Untitled - Bodden Funeral Services

Musical Prelude
Opening Remarks ........................................................................................Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Hymn “Farther Along”..................................................................................................Congregation
Prayer ........................................................................................................................Pastor Henry
Scripture Reading Thessalonians 4:16-18..............................................................Mr. Norman Williams
Message from West Bay SDA Church.......................................................................Mr. William Ebanks
Tributes from:
Mother...................................................................................................................Mr. Durrick Bush
Father...........................................................................................................................................
Special Song from Sisters ...........................................................................“Missing You” by Brandy
Sisters & Brothers................................................................................................Ms. Ceretta Harvey
Grandmother..........................................................................................................Mr. Durrick Bush
Aunts, Uncle & Cousins..................................................................“Precious Memories” Mr. Rudy Miles
Obituary .....................................................................................The Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP
The Premier
Video Tribute from Family....................................................................................Ms. Ceretta Harvey
Sermon .......................................................................................................Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Prayer For The Family....................................................................................Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Closing Hymn “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me”................................................ Congregation
Echard McLaughlin III
Owen McLaughlin
Dale Ebanks
James McLaughlin
Nicholas McLaughlin
Lindsley McLaughlin
Jonathan Bush
Jordan McLaughlin
Ransdale Rankin
Peter Campbell
Deward Bush
Pascal Pernix
Carson Bush
Gilbert McLaughlin
Devaney Solomon
Darion Molina
Benigno McLaughlin
Christopher Gourzong
Overton Berry Jr.
Dawson Whittaker
Moses Bush
Ike Bush
Tommy Bush
Mike Bush
Daniel McLaughlin
John Wilson
Ricardo Forbes
Michael Bush
Kenroy Anderson
Ms. Chelsea Rankin
Ms. Nikki Sandoval
Ms. Lanisha McLaughlin
Mrs. Carol Best-Gould
Eziethamae Bodden MBE
Ms. Rachael Ebanks
A daughter is a jewel, often a mother’s best friend, her ally and her most precious treasure. I was blessed with four daughters, but today I mourn the loss of one and now a piece of me is gone, but today we celebrate the life of my daughter Kimberly as her spirit still
lives on.
Frequently we’ve been hearing that one is supposed to bury their parents and not their children. But times have changed and we as
parents need to continue to play an integral part in our children’s lives.
My dear daughter Kim, I ponder what to write in such a short summary of our life together but if only I could hear your sweet voice
again, to hear all about how you spent your day and what you was going to do next.
I remember when you were born, a healthy baby girl with a head full of hair, blazing those dark eyes right at me with a look of trust and
I stared in pride as your mother. Willing and ready to protect you the best I could from all and any harm that would try to come your
way. My heart was filled with more and more love as I watched you grow up into the beautiful young lady that you became. Though no
matter how much love I had for you, God loved you more.
So here you are today, where I have to say goodbye to you my precious Kim but I know that someday we will meet again. Such a rare
and precious jewel, there could be no other such as you. I will miss you dearly and may God continue to make me stronger every day
as I continue to keep your spirit alive in my heart.
Rest now my darling Kim, until we meet again.
Love Mom
My sister Kim was a precious star who’s twinkle went out too soon, she was a unique star different from all the rest, I have no words
that can
describe her kind spirit and soul, she loved her Nieces and Nephews, she loved all animals big or small. She may not have had much
but she made the most of what she did have.
There is nobody like my sister, there is no one more creative, there is no one more thoughtful, no one more loving, no one more
caring, and most importantly there is no one more unique than her.
I will miss that fun, cheerful, quirky voice and attitude, I hardly ever saw her angry when I was around her, I enjoyed her company as
she enjoyed mine. She was never bored, she always found something to do, whether it was to go outside and count the pedals or to
turn her dog food into a meatball so that the dog could bite chunks out of it and easily finish it. She loved art, she would draw many
things, she would teach me sometimes and I would draw with her.
My darling sister loved many and was loved by many and now she will be missed by many. I will dearly miss her too.
From your little brother Javon.
Kimberly’s Mother and I could never have asked for a more wonderful baby. Everything she did made us so proud of her. From her earliest days at
home, sleeping soundly through the night, to her last moments here with us, she made us the luckiest parents on Earth, because this relationship
was a two-way street, she learned from us and we learned from her.
