Esther Estell Zonicle
November 14, 1921-February 20, 2014
THANKSGIVING SERVICE FOR
THE LIFE OF
ESTHER ESTELL ZONICLE
Sunrise: November 14, 1921
Sunset: February 20, 2014
AGE: 92 years
SERVICE HELD AT:
Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church
5th Terrace, Centreville
Nasssau, Bahamas
Sunday, March 9, 2014 at 10:30 am
OFFICIATING:
Pastor Hugh A. Roach
ASSISTED BY:
Pastor Leonard A. Johnson
Pastor Paul A. Scavella
Pastor Barrington H. Brennen
Pianist:
Audrey Dean-Wright
Organist:
Eddie Rolle
INTERMENT:
Lakeview Memorial Garden & Mausoleums
John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone Road
Nassau, Bahamas
Obituary
Esther Estell Zonicle
November 14, 1921-February 20, 2014
On the 14th of November 1921, a beautiful baby girl was born to the late Ethel and Samuel Bethel in the idyllic
settlement of James Cistern, Eleuthera and they named her Esther Estell.
At the tender age of two, she came to visit her aunt, Ellen Strachan, who resided in Eneas Jumper Corner off East
Street. Mrs. Strachan and her husband Robert Strachan, a policeman from Jamaica, didn’t have any children at
the time and were delighted with the young Esther. When Esther’s mother came from Eleuthera she whispered
to her daughter that she was there to take her home but the young Esther ran and unwittingly told her aunt what
her mother said. Mrs Strachan wanted to keep her niece and after much consideration, it was decided that Esther
would stay with her aunt. She was a cherished child. Her uncle Robert spoiled her while her aunt taught her everything she knew when it came to baking and cooking. Esther honed her skills while she worked and cooked for
the wealthy and famous friends of her cousin, Ulric Ferguson, whom she travelled with extensively throughout the
United States and the Caribbean.
Esther met her husband George Zonicle of Port Howe, Cat Island through her cousin Harcourt Ferguson and
when she told her aunt about him, she gave her approval. Aunty declared that George was a good man and if Esther
didn’t take him, she would marry him herself. Consequently Esther accepted the ring George sent to her with her
cousin Ulric and in 1946 they wedded at Zion Baptist Church, Shirley Street.
Esther was a dedicated and loving partner. When her husband joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she faithfully followed and supported him. Many times, because she didn’t have a decent church dress, she had to stay home
but she made sure her children were dressed and ready to go to church with their father. She bore a total of 11
children, two of whom pre-deceased her. After the birth of her children, she became a homemaker. Her husband
worked as a carpenter and gave her all his money, except his tithes and offerings. “Sis,” as he called her, knew how
to manage money like a financial comptroller. She also kept an asue, a skill she passed on to her daughter, Virginia.
She was also an able seamstress and sewed her children’s slips and underwear from flour bags.
Esther, through her ingenuity, educated all her children up to the university level. Before they entered the halls of
Bahamas Academy, she had already taught them how to write and all the basic information. She valued education
to such a degree that she would allow them to study instead of cooking, hence her children could never attain her
cooking skills. However, she passed on her cooking skills to her granddaughter, Vanessa.
Mama was a natural teacher. She would even teach the dog and cat to shake hands with her whenever she put out
her hands to them. Having the virtue of patience she taught her daughters, Ruth, Esther, Jean and Belva, to sing
alto and soprano respectively. She left the singing of the boys to their father, George. Frequently she would call the
girls together and say, “Let’s talk young people talk.” Some of her favorite expressions were:
•
“Love ten and twenty but not one”,
•
“The best fish in the sea has never been caught.”
•
“You have to generalize before you specialize.”
•
“Boys and books don’t mix.”
•
“Support your man.”
She was a lot of fun. When it was bath time, she told the children that they had to bathe as they were going to
a pink party or sometimes a white party. Later on they found out that the party was just the colour of their bed
sheets. When her children asked her who she loved the best out of them and their daddy, she would laugh and say
“Oh! Why you of course! You are my children, and he is another woman’s child!” We would break out laughing and
say, “Not true, you like man too much.”
She would always be there during those early six-thirty morning family worship sessions. The children were taught
all the songs, the first being “I will early seek the Saviour” followed by, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” and so forth.
