Roy Gibbins Bethell Jr.

Roy Gibbons Bethell Jr. Age 61 Years of Williams Street, 
off East Shirley Street Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas 
pitched his final inning of life, at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday, September 03, 2007.

He was born in Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas; on Saturday, May 25, 1946. 
He was the third of eleven children. He received his early education at the Prep School 
and his higher education at Eastern Junior and Senior Schools. After completion of high school, 
Roy was employed at the Board of Education know today as the Ministry of Education.

During his teenage days, he played baseball with his friends from the "Mel Yard Crew" 
of Balls Alley, namely Bryan A. C. Wright, Egbert "Gee" Rolle (deceased), Cyril Mackey, 
Leonard "Pinny" Stuart, Jim Smith and Godfrey Thompson.

Roy's professional baseball career began in 1966, playing "Triple-A" with the Houston Astros 
Organization and lasted for about eight years, where he was teammates with Ed Armbrister, 
Jason and Edmundo Moxey. He also played against Fred "Papa" Smith 
of the Cleveland Indians during that era.

Prior to leaving the Bahamas for the United States, to pursue a career in baseball, 
Roy understudied such legends like Andre Rodgers and Tony Curry, 
during their off season from playing pro baseball in the major leagues, 
causing them to be an instrumental role in his formidable play. 
Roy had one of the best and perfect arms in the history of the game. 
He was good in throwing the ball on a straight line from the outfield. 
Because of the strength of his arm that convinced his team to convert him to a pitcher. 
Roy was good in baseball he had everything, the arm strength, leg speed and the ability to hit the ball. 
This resulted in Roy successfully joining another Bahamian professional pitcher, 
Wendy Ford at the high Triple-A level.

On Tuesday, July 08, 1975 Roy pitched a two hitter for the Paradise Casino 
giving them the win over the St. Michaels Dodgers. Roy also played for 
Bahamian Lumber and Mary Kelly baseball teams.

Roy is preceded in death by his:
Father: Roy Gibbons Bethell Sr.;
Mother: Adeline Elizabeth Knowles-Bethell;
Brothers: Paul Vincent, Willis Howard and Sidney Philip Bethell;
Sister: Michelene Marion Bethell;
Grandmother: Raphalita Wright;

The Radiance of this "Emerald of A Gem" will always glow in the hearts of his:
One Brother: Michael Bethell of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida;
Seven Sisters: Andreé Campbell, Grace Johnson, Sandra Bethell, Marsha Smith, 
Joan Gray, Nancy Deveaux and Linda Gibson;
Fifty-Two Nephews and Nieces: Eugene Sr., Mario Sr., Dwayne Sr., 
Bannerman Sr., Natasha, Geann, Lynden Sr., Edwin, Akira, Anastacia, 
Akieno, Aaron, Laverne, Allan, Anastacia, Sheryl, Calvin Jr., Waydo Sr., 
Norma, Rochelle, Monique, Nadia, Wendal, Wenzel, Mark, Anthony, Rumeal, 
Gary, Neil, Teron, Keva, Kendra, Kevin Jr. Tavara, Richard, Kashif, Renaldo, 
Riquerro, Najee, Rod, Sean, Jauneatte, Anishka, Tjeoma, Latheria, Celeste, Parish, 
Heidi, Paula, Martin of Ft. Pierce Florida, Sidney Jr. and Yolanda;
Fifty-Five Grand Nephews and Nieces: Dario, Eugene Jr., Mario Sr., Shaquille, 
Kyle, Jewl, Jasmine, Giovanni, Miguel, Angel, Dwayne Jr., Bannerman Jr., Brandi, 
Tia, Dennis, Denneisha, Lynden Jr., Lyndell, Lynaire, Lamon, Lasharra, Lyndon, 
Tyquan, Lynnasia, Leo, Stephen, Calvin III, Lateisha, Latekah, Paige, Shanquia, 
Waydo Jr., Candace, Synia,Kadira, Paige, Precious, Devon, Jamaal, Arianne, Lakayja, 
Roddea, Andrew, Kayla, Johnathan, Alana, Ashley, Courtney, Destiny, Jordan, 
Armani, Deangelo, Carlos, Sindey III and Jamal;
Five Brothers-in-law: Edward Campbell, Clifton Smith, Tony Gray, Kevin Deveaux and Eugene Gibson;
Many other loving family and friends including: Bryan A. C. Wright, Cyril Mackey, 
Leonard "Pinny" Stuart, Jim and Fred "Papa" Smith, Godfrey Thompson, Stephanie Dean, 
Edward, Pat, George, Pat, Sherwin of Brooklyn New York, Ken of Rock Sound Eleuthera, 
Merlease, Carl and Police Constable 1122 Godfrey Bethell, Christine Laroda of Freeport, 
Angie Kemp, Debbie Swan, Tanya Higgs, Mildred Taylor, Beryl Dillet, Justice Anita Allen, 
Monique Greenslade, Lorenzo Carey, Dr. Nicholas Hepburn and their families, 
Shirley Street Community, Paradise Casino Baseball Team, 
Bahamas Baseball Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.