Miss “Ellie”
Standing in close proximity to Kilmarnock School epitome of the work done by early Moravian Missionaries in educating ancestral slaves who were snatched from their habitat on the West Coat of Africa and taken in shackles to Jamaica where they were sold to slave owners and masters in Paynes Town, Hopeton and other white dominated plantacrocy; Kilmarnock Moravian Church with its four buttresses, a white painted corrugated steel gate is the entrance to the church cemetery where the remains of John Monteith and his son the late Rev. Noel Keith Monteith, O.J., J.P., former Government Senator, descendants of Archibald Monteith – the Nigerian native from the IBO Tribe who bought his freedom from his slave owner/master at Paynes Town and labored thereafter to enhance the work at Carmel Moravian Church – against the backdrop of sounds of gospel songs coming from Brown & Sons Funeral Parlour Hearse the pink and white casket bearing the remains of Mrs. Elesa “Miss” Idona Hamilton who passed away on May 10, 2013 was borne into the church building where it was placed in front of a white arch that was decorated with variegated hued flowers.
It is Saturday, May 25, 2013 and the Home going Service for Mrs. Elesa “Miss Ellie” Idona Hamilton, Beersheba All Age School Alumna which is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. is about to begin at 11:45 a.m. Choir members wearing burgundy and gold choir robes, led the procession that was followed by a female Pastor, wearing royal blue gown and a black rimmed hat and Rev. Devon Anglin wearing his white cleric gown, read aloud scriptural sentences that reminded dark sunglasses be-spectacled mourners in the congregation about God’s Omnipotence and Sovereignty in limiting the life span of His creatures.
Distinguished Persons Who Attended and Led Mourners at “Miss Ellie” Homegoing Service.
Many teary eyed dark sunglasses bespectacled mourners – perhaps as a veneer to hide their grieving tears – were led in mourning by the following distinguished persons to whom protocol was extended:
- His Excellency Sir Kenneth Hall, former Governor General of Jamaica
- Hon Dr. Henry Lowe, O.J.
- Senior Superintendent of Police Millicent Thomas
- Cedric Brown, Attorney-at –Law, representing Saint Elizabeth Home Coming Foundation
- Dorothy Francis, Soloist, representing Trevor Hamilton Associates
- Ryland Campbell, former Banker, Pro Chancellor Mico University College
- Dr. Randolph Watson, representing All American Institute of Medical Science, Black River, Saint Elizabeth
- Clive Dobson, former President National Workers Union and President Emeritus
- Donna Parchment-Brown, Attorney-at-Law, Chairman Saint Elizabeth Home Coming Foundation, Executive Director Dispute Resolution Foundation.
Excuses for absence for nonattendance at the home Going Service was received from:
- Wesley Barrett, former Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education
- Ambassador Byron Lowe, O.J., former Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM.
A Virtous Woman Who Loved And Cared For Her Family.
Tributes in song and spoken words given by Happy Grove United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman, New market Methodist Church, Green Valley Pentecostal Church, Kilmarnock Moravian Church, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) and Dr. Trevor Hamilton on behalf of his siblings Madge, Elaine, Vinnette, Winston, Pamela, portrayed “Miss Ellie” as a virtuous woman who loved and cared for her family to the extent that her children never went to bed hungry even if she had to deny herself.
“Miss Ellie’ made many sacrifices for her children and toiled tirelessly in doing so. “Miss Ellie” who lived a simple uncomplicated life, was thrifty and only spent money when it was necessary to do so and although she did not have much finances, she was satisfied with what she had. Although calm in nature, “Miss Ellie” spoke with authority, yet her forgiving spirit enabled her to act rationally. “Mass “Noel her husband respected her and never argued with her. Herein lies the secret of longevity in the marriage relationship that has lasted for 64 years!!
Elesa Idona Hamilton Scholarship
Miss Nolanda Hamilton, daughter of Dr. Trevor Hamilton and spokesperson for the family of the deceased, presented two scholarships to Black River Preparatory School and Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased). Symbolic instruments for these scholarships were received by Mrs. Icyline Malcolm, Principal Black River Preparatory School and Vincent Samuels, Secretary/treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), the organization that the family has appointed Trustee to administer and manage the scholarship under strict criteria stipulated by the family of the deceased.
The Sermon And Recession From The Sanctuary
Following the sermon that was given by Rev. Devon Anglin, the Recessional hymn “Mine Eyes have Seen The Coming Of The Glory Of The Lord” (Battle Hymn of the Republic) was sung gallantly by the congregation as Pall Bearers escorted the casket to the black floral decorated hearse that was parked at the main entrance of the church building. Notwithstanding heavy showers of rain that fell in the area, internment was done in the family plot in Paynes Town after the rain subsided for a while.
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