The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net    

RENEE Curry-Davis was remembered as the “Sunshine” who met the “Son Shine” in our heavenly father as she exemplified what it meant to be a “legend, a hero and a caring and loving person” to everyone she came in contact with.

Those were some of the sentiments expressed on Saturday at the funeral service for Curry-Davis at the Bible Truth Ministries before she was interred in Woodlawn Gardens for her final resting place.

The charismatic 56-year-old Curry-Davis, with that bright radiant smile and witty comments, left behind her husband, Lloyd ‘Ratty’ Davis, children Dino Sweeting and Tiffanie Adderley, grandson Lavardo Deveaux and a host of relatives and friends.

A large crowd of people from all walks of life packed the church to pay their last respects to Curry-Davis, who was a former volleyball and softball player who also ran track.

She was famous for her boisterous accolades of the Wildcats softball team in the New Providence Softball Association, the Finance Invaders in the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association and the Golden Gates Native Baptist Church in the Baptist Sports Council.

But Curry-Davis, an active member of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO), the Saxons Superstars junkanoo group and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, was just as vocal as she supported her family members as they engaged in their various sporting disciplines. 

The Rev. Dr. Alonzo Hinsey Jr, her pastor at Golden Gates Native Baptist Church, said Curry-Davis’ presence was felt as she served as an usher and a member of their sporting team.

While he highlighted some of her commitments to the church, he said she had a personal touch with God and when she was in hospital, he got the news from her that she was finally going to a private room, which suggested that she was getting better.

But less than an hour later on Wednesday, June 12 after they had prayed for her in their prayer meeting and bible study, he got the sad news that she had passed away, only to receive the private room that she so longed for.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who had the pleasure of working with Curry-Davis, said she will be remembered as a “legend,” who represented the essence of her nickname “Sunshine” as one could not think about sports without the thought of sunshine.

He noted that she dedicated her life to upliftment of young people and her impact on the Ministry of Sports was evident and far-reaching through the many roles she participated in.

“There was no sport or programme that she did not touch and her fingerprints are evident in the success stories of many young athletes and so many others,” he said. “Because this is what she did, uplifted and empowered.”

“Sunshine,” according to Bowleg, was a “woman who got things done period.”

 He noted that her “tenacious spirit and unyielding determination” were infectious, inspiring those around her to strive for greatness.

From his perspective, Bowleg said Curry-Davis led by “example, demonstrating that hard work, passion and love for community” are the pillars of a fulfilling and impactful life.

“Her legacy will continue to shine brightly through the lives she touched, the programmes she championed and the spirit of community she so fervently nurtured,” said Bowleg as he encouraged her family and friends to let her light continue to illuminate in the hearts and the community for generations to come.

After leaving the Ministry of Sports where she felt that she was being under-used, Curry-Davis joined the staff at the Ministry of Immigration last year where she made an immediate impression.

Her immediate boss, Sharon Pratt-Rolle, thanked Bahamas Public Service Union president Kimsley Ferguson for recommending her to the Bahamas Immigration.

In preparation for her tribute, Pratt-Rolle, the under-secretary at Immigration, said she googled “Sunshine” and everything about Curry-Davis, her secretary, showed up.

“A brightness with radiance. Gives warmth, cozy comfort. Cheerfulness, happiness, gladness,” she said. “Think about it, when you were in her presence there was always laughter, joy, merriment, a sense of glee. She was the epitome of Sunshine.”

Pratt-Rolle remembered how one day Curry-Davis came into her office and said they had to do something about their co-workers’ morale because there were people who weren’t speaking to each other.

She challenged her to go and speak to those persons and today, Pratt said Curry-Davis made the difference in offering her words of advice and sound counsel.

“It was as if she was the glue to bring the various sections together,” Pratt-Rolle said.

On the job, Pratt-Rolle said Curry-Davis was “always on time, prompt, attentive, alert, vigilant, always on the ball, caring, generous, giving, she never said no, flamboyant, colourful, stylish, confident in her skin, exuberant, full of energy, like the energiser bunny and smart, computer savvy and a technical geek.”

As for her family, Pratt_Rolle said her husband Lloyd was truly her “babes,” her daughter Tiffanie was the only one who had a mother, her son Dino was the “best softball player” in the world and her grandson Lavardo Deveaux, she was extremely proud of your achievement from a baseball player to a track and field athlete.

She also thanked Ruth Coakley, her Wildcats’ team-mate, for providing all of the support she needed while in hospital, ensuring that her bed was made up and that she was comfortable.

Chaplin and chief starter Barry Saunders, representing BACO, headed by president Valdarine Kemp, dubbed his tribute “My Hero” for their secretary, whom they found no incongruence between what they say and what they mean. 

“Renee said what she meant and meant what she said and she said it without guile or malice. You could take it or leave it, when she said her piece, that was that,” said Saunders of Curry-Davis.

“She’d then turn around and ask you if you were mad, and before you could answer, she would say, “that’s ya business,” and still offer you something out of her cooler.”

In making reference to how Curry-Davis treated just about all of their members as the same, especially when it came to sharing the stipend they received, Saunders expressed what it meant to be a “hero.”

“My heroes are the Renee’s who are true to duty and wouldn’t hesitate to call others to duty as well,” he said. 

“Renee would be one of the first at an event (track and road races) and you would hear her voice note loud and clear: “Officials, officials, the meet begins in an hour, and I’m the only one here, come out now.

“My heroes are the Renee’s who walk the walk. Dr. Myles Munroe puts it this way, “Die empty!” 

“Make sure that every drop of your talents is used up in the service of humanity. 

“The graveyard is no richer today because certainly Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis spent every ounce of her life and talent in service to and for her fellow man as is evident by the many people and organisations here today.”

While he shared his own personal experience and noted that they can sit and recount the endless heroic exploits of Curry-Davis until next week, he encouraged persons to “go out and do great exploits of your own, make the graveyard a little poorer, live worthy of Sunshine’s legacy.”

Captain Tyrone Archer gave a fitting “as I knew her,” while Member of Parliament for South Beach Bacchus Rolle, Kingsley Ferguson, Henry Dean and host pastor Ellison Greenslade of Bible Truth Ministries, all gave some remarks on the life of Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis. May her soul rest in peace.