphne also came to "the capital" in search of better employment opportunities. 
After relocating to the capital, she was employed by the Hanna's of Union Village 
for a time and thereafter she moved on to The Nassau Art Gallery as a 
housekeeper for the Wasiles. Whatever she did, she autographed her work 
with excellence and it was obvious to those around her that she had special abilities. 
Her commitment and dedication did not go unnoticed and she was soon 
promoted to the position of assistant manageress of The Nassau Art Gallery 
and later to manageress. She worked at The Nassau Art Gallery for 
thirty-three years until her retirement.

While in New Providence, Daphne never failed to acknowledge 
that God was the sustainer of her life and did not forget the 
Ragged Island Christian training of both her grandmother and her Uncle, 
the late Rev. Theodore Wilson. She worshipped at St. Paul's Baptist Church 
and then joined The Mission Baptist Church in the early seventies under 
the pastorate of the late Dr. R. E. Cooper Senior. Sharing all her talents 
in dedicated service, she continued many years of unbroken and faithful 
service to her God; the One in whom she lived, moved and had her very existence.

An ardent bible scholar, her greatest joy was teaching others about the 
universality of God's love through His Holy Word. She did this with her 
natural talents in myriad ways: as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, 
secretary of the Women's Fellowship, member, Cross & Crown Bible Ministry, 
volunteer of The Soup Kitchen, and "No Child Without A Christmas" an 
ardent worshipper at Mid-Week Worship services. She was a fixture at 
the annual Convocations of the Mission Baptist Consortium of Churches 
and any time her Pastor, Dr. R. E. Cooper Jr., proclaimed the Gospel at 
other Churches, she was present in the "amen corner". She truly loved her 
God and her church and enjoyed fellow-shipping with her church family.

Daphne also enjoyed travelling. Whenever the church or her family members 
planned a trip to national or international conventions, the Family Islands or 
anywhere in the United States of America or elsewhere, she could be counted 
among the Christian pilgrims. This was her Father's world, and she wanted 
to know more about her Him and His vast creation!

A quiet, soft spoken lady who exemplified "kingdom decorum" Daphne 
had a quiet yet firm disposition and won the respect, admiration and love 
of all who observed her and knew her, even in passing. She always had an 
encouraging word to give, no matter the circumstances, along with a contagious smile. 
In her presence for a short while, she would always repeat her favorite 
scriptural affirmation from Psalm 34 verse 1: "I will bless the Lord at all times; 
His praise shall continually be in my mouth!" 

In 2009 at the 69th Founder's Day Observance of The Mission Baptist Church, 
Sister Daphne was bestowed the coveted "Florence L. Cooper Willing 
Worker Award" for her steadfast, peaceable, faithful service and contributions 
to this Church which spanned almost four decades.

About a year ago, Daphne fell ill and had to be admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 
which was unusual as she was seldom sick. After undergoing numerous tests, 
she was diagnosed with lung cancer, a report she refused to accept. 
As she took her prescribed treatments, she continued to live with exuberance and faced 
her illness with enthusiasm declaring to others her unwavering faith in her God. 
She lived her life content in her situation holding fast to her convictions that 'God did not 
make her body for cancer' and did not allow this physical setback to keep her from enjoying 
her family and friends. At every available opportunity when her strength allowed, 
she attended church service and activities, and experiences the outpouring 
of the love of family and friends.

Easter and Christmas programmes at Mission were enjoyable ones when 
older sister Daphne and younger sister, Arabella, whom she called "Bee", 
would fondly and satirically recite poems and tell stories of their quaint 
settlement of Duncan Town, particularly those of the "mail boat" which 
was relied upon for transportation as well as for freight and commerce.

Daphne preceded in death by her:
Husband: Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Nathaniel Julian Rolle;
Son: Kevin R. Poitier;
Father: Charles Henry Armbrister;
Mother: Keva Eliza Wilson-Armbrister;
Brothers: Henry, Walton, Llewellyn, Irvin, Collin and Mervin L. Armbrister 
and Deacon Aristachus N. Wilson;
Sisters: Lorraine Armbrister and Felicia Nesbitt;
Grandfather: Gustavouis M. Wilson;
Grandmother: Remona A. Moxey-Wilson;
Uncles: Rev. Theodore S., Aquilla G., Aristachus N. and Neville A. Wilson;
Aunts: Amy A. Wilson-Jones, Arebella C. and Melvena U. Wilson, 
Julia S. Wilson-Bridgewater, Repertha L. Wilson-Lightbourne and Sylvia Bridgewater;
Grandnephew: Police Constable 1272 Leonard Emmanuel "Lenny" Pratt Sr.;
Grandniece: Ruthmae Alfreda "Freda" Pinder;

