Lawrence Ellerton John

Lawrence Ellerton John Age 58 Years #16 Bamboo Crest, Golden Gates #1 completed his final design
at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

On the day of April 2nd 1960 God blessed the family of the Johns with their first son by the name of
Lawrence Ellerton John, but who would have thought that this bouncing baby boy would bring such joy,
talent and undivided devotion to the body of Christ and leave such an imprint in the hearts of his beloved
wife, children and all those that knew and loved him.

At the age of five Mr. Lawrence attended Big Pond Primary School which we know today as Mable Walker
Primary and after exchanging schools due to repairs he hence returned and completed his education where
he then in turn attended T. G. Glover and A. F. Adderley Senior High School. His dad owned a farm on
cowpen road and he helped his dad in the daily activities of farming which included tilling the grounds
preparing the soil for fruits and vegetables and also during harvest time he worked diligently with his father
when it can to The the chicken and the pigs and butchering time. He was hand and foot with his father and
truly did his work on his Father's farm in which he was always proud of.

He attended C.O.B taking up graphic design and later went on to BTVI where he took up plumbing and conch
shell jewelry and attended countless WORKSHOPS to perfect the talent he had. He also in his latter days was
top of his class RIVERS INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Mr. Lawrence; even at a young age was very talented. Art came easy to him along with his love for music he
sang with the choir at New Bethlehem from as early as he can remember which was at a tender 8 years of age.

Because of his love for music living a Godly life and the coming of the lord. Pondering the thought of life after
death, our true purpose of living and total surrender to The Most High he was inspired of the Holy Spirit to
take pen to paper and penned his first song.

After attending his first guitar lesson at the age of 16 he was challenged by his teacher to return knowing how
to play a song. Upon returning to what should have been his second class it turned out to be his last.

The passion for music excelled him in growing ministry to the work of the lord. He not only sang but he played
as well in concerts, choir engagements, christenings, weddings, funerals, and-the group Gospel Ambassadors
which was formed in 1980 and in the church where he played on Sundays. He would often be the one to lead
the choir in song even if it was your song you brought that night at practice it ended up being him leading.
When they couldn't get a song right, he would be the one to help redeem the choir. When it came to church
sports everyone waited on him because he was the hardest ball hitter, the swiftest runner, and he moved to
the speed of the wind. He excelled in baseball. He just was a man that always delivered. He would always be
the first one at church that made Janice believe he was the one to open the church. He always was a church
man even after he started working.

As far back as he and anyone that knew him can attest to the fact that he was a very talented person he was
always into art and craft painting carving. There was no medium that he couldn't use to portray the beauties
of this world whether it be with rock, sand, clay, glass, cloth, and paper. Whatever it was he did it effortlessly.

Anyone that knew him knew that God graced him with this talent and passion to do as such although if you
were to ask him his career he would say "I am a carpenter by trade" but we all knew him by another name.
JACK OF ALL TRADES.

Oh yes indeed he was. But we called him by another name. DEVINE ARTIST. He was called on by many
because of his great craftsmanship in carpentry. He did numerous works of art drawers, TV stands, tiling,
cabinets, counter tops, and closets which can be seen and admired in a number of friend's homes including
those of his sisters. Whenever help was needed he was called upon and most trusted to get the job done.
He also did painting, art, carvings in wood, conch shells, ornate handmade picture frames, calligraphy,
murals, and coconut shells you would often find him sketching a new inspiration on anything he put his
hands to such as cardboard, paper, and the occasional napkins. Every day while signing out at work he
would say this is a million dollar signature.

Although you would remember him for such things, you couldn't know about his work without knowing
about his love for the lord because they both went hand in hand with each other. His love for nature brought
out the talents and could be seen in the beautiful recreation of nature such as birds raccoons fish horses
flowers sharks eagles dolphins people landscapes Junkanoo pieces his depiction of the saving cross of Christ
and the dove of the Holy Spirit as depicted in the new Bethlehem Baptist church sanctuary. His beautiful
handwriting could be seen in calligraphies to follow the bus to the house of bread handywork can be seen in
many preschools today kids n action faith academy Lynn's wonderland just to mention a few.

He would often tell stories of old about past experiences with other believers, often quoting scriptures,
always encouraging someone with a timely word to never give up to hold onto Gods unchanging hand,
to give your life to the lord and to always leave things to God because he knew and believed beyond a
shadow of a doubt that there is a God who hears and answers prayer and he never fails on his promises
to those that live in accordance to his word

His parting words were always and the lord will see you through.

He had such a talent that even during a practice you would catch him just sitting down quietly with his
head bent just to himself bunt after a few minutes he would approach you a paper and just walk off and
on that paper would be a sketch he quickly drew of his friends jus congregating with each other, someone
singing or just passing by. He was just that type of person.

A time for love: how they met segments

While in high school he always had to walk over Blue Hill. It was at this time he would cross path with a
young lady on the daily. While she was S. C. McPherson headed north home, he was headed home in the
opposite direction. Although no contact or conversation ever occur this was the first memory how wife
had of him walking swiftly pass her over the hill with his head down.