She had a lovely singing voice and could whistle like an angel. She also played the harmonica.
She had a love for children, especially boys. If you met her, the first thing she would ask you was “How is your husband?” Your husband would be offered bread, tart, bread pudding, pumpkin pie, cake or whatever she had to give.
After her children were grown, she travelled with her husband to the USA, Canada and the Holy Land. She was so
impressed with the Holy Land trip that she encouraged her children to go – they did so with Pastors J. Duncombe,
E. D. Clarke and H. A. Roach.
She was a great grandmother. She would repeat long poems for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and
sing to them her special song, “Oh da Goodness in muh Soul”. She taught them to play Dominoes and Uno. Vanessa, George and Jonathan would spend hours under the tree in the back yard playing games and having fun with
her. Her grand children tried everything they knew to make her live longer. Renaldo was the “Contract Maker.”
He made a contract with her that she would live for 100 years with the proviso that when she reached that mark,
they would make a new one. She made the promise but behind his back would comment that he was crazy if he
thought she would live that long. The other grandchildren made similar agreements. Nevertheless, whatever they
said, she would agree with a laugh.
Before she died, she told her husband that she loved him and he replied, “I love you too!”
Above all, Esther lived and died in the sure and certain hope of the imminent return of her Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Left to cherish her memory are:
Husband of 68 years: George A. Zonicle
Children: Ruth Rolle, Esther Vincent, Whilliamae (Mae), Ellen Roberts, George A. Jr-(pre-deceased),
baby Charles (CB) (pre-deceased), Virginia (Jean), Belva, William, Charles (CB) and Barbara Zonicle.
Sons-in-law: Samuel Rolle and Rodney Roberts
Daughters-in-law: Janice Humes-Zonicle and Deborah Duncanson-Zonicle
Grandchildren: Rosalyn & Dr. Ricardo Gauthier, Ryan & Zelinda Scavella, Vanessa Bonamy,
Terrance Roberts, Renee & LaRue Ramontal, Dr. Renaldo Scavella, Darryn and Richelle Roberts,
Addison Zonicle, Christopher and Ashley Rolle, George, Jonathan, Michael and Javann Zonicle.
Great grandchildren: Xavier & Avery Gauthier, Adiah & Ryan Scavella Jr., Josiah Rolle
Brothers: Howard Bethel, Carlton Bethel, Ulric Ferguson
Brothers-in-law: Bishop Joseph A. Zonicle, Charles A. Zonicle.
Sisters-in-law: Abigail Bethel, Dorothy Bethel, Emerita Bethel, Estella Zonicle, Celeatha Zonicle.
Nephews: Dillon Bethel, Gary and Eddison Bethel, Doyle, Samuel, Dedrick and Robert Bethel, Howard Jr, Craig,
Phillip, Julian Bethel, Lynwood Bethel, Glen, Eden, Charles Jr., Carlton and Audley Zonicle, Winston Walkine,
Robert, Roscoe and Roscow Strachan, Nelson Zonicle.
Nieces: Dorothy Bethel, Ethel Johnson, Audrey Smith, Jackie, Marsha, Tracey, & Lisa Bethel, Ruth Pratt, Antonia
Strachan, Donetta Pickering, Deborah Gibson, Pamela Wells, Angela Darville, Dale Forbes, Marilyn, Mellany, &
Josephine Zonicle, Christiana Russell, Deborah Zonicle, Pauline Claude, Martha Minnis, Dr. Samara Newton,
Clavia McClain, Shernell Gardiner, Sheena Zonicle, Wanza Munroe, Ivis Sugura, Lydia Wallace, Lillis &, Deserine
Zonicle, Judith Hunte, Ellen Strachan, Mable D. Gardiner, Dorothy Lunn, Betty Walkine, Pasty Johnson.
Cousins: Hansel Belle, James Belle, Richard Belle, Oswald (Smokey), Euphemia Wilson -all of the USA, Hazel
Carey, Eugie Turnquest, Velma Bain, Eleanor Steel.
Childhood Friend: Marina Dean
Caregiver: Tameika Ferguson
Friends: Lulamae Taylor, Ethlyn Gibson, Louise Smith, Lillian Rolle, Eloise Heastie of Jacksonville, FL.
