The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VETERAN national team player Zella Brown- Symonette, perhaps the greatest female shortstop who won numerous championships in the New Providence Softball Association and the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association, passed away on Tuesday.

Brown-Symonette, 59, is survived by her husband Kenneth Symonette Sr, daughter Kenise (Jerad) Darville; son Kenneth (Qutel) Symonette Jr, grandchildren Anthony Deane, Colman and Chozen Darville and Hannah and Kai Symonette, sisters Ruthmae Williams, Maxine Newton and Patricia Brown and brothers Ralph, Ullis and Dexter Brown.

Kenise Darville, who followed in her mother’s footsteps as a softball player, said her mother was her world.

“She was everything to me. Everything,” said an emotional Darville.

“I can’t put it into words. She was there for me with everything. She helped me in my foundation as a child, my education, playing softball, my marriage and with my children. I will really miss her. We will miss her.”

One of Symonette’s long-time team-mates Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting from the perennial New Providence Softball Association women’s champions Rothmans Wildcats said her memories of her teammate and leader Zella B, as she was affectionately called, will last forever.

“Zella was one of a kind, humble, confident, stern, disciplined and one that showed pride in every game she played,” Sweeting said.

“She loved representing her country, the pride she displayed with us as her team members was a feeling that no one on the outside could understand and I got that feeling and encouragement many times from her in the circle.

“She was the best shortstop I have ever seen play in this Bahamas and one of the best around the world. Her stellar plays always had the crowd’s attention and lifted/motivated the team.”

Sweeting said on many of their softball trips around the world, Brown-Symonette definitely pushed her many times in the circle and her encouragement made her a better person and the most outstanding pitcher that she became.

“Most of all, Zella B was a child of the king and she wanted everyone to know that,” said Sweeting of Brown-Symonette, who was a member of the ministerial team at Mount Tabor church. “She will definitely be missed.”

Natasha Huyler, an infielder as well, called Symonette a “teammate” for life.

“She was a ride and die warrior that took the team on as she helped us win many championships,” said Huyler, who also played with Symonette on the Wildcats team and the Treasury Invaders slow-pitch team in the GBDSA as well as on the national team.

“Her passion, her drive and her love of the game made all of us champions. Her work ethic, energy and killer instinct drove us during every practice session and game.

“She will definitely be missed.”

As the condolences continue to pour in, from one shortstop to the next, Marvin ‘Tougie’ Wood, when he heard the news, noted: “Wow no. RIP one of the best shortstops. Definitely a HOF (Hall of Famer).”

Ali Culmer, who coached the arch-rivals Colina Crows, sent out his condolences to Symonette’s brother Dick Brown and family. “May her soul RIP,” he wrote.