Maxwell Francis "Mackie" Bethell

Maxwell Francis "Mackie" Bethell Age 74 Years of #16 Davis Street, Oakes Field 
passed away quietly from this walk of life at his residence on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

He was born at Lowe Sound Andros, The Bahamas on Monday, December 16, 1935. 
At the tender age of six months, Maxwell relocated to the Island of New Providence 
with his parents as they sought better employment opportunities there. Mackie, as he was 
affectionately called, always exhibited a special love for family and service which would be 
two of his most valuable characteristics that would carry on throughout his entire life. 
At a young age he accepted the Lord as the head of his life and worshiped and gave 
dedicated service as a faithful follower of the Seventh-day Adventist faith.

Maxwell began his early education at the Quarry Mission School and upon completion 
he attended the Bahamas Academy School. Having the desire to improve the quality of 
life for his family and himself he like others during that era sought contract work in the 
United States. On the contract in 1954 he worked in Fulton New York, Virginia, and 
Fellsmere Florida. While many who started out with him made the decision to remain in the 
United States, Maxwell having a special love for his family and homeland decided to return to The Bahamas.

Being a follower of Christ and having a desire to live as God's word teaches Maxwell found 
that the time had come for him to do as Proverbs 18:22 says, "Whoso findeth a wife findeth 
a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." On a sunny March day Maxwell eyes caught 
a glimpse of a beautiful, graceful yet shy young lady who bore the name Marileeta Melsaida Wallace. 
Being a confident, debonair young man Maxwell initiated a conversation with Marileeta. 
Having the conviction that she was the one God had designed for him he boldly declared to her 
that in 6 months she would be his wife and that they would have 4 sons and 2 daughters. 
Astonished by this bold proclamation, Marileeta found herself immediately intrigued by 
this handsome and suave stranger. The two quickly became friends and their courtship began. 
Maxwell introduced Marileeta to the Seventh-day Adventist faith and she accepted the message 
and was baptized. On a beautiful Wednesday afternoon on the 30th September, 1959 the two 
were united as one at the Grants Town Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their union was blessed 
and as Maxwell had earlier predicted God gave them 4 sons and 2 daughters.

His love for the Lord and his strong belief in his faith led him and his new wife Marileeta 
to worship firstly at the Grants Town Seventh-day Adventist Church and then 4 years later 
they transferred their membership to the Johnson Park Seventh-day Adventist Church. 
Maxwell was a dedicated and dependable member of Johnson Park Church where he served 
as a Deacon for many years, then as Head Deacon and finally as an Elder. "Bro. Bethell" or "Bro. B" 
as he was affectionately called was always eager to offer his assistance with anything concerning 
his church. The Pathfinders Club of the church could often rely on Bro. Bethell to transport them 
to and from the campsite and to the beaches to attend church picnics on his big truck. 
When the decision was made to begin the construction of the present Johnson Park Church 
he worked tirelessly to ensure that this new structure would be one that would be of sound 
structure and stability. Many late nights Maxwell along with the late Bro. Bertrum Sands, 
Elder Howard Barr, Elder Amos Flowers, Elder Joseph Lewis and Elder Daniel Adderley worked 
on their church sometimes until after 2am in the morning.  

In fact, the JP Church is most grateful to Bro. Bethell's for the downstairs multipurpose room 
that we now enjoy. As the new church foundation was being filled to bring it up to the first floor, 
Bro Bethell approached Bro. Adderley and asked: "Why are we filling in the foundation when 
there is sufficient height and space to accommodated additional rooms?  Bro. Bethell's vision 
was an area which can be utilized for Pathfinders and other church activities. Thanks to his foresight, 
we now have a JP multipurpose basement which is utilized for Sabbath School Classes, 
fellowship dinners, socials, meetings and other events.