A Host of Other Relatives and Friends: Ingrid Bethel & Family, A.S.P. Andrews, Victoria Forbes & Fam-
ily, Lester Flowers & Family, The Johnson Family of Navasota, Texas, Drucessa & Cornelius Ireland & Family
of Houston, Texas. Dr. Estelle Laville, Nurse Vestra Forbes, Dr. Ricky Davis & Family, Dr. Lina Reyes, Dr. Robert Roper, Dr. Cornelius & DeAnn Blake of Bear, Delaware, Princess Munnings, Yamisleidy Ramirez, Shannelle
Smith, Portia Barnett & Family, Janet McDonald & Family, Sophia Hart Rolle, Veronica McGee of Lawrenceburg, TN, Althea Tinker & Family, Betty Bowe, Ruth McKinney, Jack Bowe & Family, Joann Campbell, Anthony McKinney, Pandora Smith, Todd Beneby & Family, Harrison Moxey & Family, Teddy McDonald & Family,
Winnifred Ferguson & Family, Joann Callender & Family, Donna Silas, Abraham Stubbs & Family, Teval Stubbs,
Sensei Frankie & Paulette Adderley, Colin Francis, Clint Higgs, Peterson Desmaret, Osvaldo Rodriguez, Adelle
Moss-Butler, Eleanor Black, Muriel Jennings, Marina Tinker & Family, Una Dorsett, Jamel Brown, Pamela Hunt
& Family, Deon & Cheryl Dean & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Peter McAllister and Family of Boca Raton, Florida, Rev.
Randolph Thompson & Family of Mt. Vernon New York, Melody, Marva, Dr. Monty and Margaret Moxey, Vesey
Ferguson & Family, Evenette McPhee & Family, Joanne Webb, Reuben and Phillip Wallace, The Nairns Family
formerly of Union Village, Mavis Charlton, Michael Humes, Ruth Forbes, Linda and Mark Hanna, Cecil Dorsette,
Dr. Cleveland Williams, Desiree Forbes, Kathleen Dummette, Barbara Johnson, Audrey & Carlton Wright &
Family, Kennedy Storr, Magnal Thompson, Sandra Meadows, Tarinda Thompson Rolle, Floyd Armbrister, Trevor
Grant, James Clark, Janis Taylor, C. R. Walker Family, Bank of The Bahamas Limited Family, Jean Neely, Janet and
Frank Dean, Lorraine Hepburn, Arlington & Stanley Wood, Cedric Smith, Melanie Moultrie, Constance Conliffe,
Mr & Mrs Andrew Conliffe, Stanley Scavella, Ena Cooper & Family, Ellias Rolle & Family, Ivy Humes & Family,
Benjamin & Arlene Sands & Family, Desiree Rolle-Forbes & Family, Members of The Freeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr. & Mrs. Freeman Duncanson & Family, Charles Adderley & Family, Stanley & Dr. Ruby Major,
Rory Major, Pastor Leonard & Mrs Denise Johnson, Pastor & Mrs. H. A. Roach, Pastor & Mrs. Paul A. Scavella,
Pastor & Mrs. Barrington Brennen, Pastor Errol Tinker, Pastor Roger Moncur, Desiree Brown & Family, The
Johnsons, Bethels, Belles & Rolle Families of James Cistern, Eleuthera, Maryanne Sands & Family, Dwain Wallace
& Family, Denise Green & Family, Ross & Laura Forbes & Family, Grace Bostwick & Family, Joyce Moxey, Betty
Tinker & Family, Eddie & Velinda Rolle & Family, L. M. Bowe, Barry Vanderpool, Nurse Emerald Collie and
Nurse Diggis of Elizabeth Estate Clinic, Leila Johnson, Symrna Seventh-day Adventist Church in Navasota, Texas,
Grand Bahama Academy of Seventh-day Adventist, North Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church Family, La Senda De La Vida Church Family, South Bahamas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists, The Public Treasury and Staff of the Department of Physical Planning, and others too
numerous to mention.
Please forgive us if your name has been inadvertently left out.