They crossed paths again after she finished school while accepting an invitation to New Bethlehem Baptist
Church and upon arrival there that young man was sitting down with hands in his knees at the back by the
usher board. A few months later they were then formally introduced at a gathering at her sister's house by
her brother in law. This young lady at that time joined the church and its ministries. It was then one night
after church that she was told that Lawrence wanted to speak to her only to find out that Lawrence was also
told by Tyrone Laing that she wanted to talk to him. Yes her brother in law had in fact set it up and Lawrence
knew nothing of it, but nevertheless after realizing that they were both set up that didn't stop him from asking
Janice if she would like to be in a relationship with him and even though her response was "Me? Chile Ine
looking for any boyfriend. We can be friends but I'm not looking for any boyfriend.

Well folks she mid as well did tell him yes because it was as if she never said those words to him. She felt as
though he only heard yes. Being a very persistent man they were in a relationship for 7 and a half years.

Even though there was turmoil back and forth for them to get married. Mr. John made up his mind that
he was going to marry the woman he loved despite what family might have wanted or said because in his
own words he wanted to have a family, a Godly family, children in marriage and who would be brought
up in the way of the lord.. And he fulfilled his dreams.

They tied their life long knot on February 13 1988. What always stood out to Janice was their wedding night.

Quoted by Janice John:

"He called to her twice in which she didn't come frantic looking about for her clothing but with that third
call "Jen come." she peeped through the door  and low and behold as Jesus Christ lives there she saw her
husband of only a few hours kneeling down with the Bible open. Chile she forgot about those clothes and
only remember running and landed on her knees next to him and that was the beginning of their first
prayer meeting.

And like all things they never started or ended their day with family devotions and he was very persistent
about it because he knew that God delighted in it and he wanted that foundation instilled in his children."
In the early morning of his construction days he would remind his wife before leaving to have devotions
with the children and on a Saturday it would change from devotions to full blown church. His spirit of the
living God would bless us. Sometimes it would be after 12 and even though we would be hungry or thirsty
nothing passed the lips of the children. Hungry? We were praying thirsty we were praying tired we were
praying and praising the lord.

Upon getting the news that his wife would be expecting another child he would immediately just bow
his head and get into intense prayer asking God for strength and his blessings and thanking
God for a new life.

He was blessed to have 7 boys and two girls. He fulfilled his life dream of building (along with his wife,
sons and daughters) the dream home he always wanted with his family on the farm we can all say that
the house was 100% built by his and his family's hand and he was very proud of that. Even after we had
to leave. And oh he loved his children so much to the fact that no matter what he brought home no matter
how small he wanted each of his kids to have if only a small taste. That was the measure of his heart always
sharing no matter small it was which instilled a natural urge to share to this day. There would often be days
when we all sat down and talked, joked around, and join in on friendly competitions. Even as his sons grew
and would even often team up against him and try to tackle him they were not successful and dad was often
triumph against his kids.

That competitive spirit among him and his kids blossomed to the point where the party nor the family
gathering nor youth meeting would start until the Johns arrived. He always instilled in his children that
there was life after death. To get your soul right, to read your bible, to help those in need, and to not take
being a believer lightly. To show yourself approved and to trust God and not to fall into sin. If you know
you're doing wrong repent for the kingdom of the lord is at hand and we know not when our last day will
be so to always stay ready. Even after the incident where his hand went into the machine he was working
with and lost a finger and a half God saw him through he came home after a week and a half and it did not
hinder him in doing the work of the Lord. He did not allow that small disability to stop him.
He continued on in life as usual.

His love for his wife went beyond words, it was so evident. Deep rich and true. They were seldom apart he
never allowed her to go anywhere by herself. When she travelled he checked in on her every morning and
night to find outgrow she was doing, and how her day went. Even up to the last days of his passing he
would insure his wife that God answers prayers and not to worry because he served the one true God and
wickedness will never pay out in the end because God always have the final say and stood by those words
and the many scriptures he quoted on the daily.

During his last days he told his wife that needed to talked to his kids individually and he did just that.
He told each of them what God expected of them what they needed to stop, what needed to be done
and how to make it in heaven and how to avoid hell.

Precious being the last child he would always strive to help her as much and how she need to get it right
the first time even up to the time she told her dad that she had a dream that she saw Jesus and he told
her to read her bible like she is crazy and she saw her her brother (Gabriel) playing with Jesus hand
where the nails punctured through his skin and he told her "SEE. Every time my children sin, it's just
like going through the process of being crucified all over again. For every time."

From that moment on he never let her forget about that dream and make her read every day nonstop.
He pushed his children to show themselves approved.

The last hours of dad life he told his wife

"God is faithful. He is going to deliver on his promises." God said he is coming down to fulfill his promise.
That faithful Wednesday morning he woke up and came and joined into devotions. Janice noticed how
strong and clear his voice was while talking about sending money to one his sons in college. So she sent
a message to that son relaying the message of his father to him and while recording that message you
heard his distressed breathing and she looked at him and screamed out his name called the family and
he was taken by ambulance to the hospital where they worked on him a while.
Then pronounced dead @6:55.

