Berthamae Thompson

A Standing Ovation for Our Desert Rose:

The Late, Mrs. Berthamae Thompson

On January 21st, 1947, on the beautiful Island of New Providence, a beautiful baby girl was born to the proud parentage of the late Cleophas Cornelius Knowles Sr. (“CC”) and the late Lucinda Louise née Dean Knowles, (“Cinda”). She was number 11 of the Knowles clan of 15 children and the 4th of 5 girls whom they named Berthamae. Hers is a story of a life well lived, filled with love of family and those fortunate to be known as friends. She was always dedicated, determined, devoted and driven, which she will forever be remembered. The example she set mattered and is a steady reminder etched in the minds of many that the high road is the only road worth taking.

Berthamae attended St. Margaret’s Anglican School, Shirley Street Prep School, Eastern Junior School and Eastern Senior School. Her father, the late “CC Knowles”, started his career in teaching before becoming the 1st Black Bahamian Inspector, spending lots of time under the pear tree with his children reinforcing academic fundamentals. This shaped her love for reading the Royal Reader books with her favorite stories focusing on history and religious knowledge. Most notably, her most loved story was the Three Little Pigs. Berthamae also matriculated at the Bahamas Bible Institute, obtaining a certificate in Church Leadership and Training, and completed Typing, Upholstery, Floral and Baking courses at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.  

Raised by a strict disciplinarian in the heart of Kemp Road, Berthamae along with her siblings were provided with much love, guidance, structure, rules and books. The Knowles clan would often attest that they had much love and understood what it meant to grow up as “ONE”. Her early years were spent in Salem Mission Baptist Church (currently Kemp Road Ministries) for which her parents were founding members under the pastorage of her Godfather and the first Pastor of Kemp Road Ministries - The late, Rev. Henry Stewart. She submitted her life to Christ at an early age and later was baptized in 1969. 

Berthamae met and married the love of her life — the late Deacon Aulice “Tommy” Thompson on June 8th, 1969. Theirs was a marriage that flourished for 52 years as they built a long-lasting friendship and undergirded each other with their bold love. From this union, the happy couple raised 3 children, whom they named Dion Demetrius, Donella Lucinda Samantha and Chavan Dominique. They brought their children up in a Christian home filled with love and structure. Tommy, who she affectionately referred to as her “sweetie”, was Berthamae’s biggest cheerleader, provider, protector, phenomenal gift and caregiver until his death on December 6th, 2021. 

Grateful for the many blessings, Berthamae was indeed a worshipper and a cultivator in the Kingdom of God. Throughout her Christian witness, she enjoyed serving on the Usher Board, as Children’s Choir Director and singing in the church and Bahamas Baptist Union of Choirs. She was a proud “Silver Saint” of her childhood church - Kemp Road Ministries. She looked forward each year to celebrating annual Women’s Month and Senior Day. She often bragged on her Pastor and First Lady, Drs. Ivan F. Butler and Joanne Butler and vividly recalled candid conversations “her Pastor” would have with her.  

On May 24th, 1992, Berthamae humbly accepted a temporary ministry assignment as requested by the late Rev. Dr. Charles Saunders and Rev. Stafford Munnings to help plant the Carmichael Road Union Baptist Church. She was ecstatic to be a part of that germination process and often assisted in picking up others without transportation for choir rehearsals and worship service. Although Kemp Road Ministry was her church home, she loved and supported the CRUBC ministry and the families.

With faith and fortitude, Sis. Berthamae remained an active member of Kemp Road Ministries (KRM) until she transitioned to her temporary home in Nashville, Tennessee on December 18th, 2021. During this transition she FAITHFULLY tuned in to watch and re-watch the KRM worship experiences which allowed her during her physical absence to feel connected to her church family. Even when her physical strength became weak, she would often find the strength to yell “Preach Rev!”. Psalm 27 was her absolute favorite scripture, printed herein, and her favorite song was “God will take care of me”.  

Berthamae’s mind did not rest when it came to family as she kept her pulse on each arm of the Knowles clan. She was certainly 

perceived to be the “rowdy” enforcer, “Hazel Brady number 2”, the “Controller”, an avid supporter, and an anchor when it came to holding down the Heirs of the late CC Knowles. She was extremely vocal and opinionated, never hesitant to share her thoughts regardless of who liked or disliked it. She kept the conversations real and hyped with her sharp tongue that could argue to infinity. Much like her older brothers Stanley and Preston, she had a quick tongue and was fast to crack a joke, all for fun and at anyone’s expense - - - - - even if she was the only one in the room laughing! 

“Aunt Berthamae” was often relied on by her siblings, nieces and nephews to have tough conversations and to provide guidance and mentorship on relationships and parenting. She was present to talk about what was really going on in their lives, hearts, minds, bodies, and reminded the family that “All Ah WE Is ONE!” She was intentional to encourage and support her nieces and nephews as if they were her very own.

