The Tribune

By FELICITY DARVILLE

It was no coincidence that popular American TV host and social media icon Tabitha Brown met straw vendor Charmaine Hepburn-Thompson during her trip to The Bahamas. It was a divinely orchestrated moment in time. Tabitha found the perfect hat to recreate a scene that captured one of her mother’s most blissful memories in life. Charmaine came face to face with an international celebrity - one whom her mother spoke to her about in the days leading up to her passing.

The mothers of both women, now in the ancestral realms, seemed to have conspired to bring these two women together for a life-changing encounter.

At first, Tabitha was just busy choosing her hat. It blew me away to see the photograph of her mother, 40 years ago, donning a straw hat, and to see the photo of Tabatha, taken in July 2024, with a hat in the exact same style!

Tabitha said it was one of her mother’s happiest moments in life - her trip to The Bahamas. In the photo, her mother dons a Bahamian straw hat, bag, and a big, beautiful smile. It meant a lot for Tabitha and her family to come to The Bahamas. They had a fantastic time. When tabitha found that hat, it was literally icing on the cake.

Tabitha is an American actress, Emmy-winning host, social media personality, entrepreneur, and author, well known for sharing delicious vegan recipes and soul-stirring life lessons. But at that moment, in the straw market, she was a kid again. She was beaming as she placed that hat on her head, repeating history in a good way. Her mom loved The Bahamas, and now she does, too.

Meanwhile, Charmaine gasped with excitement, realising who she was serving - not just because of Tabitha’s celebrity status, but because her mother, who had passed away just days before, had just mentioned Tabitha to her.

Eugie Hepburn was an amazing woman. She had a heart of gold, according to Charmaine. She recalls that growing up, her mother embodied the true essence of tithing. She would put away a portion of her salary to give to those in need - and she did so all the days of her life. She exhibited commitment to charities such as Great Commission Ministries, and devotion to her Anglican church, Holy Spirit. Most of all, she showed an unending love for her family. She also took in and mentored many, extending her family to those not only born by blood.

It was a shock for Charmaine and her family when Eugie died. She was 72 years old and although she was battling breast cancer, she did not disclose too much to her family. She continued on in her happy way, likely not wanting to burden her loved ones or dampen their spirits.

Charmaine said just a couple of days before she had to rush her mother to the hospital, her mother reminded her of her purpose and encouraged her to get back on track. Charmaine has been an advocate for health and fitness in The Bahamas for decades. As a fitness instructor, she helped many people achieve the physical results they desired, while motivating them each step of the way. Charmaine even received specific certification in geriatric fitness, allowing her to work with seniors at a pace that suited them. Each step of the way, her mom was an inspiration.

“Me and my mum walked every morning, especially during the pandemic,” Charmaine recalled.

“We would walk three miles a day. Just days before I had to rush her to the hospital, she was there telling me to get back on my healthy journey. We were watching Tabitha Brown and seeing her prepare vegan dishes. And my mother reminded me that I was like that. She said that although the doctors couldn’t tell her exactly how she developed breast cancer, sugar played a part of it. That hit home for me, because I love ice cream.”

As Charmaine and I spoke about Tabitha’s recipes and how we would look up vegan ice cream alternatives, the cause of Charmaine’s digression from her fitness routine became evident.

Two years ago, Chamraine’s son TJ was an innocent bystander when he was shot and killed in a hail of bullets intended for others in his vicinity. It broke her heart, and made life difficult. The grief was overwhelming. Food became a coping mechanism, just as it is for millions of people around the world. Her mother’s death could have sent her into a deeper tailspin, but the words of wisdom that Eugie left her with, would end up being the inspiration for her to put herself first once again. She had two more sons to live for, and a career in health and fitness to get back to.

“My mom was always into her fitness and health,” Charmaine said.

“But like her, I love my Bahamian food. She told me she wanted me to do the BRCA gene and she wanted me to look after my health. We were watching Tabitha and she reminded me to eat healthy like I used to.”

When Tabitha visited Charmaine’s stall at the world famous Nassau Straw Market, Charmaine didn’t immediately recognise her. Tabitha’s boys, Charmaine said, were interested in purchasing some balls with the Bahamian flag on it. As she approached Tabitha and offered to assist, she realised that she was staring in the face of the very woman that Eugie told her to follow and use as inspiration to get back on track.

Tabitha shared the encounter on her Facebook page on Sunday, July 28: “I hugged her and told her it was nice to meet her. She then began to share with me that her mom had just passed away last Wednesday and before she passed away, she told her to get back on Facebook and start watching my videos and to change her eating so that she wouldn’t get sick like her. She said her family had just been watching my videos last night. Look at God. In that moment, all I could do was hug her again and tell her this is what confirmation looks like! Ms Charmaine, you stay encouraged and take your health and food journey one day at a time. I believe in you. Praying for you and your family as you lay your mom to rest. I have a feeling that our Moma’s smiled together from heaven today!”

Both Tabitha and Charmaine’s deep love for their mothers connected them and created a moment in time neither will forget. Tabitha found new zest for life as she walked barefoot on Bahamian sand and swam in crystal clear waters. She realised that her mother’s big smile was likely not just because of the land she was on, but because of the people she met.

Charmaine learned that being genuinely loving and kind to others, and being a Bahamian ambassador at the straw market could put her in a position where all the stars could align in her favour. She discovered that her mother is still blessing her beyond this physical plane, and that her mother’s legacy will live on - not just in the hearts of those she loved, but also for those around the world who would hear her incredible story.

“When women get to a certain age, we relax and chill, but we still have time on this earth,” Charmaine advised.

“Every day is a chance to get up on it. I promised Tabitha I would. I started by creating a salad bar in my fridge. Every two to three days I cut up fresh veggies and reload my salad bar. This morning, I made a big salad with avocado. So it’s working, it’s starting slowly!”

She told me about Tabitha’s kale salad recipe that she absolutely loves, and I was telling her about the vegan seafood boil with hearts of palm that I want to try. We agreed that with mother Eugie looking down on us, we had better not let her down!

“My mother taught me how to be a decent human being,” Charmaine said.

“Mom was a good person and an awesome mother. She looked out for others. She budgeted in to accomodate people who were in need. When she turned 70, she was still walking every day. She saw her three scores and ten. As women, we have to put ourselves first - get ourselves tested and take care of ourselves.

Eugie Vernetta Hepburn is survived by her children: Charles (Virinia) Hepburn; Charmaine (Force Chief Petty Officer Theodore) Thompson; and Octivier Sweeting. Her grandchildren: Police Sergeant 148 Giano (Tameka); Charles Jr; Cha-Nea; Chelsea Hepburn; Chyne (Bryan) Pena; Michelle Bryan; Ronny Valentino Ettienne; Aldrin King Jr; Caleb Sweeting; Gabriel Williams; Sean-Edward and Charlene Hall. Her great-grandchildren: Chyanne, Chanel and Genesis Hepburn, Ternisha Paul, Preze Bryan and Shaunae Adderley. She is also survived by her sister Ida Bain, brother-in-law Elkin Johnson, and a host of other relatives and friends including her adopted children Melissa Williams-Clarke (Romel, Chrstine (Marcus) Gardiner, Marcus (Miley-di) and Marc Hall.