Kim always had such a thirst for life. As a child, she would run home from school after learning something special, and immediately devote her entire
time to it. I remember when she was in the 3rd grade and her teacher, Mrs. Miller, taught the class about dinosaurs. Kim came in through that door
like a tornado, wanting to learn everything she could about dinosaurs. I took her to the local Public Library where she saw life like replicas in the
books. I will never forget the look on her face that day. Those look that only an enthusiastic child can give. I was so excited for her new found
passion and there and then, her lifelong desire to work with animals began.
This thirst for life only grew. As Kim became an adult, she found her calling with animals. Her whole life she hungered for knowledge and how she
wanted to give her love to unfortunate and sick animals. She devoted so much time to these animals, and she loved every minute of it. Kim was
so content with her position in life. That made her Mother and I so happy.
One day she saw a cat with a little bird in its mouth, she ran down the cat and took the bird away. She cared for the bird and mended its broken leg.
It was a nightingale that had falling from its nest. She put its cage at the window and the baby’s bird mother would come and feed it through the
window. She destroyed a pillow just to get the cotton to make a nest in a soup-bowl for the bird and kept it warm with her sweater, when the bird got
better it would stand on Kim’s computer and watch her on the internet, (see a picture of the bird in the program). Kim had a house full of animals, she
had two dogs, 18 chickens that she rescued; one hamster that only has three legs, one cat, and numerous fishes.
She also adored her family. Her Sisters and Brothers were the light of her life. She also wanted to be a mother and have children of her own;
however, until then, she would tell her friends and sisters how to raise their own children, how to teach them and love them and they dare not
responded because Kim knew it all. She did endless research on the internet about children and the experiences other Mothers went through. She
wanted to teach her children everything she had learned, and she hoped that they would have the same thirst for life as she did.
Kim and I shared every minute we could together; after all, she was the Baby, the love we shared I will forever hold dearly. She told me after I
remarried that if I was to have more children, she would still be the Baby. Whenever Kim went out with friends and she did not feel comfortable with
them driving her home or if she just needed a ride home, this could be two or three in the morning, she would call me and I would get out of my bed
to go and get her where ever she was.
Kim and I would talk for hours at a time, because I was always so interested in her conversations, about life, the new things she research on the
internet, the next dog she wanted and any challenges she was going through. We had such a bond that even her most personal secrets she would
share with me.
I remember telling her long ago that I wanted to learn to play the guitar and on Kim’s first pay check, she bought me a guitar and told me that we both
would learn how to play it because when I got old she would play my favorite songs on it for me.
Last Christmas Kim give me a Christmas gift that I will cherish for the rest of my life. She told me that she wanted some bees wax and food coloring;
I had no idea what she was going to do with it. She melted the wax, added the food coloring and her favorite perfume and made a personal scented
candle for me. She also painted a picture 2 ½” X 2 ½” for me, (it is added to the back of the program). It was the attention to personal detail that made
her stand out. Kimberly was a very special child and I love her so much.
I am trying my best to remain positive. Even death can be viewed in a positive manner. I have found some comfort in Henry Scott Holland, who was
a professor of divinity at Oxford University. His outlook on death is soothing to me. He said: “Death is nothing at all-I have only slipped away into
the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy
way you always used. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile,
think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life
means all that it ever meant…There is absolutely unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because
I am out of sight? I am waiting for you-for an interval-somewhere near just around the corner”.
I remember one weekend when she was about 12; I told her that I could not come for her that Sunday as I was going to a funeral. She told me,
“Daddy, come and get me because if you are going to that funeral I am coming too just to be with you”. I took a picture with her that day just to
remember that special day. It is a picture in the program with both of us in black. Today, she is again with me in a funeral and this time, I am here,
just to be with her. I will have to stop now because I cannot see to write anymore through all these tears.
Kim, I love you, and I will always miss you. But you will always be in my mind and heart. I will still speak to you and laugh with you. I will call you by
your old familiar name. Daddy was always so proud of you. You will be in my heart forever.
I love you,
Daddy.
Kim,
we hoped to have been writing you an email or a funny card to hear about your newest adventures and plans in London, instead we sit in disbelief writing our tribute to you our dear sister.
You were creative and innovative, nothing close to ordinary. Our most recent and latest discussions, which you expressed so much interest in, was
moving to London because it was somewhere far and somewhere that you’ve never been, it was the place you felt that you could expand your knowledge and get to know more things about the world. You made extra sure to find a safe home for your chickens then you were making preparations for
all your other pets, little did they know you would be gone without saying goodbye.
You were the most caring and soft hearted individual, and had a really fun and cheerful spirit. You would always come running through the door with
some caring advice about how to care for the kids or the best techniques for raising them or teaching them how to eat, walk or talk. When you had
them they were always happy with you because you knew exactly how to keep them giggling and on their best behavior just like a trusted auntie would.