She was always known to be the aunt to jump in the kitchen to either prep, cook, taste-test or critique the food. Many of the Knowles nieces that became master chefs (i.e. Alice Josey, Carol Sturrup, Antionette Cumberbatch, Jacqueline Knowles and the late, Patsy McGregor) would quickly learn from “Aunt Berthamae” if the rice they prepared was swinged; if the johnny cake was dry; if the conch fritters were too greasy, looked like “red bread”, if she couldn't taste the conch, or if they knocked the food out of the park and she needed a Tupperware to take some home to her “sweetie”. In writing this obituary with her daughter, her sister (Barbara), Son-In-Love (Vincent), granddaughter (Etana) and Brother (McAllen), Berthamae wanted to make it crystal clear and let readers know she was NOT a “toter”! ….. (Although she really was). In all things, she promoted unity, and at each family gathering or meeting, she insisted on singing “Bind Us Together”. For her, it was about building, lifting and rebuilding that which was broken down to continue the strong family legacy set by her parents. 

 “Mae” as she was affectionately called by her City Market work family, functioned in various capacities for over 35 years until her retirement. She was a meat, fruits and vegetable clerk, deli cook and server. She was hard working and demonstrated a super-strong work ethic. Very much like her siblings, she never wanted to disappoint, believing that “Your word is your bond!”, you should “ALWAYS put your best foot forward!” and that “Every tub has to stand on its own backside!” 

 Her favorite pastimes included working in the yard, finessing her succulent desert roses, making silk floral arrangements, watching religious films, participating in the Fox Hill Community outreach initiatives - particularly in support of the Hon. Fred Mitchell and the Progressive Liberal Party, vacationing and shopping with her siblings. Shopping for shoes, hats, bags, purses and clothes were the epitome of her happy place! Even during her last mobile moments in Nashville, she would often ask Donella to visit some of her favorite stores for a “peek” or to stop by Mary’s house (her favorite dressmaker) so that Mary can make her “something nice” to wear to church for an upcoming celebration. Although home and family were her number one destination, Berthamae traveled extensively around the globe including many states in the United States, the Caribbean, the Holy Land and Haiti.

She is predeceased by her Parents: the Late Cleophas Cornelius “CC” Knowles Sr. and Lucinda Dean Knowles; Loving Husband of 52 years: Deacon Aulice “Tommy” Thompson; Son: Dion Demetrius Thompson; Daughter-In-Love: NaTasha Thompson-Ferguson; Sisters: Erma Beckford, Dorothy Rolle and Bettymae Knowles; Brothers: Stanley (Sr.), Kenneth, Cleophas (Jr.), Richard, Franklin Rodwell, Joseph, Preston (Sr.) and Colan Knowles (Sr.); Brothers-In-Love: Oscar Beckford, Donald Thompson and Pastor James Romer; Sisters-In-Love: Dorothy and Maxine Knowles.

Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her: Daughter: Donella (Pastor Vincent) Johnson; Son: Chavan Thompson; 5 Grandchildren: NaDion (Treca) Thompson, NaTikko Thompson Sr.(DeaVanti Ewing), Etana, Eyden and Emiah Johnson; 3 Great-Grand Children: Tayvaughn Edgecome; Natikko Thompson Jr. and NaZai Thompson; 2 Brothers: McAllen Knowles and Joel Knowles Sr.; 1 Sister: Barbara Romer: 5 Sisters-In-Love: Sybiline, Valderine, and Judy Knowles, Patricia Rolle and Patronella Thompson; Godchildren: Harvey Brown; Aaron Bodie, and Hornsby Rolle Jr.; Many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, great-grand nieces, great-grand nephews: Heirs of the Late Cleophas “CC” and Lucinda Knowles Sr.; other relatives including The Dean, Taylor and Knowles Families; Heirs of the Late Aulice Alfred, Hugh Stanley, James Carmichael, Herbert William Nixon and Keva Nixon-Rolle; Caring Cousins: Violet Stewart, Alice Miller, Shevamae Morley, Rodney Miller and Beverly Barnett of Freeport, Grand Bahama; Crestwell, Debbie and Netty Sturrup, Karen Neely, Shirley, Lillian and Irvin Dean of Deerfield, FL; Eloise Johnson of Miami Gardens, FL; Helen Adderley, Richard and Nelson Gardiner, Lloyd Gardiner of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Daniel Gardiner of Long Island, Jeanette and Delerice Gardiner, Sandra Knowles, Tony and Dee Dee Perpall, Naomi Symonette, Katherine Warren, Angela Achara, and Daniel Knowles Jr., Ellamae Knowles Neighbors: The Pratt Family, Sally Ferguson & Family, The Miller Family; The Pickstock Family and Norma Deane; Other friends including: Gloria Knowles; Denise Whymns & Family; The retired and former staff of City Markets Ltd.; First Lady Emeritus, Sis. Frankie Henry, The Iriogbe, Wilson and Sesanker Families of Nashville, Tennessee; Tommy’s Dominoes Family; Rev. Dr. Ivan F. Butler Jr., First Lady Dr. Joanne Butler and the members of Kemp Road Ministries; Pastor Joseph Rolle, First Lady Vernita Rolle and the praying members of Carmichael Road Union Baptist Church; Pastor George Bodie Sr. and Family; Pastor Emeritus J Carl and Mother Evangeline Rahming and the St. Paul’s Baptist Church Fox Hill; Pastor Trajean Jadorette; the Honorable Fred Mitchell and the Fox Hill Community; the Kemp Road Community and the Community Baptist Church Family in Nashville, Tennessee.

May the soul of our dearly departed Mother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend rest in eternal peace and in the everlasting arms of Jesus Christ.

Please forgive us for any names inadvertently omitted in error.