Grandchildren
Order of Service
Slide Presentation
Musical Prelude…………...............…………....................…… Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Sanctuary Choir
Samuel “Scoopy” Rolle
Eureka Johnson
Processional…………...................................................................…….....................…………………………… Family
Opening Remarks…………........................................................……………….......…Pastor Barrington H. Brennen Pastor, Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church
Opening Hymn……………...................................................................….…… How Cheering Is the Christian’s Hope
How cheering is the Christian’s hope,
While toiling here below!
It buoys us up while passing through
This wilderness of woe.
It buoys us up while passing through
This wilderness of woe.
It points us to a land of rest,
Where saints with Christ will reign;
Where we shall meet the loved of earth,
And never part again.
Where we shall meet the loved of earth,
And never part again.
Fly, lingering moments, fly, O fly;
Dear Savior, quickly come!
We long to see Thee as Thou art,
And reach that blissful shore.
We long to see Thee as Thou art,
And reach that blissful shore.
Invocation………….....................................................................…………… Bishop Joseph A. Zonicle-Brother-in-Law
Providence Baptist Ekklesia
Special Music……………..…..……...........................................................……………………. Eddie & Velinda Rolle
Old Testament Reading……..............……....……… Psalm 23 ……...........................................…… Javann Zonicle
Grandson
Tributes…………………........………..................................................................………………. Mrs. Lula Mae Taylor
Mrs. Ethlyn Gibson
Congregational Hymn…….............................................…………….........................………………… “Crown Him”
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall,
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
RefrainAnd crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
And crown Him Lord of all, crown Him, And crown Him Lord of all.
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball;
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe.
O that with yonder sacred throng
We at his feet may fall,
We at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
As I Knew Her……………......................................................................……..…………………..Mrs. Miriam Knowles
Cousin
Pastor Paul A. Scavella
President, South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Music……………………………..................................................................……………..…......……… Zonicle Family
New Testament Reading…….........................…... 1Cor. 15: 51-58……......................................….. Rosalyn Gauthier
Grand-daughter
Musical Tribute…...............… “It Is Well With My Soul”…...................….. Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church
Sanctuary Choir
Homily…………........……………………………….................................................................... Pastor Hugh A. Roach
Prayer For Family……………...........................................................................…………… Pastor Leonard A. Johnson
President, Atlantic Caribbean Union
Family Response…..........................................................................................……………………….William A. Zonicle
Son
Recessional Hymn……........................……..................................................................……………… “And Can It Be”
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with
light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile
Heaven. I feel the life His wounds
impart; I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart; I
feel the Savior in my heart.
He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness
divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne,And claim the crown,
through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ
my own.
Great-grandchildren
Committal Service
Graveside Hymns:
Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
It’s Alright Now
Face to Face
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
There was a time I traveled
A lonely sinful road
Face to face with
Beneath a heavy burden bending
Christ, my Savior,
low
Face to face—what will it be?
But now all things are different
When with rapture I behold Him,
For Jesus took my load
Jesus Christ who died for me.
It’s alright now I’m His I know
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
It’s alright now
For I am in my Savior’s care
It’s alright now
My Savior hears and answers
prayer
He’ll walk beside me
‘Til I climb the heav’nly stair
And ev’rything is alright now
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
No more in sin I wander
No more in darkness roam
The Lord has placed
My feet on higher ground
Each day new heights I’m gaining
My soul is nearing home
It’s alright now I’m heaven bound
Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so
Grandchildren
Pall Bearers
Honorary Pallbearers
William A. Zonicle Charles B. Zonicle
Ryan Scavella
Dr. Renaldo Scavella
Jonathan Zonicle
Christopher Rolle
Darryn Roberts
Charles A. Zonicle Jr.
Dillon Bethel Michael Zonicle
Howard Bethel
Carlton Bethel
Bishop Joseph A. Zonicle
Charles A. Zonicle Sr.
Ulric Ferguson
Scoopy Rolle
Todd Beneby
Rodney Roberts
Acknowledgement
Words are not enough to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the massive outpouring
of love and support that we have received. Whatever you did to console us during our time of bereavement, whether
it was a phone call, a visit or a prayer. We thank you.We thank God for friends like you.
From The Zonicle Family
Repast
The Family of Esther Zonicle request quiet time immediately following the burial service.
Thank you for understanding.