Mackie, was taught from an early age by both of his parents the importance of family and 
providing for his family. Having the desire to embrace the wisdom shared by his parents 
Maxwell sought training as a Mechanical Engineer under the tutelage of the late Cyril Jones. 
It is with this training he was equipped to perform his duties as a mechanical engineer on 
the Islands of Grand Bahama, Cat Island, San Salvador, North Andros and Chub Cay in the 
Berry Islands. Two of the many projects that he was instrumental in seeing come to fruition 
were the constructing of Kelly Island now known as Arawak Cay and the original Paradise Island Bridge.

With a love for people and a smile that could light up any room Maxwell became an ambassador 
for the Bahamas in the Tourism Industry as a Taxi-cab operator. His taxi plate number was 252. 
Maxwell believed that there were no heights beyond his reach; therefore, and he soared like an 
eagle took flight and obtained his private pilot license. Many may not be aware and to him it did 
not have matter that during the Christmas and public holidays for many years he volunteered as 
an ambulance driver at the Princess Margaret Hospital. 

With his father being a Sea Captain it's not surprising that Maxwell had a natural love for the sea 
and he gladly followed in his father's footsteps. He invested in a 40ft. wooden fishing vessel which 
he gave the moniker the Maxi II and journeyed throughout the Bahama seas with his crew. 
One of his favourite hobbies was treasure hunting for he believed on land and under the sea 
there were many treasures stored away from centuries before. He enjoyed reading and sharing 
stories of treasure hunting with whomever showed a genuine interest. Upon retiring from his 
life on the sea, Maxwell resorted to operating Mack trucks and performed pickups and delivery 
for many companies large and small. 

As with everything he did in life, Maxwell took great pride in doing whatever needed to be 
done without complaint and always found the time to bring a smile to whomever he came 
into contact with or share a friendly encouraging word or two. 

In 1992 Maxwell health began to fail him and he experienced his first stroke and in April, 2010 his second. 
Three weeks prior to his passing he experienced three diabetic seizures which led him to be admitted into 
the Princess Margaret Hospital. He was hospitalized for a week and released and spent his last week at 
home with his family. Being a committed Christian, on the days leading up to his death he expressed 
his love for Jesus and his desire to see His Lord and Savior.

Maxwell is preceded in death by his: 
Father: Frederick Bethel;
Mother: Frances Campbell-Bethell;