The Radiance of this "Sapphire of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of her:
Three Sons: Edric and Anthony Poitier and Julian A. Rolle;
Nine Grand Sons: Deablo and Anston Poitier, Vincent and Julian Rolle Jr., 
Garth Timilson, Cleon and Deon Reid, Lester and John Williams;
Seven Grand Daughters: Edrica, Anthonique, Antrice, Kayala and 
Anya Poitier, Audrey Culmer and Doneisha Rolle;
Five Brothers: Bishop Asa G. of Baltimore, Rev. Stephen of Duncan Town, Ragged Island, 
Leeton of Miami Florida, Charles (Nipier) and Captain Lee Armbrister;
Six Sisters: Mary and Drussilla Armbrister of Pompano Beach Florida, 
Rev. Julia (Liz) Pratt, Remona McClain of Mastic Point Andros, 
Arabella Johnson and Dora C. Dean;
Three Adopted Sons: Roosevelt Adderley, Percy Miller and Stephano Smith;
One Adopted Daughter: Vernita Trotman;
Two Daughters-in-law: Tiffany and Angela Poitier;
Eight Brothers-in-law: Demison Nesbitt Sr., James Jr., 
Lionel, Edison, George and Hasting Rolle, Bernard Bethel and Roland Evans;
Seven Sisters-in-law: Jerelene Wilson, Lovely, Maria, Professor Inez of Baltimore, Catherine, 
Judy and Sheba Armbrister;
Numerous Nephews and Nieces including: Sylvanus, Edward, Kingsley, Timothy, 
Bradley, Michael, Brisco, Theodore, Simon, Arison, Emile, Asa, Neil, Dwight, Kevin, Eric, 
Thomas, Alfeu­­­­­s, Demison, Jr., Ricardo, Albert, Stephen, Oscar, Charles, Philip, Cordell, 
Carl, Lamon, Mark, Jeffrey, Larry, Paul, Patrick, Lee, Jr., Walton, Jr., Dentry, Craig, Ashlyn, 
Shane, Maurice, Anthony, Darryl, Collins, Jr., Pete, Hensley, Burnell, Warren, Desmond, 
Vincent, Wendell G. II and Dwaling Dean I, Leeton, Jr., Benjamin and Jamal Moss, Omar Pinder, 
Avery Nesbitt, Horatio Green, Harry Pinder, Edmund, Edney, Geoffrey Bethel, Roland, 
Dax and Greco Evans, Essiemae, Jennifer, Patrricia, Gretamae, Clepatra, Wendy, Lavenia, 
Keva, Kenva, Claudette, Alfreda, Valerie, Iva, Monica, Anicka, Shantel, Stephanie, Majorie, 
Canrea, Jewel, Jan, Patricia, Albertha, Camille, Vanessa, Marva, Coronell, Emerald, Pearlene, 
Charlene, Pauline, Georgette, Carla, Racquel, Yasmin, Coretta, Claudette, Betine, Doreth, 
Petrenda, Vancessa, Maureen, Narissa, Maxine, Ernestine, Jaline, Alva, Anitra, Haysalah, 
Sparkle, Lillamae, Brenda, Melissa, Karen, Lakelle, Samantha, Brenda, Dawn and Margo Rolle, 
Wayde Wineburger and Tammy Wineburger, Chavonne, Avis and Monique Bethel, 
Neville Dorsett and Laurette Miller;
Godchildren: Betty Balfour, Gretamae Ferguson, Keva Williamson, Jan Armbrister and 
Joan Bridgewater;
Uncle and Aunts: Cephas and Maudline Maycock and Mae Armbrister;
Numerous Cousins including: Mae Armbrister and Laurel Munore and families of the late, 
Julia Bridgewater, Rupertha Lightbourne, Amy Jones, Arabella Wilson, Sylvia Bridgewater, 
Laurel Munroe, Emily Lockhart, Rowena Munroe, Louise Moxey, Anna Wilchombe, 
Rev. Theodore Wilson, William Armbrister, Rev. Delvin and Doris Moss;
Other loving family and special friends including: Sylvia Forbes, Ismae Ferguson, 
Ann Panza, Dawn and Catherine Albury, Valerie McClain and family, the Andrews family, 
Beverly Roberts, Beverly Woodside and family, Marilyn Darling and family, 
Vanessa Bethel and family, Dr. Delton Farquharson, Katherine Sands and family, 
the Cheney family, Elder Clement Maycock, Peter and Annarine Russell, 
Commissioner of Police Mr. Ellison Greenslade, Ernest, Greg and Steven Burrows, Deana, 
Katey and Lori Nelson and family, Analouise Fabre, Valerie Dean and family, 
Bernita Deveaux-Hitchman, Kendal Marshall, Theresa Johnson, John DeGlanville Panza, 
Florene "Ma Flo" Wilson, Edmund Moxey, Clothilda Ferguson, The Ragged Island and James 
Cistern Communities, Charlene Collie and family, Peter and Betty Johnson and family, 
Alicia Butler and family, Geneva Rollins and family, Sam Anderson and family, 
The Mission Baptist Church family, The National Church of God family of North Andros, 
Pleasant View Assemblies of God, North Andros, Henson Saunders, Landmark Baptist Church, 
Makkedish Ministries, other family and friends too numerous to mention.