Now we are here today to celebrate the life of MR. LAWRENCE ELLERTON JOHN

THOSE OF YOU WHO KNEW MR JOHN AND WERE POSITIVELY IMPACTED BY HIS LIFE CAN
PROCLAIM WITH FAITH AND ASSURANCE THAT HE IS SLEEPING AND WE WILL SEE HIM
AGAIN ONCE WE PUT GOD FIRST.

In the words of Lawrence:

If the breath would leave your body right now, where would you spend eternity? Ask for forgiveness.
Repent! Because hell and heaven is real, and Jesus is coming.

Lawrence is preceded in death by his:
Father: Benjamin Lincoln John;
Mother: Anna Mae Fowler-John;

The Radiance of this "Diamond of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Wife: Janice Lavan John;
Seven Sons: Lawrence, Mildron, Jonathan, Nathan, Aaron, Solomon and Gabriel John;
Two Daughters: Angel Rolle and Precious John;
Two Granddaughters: Laelynn and Grace John;
Two Brothers: Christopher and Randolph John;
One Sister: Cindy John;
Forty Two Nephews: Vincent St. Louis Jr., Abram Stone, Jamaal Springs Sr., Bazil, Bradley,
Bernell, Bernard, Oliver, Maxwell and Preston Tate Jr., Quinton and Theron Mitchell, Brendan Stubbs,
Parran, Aaron Jr., Quacy and Terell Feaster, Errol Rolle, Geno and Herbert Saunders III, Dexter Jr.,
D'Mari and Durai Adderley, Shamar Sands, Joval and Christopher Whymms, Shrice Turnquest, Gershom,
Tyrone Jr. and Seaun Laing, Collins Higgs, Jermaine Jones, Jason Seymour, Blair, Tariq and Sharado John,
Jamaal Miller, Jarrett and Telecio Dean, Joshua Bethel, Jayden and John Newbold;
Forty One Nieces: Telesa Saunders, Candace Wilkes, Olivia Bevel, Ridge, Tanya, Anwar, Daniel and
Jontae Miller, Sherman and Lathera Johnson, Vinteerie Springs, Asha St. Louis, Berniece, Bernadette
and Kimberly Tate, Antonia Grant, Tiffany Mitchell, Shavon and Rochelle Dean, Latoya Gardiner,
Narissa McIntosh, Faynell, Fialicea, Annisea, Herbince, Anaia, Amya, Aliyah and Valderine Whymms,
Preshea Sands, Gem Higgs, Keisha Rolle, Aaronnette Feaster, Brittany and Kristen John, Julianne Seymour,
Krystal Miller, Jessica Jones, Jewels and Telicia Newbold;
Aunts: Emerine of Birmingham, England, Naomi Brown and Inez Brown of Andros;
Cousins: Randy Devane Brown, Cleveland Bain, Noel and Kamlan Knott of Trinidad, Philip and
Carol Brown, Charlene Williams, Marie Wright, Maxine Lightfoot, Glenwood, Derek and Cedric Smith,
Michael and Dave Munnings, Jacqui Hu, Susan Webster of Birmingham England, Joan Sue and
Illyn Reyes of Ottawa Canada;
Three Grandnieces: Jerniah Jones, Jayla Seymour and Krystacia Alexis;
One Son-in-law: Philip Rolle;
One Daughter-in-law: Crystal John;
Ten Brothers-in-law: Herbert Jr. and Hubert Saunders, Remulas Gale, Julius Newbold, Rev, Tyrone Laing,
Rev. Leroy Jones, Minister Aaron Feaster Sr., Pierre Clermont, Perry Sands and Bennett Rahaminig;
Eleven Sisters-in-law: Cheryl Laing, Lesa Jones, Veronica Clermont, Telecia Newbold, Sandra and
Kimberly Saunders, Diane Adderley, Sharon Sands, Queen Kathleen Rahming, Mrs. Catherine Rhaming and
Mrs. Eunice John;
Other Loving Family and Friends Including: Mfr. Everette and Mrs. Shelia Brown, Vincent Brooks,
Janet Carey and their families, Pastor Judy Charlton Sanctuary of Praise Church, Pastor Melvin Higgins
Word of Life Ministries Harbour Island, Christine Johnson, Rev. Dr. Marina Sands Judea Baptist Church,
Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church, Berea Seventh Day Adventist Church, Oral Ambrose, Mrs. Cher Black,
Mr. and Mrs. Leadon along with The Kids N Action, Bishop Prophet Lawrence Rolle The International
Deliverance Praying Ministries, Bishop Jeffrey Knowles The Love Centre, Apostle Shawn and Idez Stubbs
The Bethesda Faith Ministries International, Mr. and Mrs. Wells The Restoration Kingdom Ministries,
Minister Patrice Edwards The Rivers International Christian College, The Kruger Plastics, Carmichael
Road Union Baptist Church, Yahweh House of Prayer, Adrian Finley, "Elie", The First Baptist Church,
The Lowe Sound Seventh Day Adventist Church, Families, The Bethel family along with many more
to numerous to mention.
Special Thanks To: Anatol Rodgers High School.