The Radiance of this "Turquoise of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
Wife of Fifty Years: Marileeta Melsaida Bethell;
Four Sons: Francis, Demetris, Peter and Ian Bethell;
Two Daughters: Michelle and Maxaleeta Bethell;
Seven Grand Children: Devonah, Azaria, Shandon, Sjontia, Brianna and Devontae Bethell and DéCoya Bevans;
One Great Grand Child: Jaden Moncur;
One Brother: Cyril Lloyd Bethell;
Two Adopted Brothers: Lorenzo Bethell and Edward Rolle;
One Uncle: Elais Rolle;
Mother-in-law: Evelyn Wallace;
Four Daughters-in-law: Melonie, DeShannon, Serena and Shanette Bethell;
One Brother-in-law: Mr. Frederick Wallace and (Cynthia);
Nine Sisters-in-law: Sylvia Campbell of Hollywood Florida, Carolyn Rolle, 
Mildred of Governor's Harbour Eleuthera, Zonia of Las Vegas Nevada, Margo, 
Sadiemae and Gloria Wallace, Dorothy Strachan, Lorna Major of Harbour Island, 
Victoria Wright and (Gerald) of Freeport, Grand Bahama;
Numerous Nieces and Nephews Including:  Raquel and Kadro Bethell, Children of the 
late Rev. James Campbell of the United States, Annice, Edward and Charlene Rolle;
Cousins including: Curlene Peterson, Lillian Miller, Francis Strachan, Maryann Ward, 
Princess Green, Sidney Bullard, Cleverson Bethell of Mastic Point Andros, Althea Pratt, Rita Mott, 
Melvern Johnson, Rebecca Johnson,  Rosie Major, The Bell Family, Richard, Stancil, Ivan, Austin, 
Alfred, Amy, Gaynell, Claritha, Eunice, Maxine, and Rendell Campbell, Francis Smith, 
Branhilda and Zerlene Russell, Rebecca Johnson, Hazel Cooper, Helena Clarke, Betty Nixon, 
Shirley Belazire of the United States, Ruth Bastian, Elizabeth Ferguson, Elvia Bowleg, Beulah LaFleur, 
Sarah Evans, Zelma Saunders, Arthur Murphy, Clarence and Raymond Murphy, Wilmore, Wilbert, 
Nalfred and Carnetta Lewis, Alrena McKinney, Sandra Moss, Samuel "Scoopy", Frances, 
Brenda, Anthony, Solomon and John Rolle, Doris Rolle-Ramsey, Manassah Jr., 
Charlton and Jessica Barr and their families;
Other loving family and friends including: Dr. George Sherman and Mrs. Sandra Sherman, 
Mr. John and Mrs. Evalina Musgrove, Mr. Percy and Mrs. Roceta Miller, Mrs. Ivy Humes, 
Hon. Darrel Rolle, Hon. A. Loftus Roker, Mr. Edison and Mrs. Isabell Miller, Mrs. Helen Hall, 
Bro. Joseph and Sis Clara Lewis, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Evans, Mrs. Mellie Price, Mr. Cyril and 
Mrs. Rose McMillian, Sis. Bloneva Brown, Sis. Ruth Walkes, Ms. Teazel Bowe and Siblings, 
Mrs. Naomi Miller of Atlanta Georgia, Mr. Eudie Rolle, Mr. Jonathan Stuart and Mr. Osbourne Stuart 
and their siblings of Moores Island Abaco,  Mr. Isaiah Rolle, Mr. Carl and Mrs. Jean Johnson, 
Mr. Keith and Mrs. Mable Mayson, Mr. and Mrs. George Knowles, Mr. Winston "Tappy" Davis, 
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Francis, Mr. Wesley and Ms. Deborah Ingraham, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Roberts, 
Mr. and Mrs. Satya Pal Sharma, Mr. Albert Gaitor, Mr. Christopher and Mrs. Jan Pennerman, 
Mr. and Mrs. Calford Hamilton, Captain Johnson, Mrs. Lorna Small, Mr. Frederick and 
Mrs. Cassiemae Curry of Nicholls Town Andros, Ms. Portia Farrington, Mr. Rudolph and 
Ms. Charisee Campbell, Mr. D'Glanville Panza, Dr. Leonard and Mrs. Denise Johnson, 
Pastor John Carey, Pastor Silas McKinney, Pastors L. V. and Wendal McMillian, 
Pastor Jerimiah Duncombe, Pastor and Mrs. Howard Barr, Brother and Sister Stanley Major, 
Brother Arlington and Sister Judy Woods, Brother and Sister Rufus Johnson, Sister Elizabeth Moses, 
Bro. Ian and Sister Kathy Antonio, Mr. Denever and Mrs. Merlene Dames, Beryl, Cecil and 
Winston Wallace and their siblings, Mrs. Patricia Sands, Brother and Sister Amos Flowers, 
Brother and Sister Daniel Adderley, Brother and Sister Kendal Curtis, Brother and Sister Anthony McKinney, 
Sister Paula Darville, Sister Christine Cartwright, Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie, Hon. Phillip "Brave" Davis, 
Hon. Bradley Roberts, Hon. Arthur D. Hanna, Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, Hon. Neville and 
Mrs. Manita Wisdom, Hon. Alfred Sears, The Progressive Liberal Party Family, Mr. Jason Moncur, 
Dr. John Carter, Dr. George Isacs and their families, The Johnson Park SDA Church Family, 
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Family, The Sweeting, Smith, Moncur, Miller, Carey, Bernard, 
Hanna, Dean, Storr, Simms, Bain, Seymours, Stuarts, McCartney Families and the entire 
Oakes Field Community, The Colebrooke, Russell and Evans Families of Andros.