Adventure was your thing, you would always find some of the most courageous things to do. Your exploratory sense of style was never on the basic
but more of the “what have no one done before”…. sometimes we would wonder, “How does she know about all of this” but I guess your free time was
never free time. You made sure you knew a lot about the world and our family history. You were always able to tell us more than we thought we knew.
So for that reason we dare not hold an argument with you because we knew we would not win!
Kim, we knew you were leaving soon, but we never knew it would be like this. If only we knew just how short your time here was with us, we would
have done so many more things with you, said so much more “I love you’s”, and made tons more exciting memories with you. But we are at ease
knowing that we had 23 years of memories to preserve as your brothers and sisters.
Your quirky baby voice and beautiful soul will never be forgotten. We will be sure to remember you in every animal that we bring into the family, every
plant we harvest in our yards, every birthday celebration plan and any plans we will make to travel. Because you would want to attend and contribute to
them all.
We have witnessed the grief-stricken families who have lost loved ones, but we took it for granted that anything like this could happen to us. You just
won’t know until it happens to you, now it has and we are heart-broken.
A lesson learnt from you is to always live our life to the fullest and spend time with the ones we love and cherish the most. There would never be
enough time or paper if we were to put it all in writing, so here we will end our tribute to you, Kim our dear sister, we will forever love and miss you. May
you rest in peace.
Love - Tonya, Jonathan, Kari, Chelsea and Javon.
Dear Kimberley,
I am so sorry I am not here today to say my last fair well to you, my Love.
It seem like yesterday that I started working with your Mother Sandra and you as a small girl. I can still remember you not loving food. Milk and white
bread was your favorite.
One day I cooked what we called season rice and I persuaded you to try it which you did, you then ask for more, it was as if you wanted to eat the
whole pot.
After I migrated to England, your Mom and I was always in contact. During a conversation one day on the phone while I was talking to all the children and when it was your turn, all you ask was, “miss Loris when are you coming back to cook that season rice”
During our recent video call I could not believe it was you I was seeing. You have grown into a mature and beautiful young lady. I so wanted to say
to you, “you look like Aunt B” but I didn’t think you would remember her. I said it don’t look like you Kimberly and you said yes it was. We had a long
conversation which I really enjoyed seeing you after 14 years. You said you wanted to come to England the next week. You wanted to come to
study Natural Medicine and you wanted to live with me. I was feeling so excited I could not wait to see you personally to cook your season rice, only
for your Mom to tell me the sad and tragic news. It broke my heart I just keep seeing your pretty face everywhere I went.
I kept all your messages and will forever keep reading them.
Sleep on Beloved, Sleep and take your rest, lay down your head upon our Savior’s Breast. We loved you but Jesus loved you best. Goodbye my
sweet Angle.
Miss Loris.
To My Dear Loving Kim
Am Always With You
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".
Opening Hymn............................................................................................................................................................ William Ebanks
Prayer ................................................................................................................................................. Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Hymn “Under His Wings” ..............................................................................................................................................Congregation
Committal...............................................................................................................................................Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Songs ..................................................................................................................................................................................................
“Leaning On His Everlasting Arms”
“I Come to The Garden Alone”
“This World is Not My Own”“
“Come Ye That Love The Lord”
Benediction ........................................................................................................................................... Pastor Reinaldo Dracket
Leaning On His Everlasting Arms
This World Is Not My Home
I Come To The Garden Alone
What a fellowship, what a joy divine!
Leaning on the everlasting arms
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses
Refrain: Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread? What have I to fear?
Leaning on the everlasting arms
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to
day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Refrain:O Lord you know I have no friend like you Refrain: And He walks with me and He talks with
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
me
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And He tells me I am His own
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
And the Joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever know
They're all expecting me and that's one thing I know.
My Savior pardoned me and now I onward go.
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
I know He'll take me through, though I am weak and
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
poor.
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing
Just up in Glory Land we'll live eternally.
The Saints on every hand are shouting victory.
I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Their song of sweetest praise drifts back from HeavThough the night around me be falling,
en's shore
But He bids me go, through the voice of woe,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
His voice to me is calling.
Come Ye That Love The Lord
Come, ye that love the Lord,
And let your joys be known;
Join in a song of sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne.
Let those refuse to sing
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heav’nly King
Must speak their joys abroad.
Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful, Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets;
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound
And ev’ry tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground
To fairer worlds on high.
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