Her name was Alexandria and her story began with a beautiful smile. Yes, like everyone else, she had a date of birth – January 31st, 1984 – and parents – Maria Francis and the late Clifford Henfield – but God had other plans and the tragedy of a fire would play a major role in transitioning Alexandria to the ready-made home and family that God had already prepared for her. Her radiant smile sunk like an anchor into the hearts of her mother, Arlean Smith, and her father, the late George Smith, forging an unbreakable bond that would stand the test of time.
Alex, as we affectionately knew her, went to Smith's Hill Primary School where she excelled. Of course, her mother was the Acting Principal and a stern disciplinarian so she had no other choice but to do well. She moved on to the South Andros High School where she graduated with honours. She took a brief break to give birth to her first son, Alexxus Arleano Francis, and, after a stern scolding from her mother, she went on to continue her education at Robert Morgan Technical School in Miami, Florida, where she obtained a culinary diploma.
Even though Alex was at home in South Andros she never forgot that she had roots elsewhere and she was determined to explore them and make the linkage. This search resulted in her reconnecting with her brothers, her birth mother and father and the rest of her biological family who celebrated the beautiful, intelligent young lady that she had become. She was now formidably tied to two of the three families that would matter most to her.
When she returned to The Bahamas to seek employment Alex was hired at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island where she worked as a cook and, later, a waitress. Aside from this, she would take on other private engagements and she worked in one of the restaurants with her uncle. Her honesty made her the ideal person to hold the Asue and secure money. She was never afraid to work hard and put her shoulders to the wheel when it was time to get the job done. She forged attachments with her colleagues and she encouraged mutually respectful relationships in the work environment.
Alex was a Smith's Hill girl. She knew how to cook, clean, wash, sing and catch crab. Of course, these talents would come in very handy because while at Atlantis she bumped into the angel who would become the man of her dreams, her protector, her lover and her best friend. It was 2003 when Michael Xavier Edwin Bowe met Alex in the common kitchen at Atlantis. They began dating in 2004 and the romance blossomed into marital bliss on November 18th, 2006. Their union added another son – Xavier Alexander Edwin Bowe – to the family.
Alex loved to sing and, while growing up, she wrote songs with her friends and was in a little song group called UNiQ. She sang at weddings and other special occasions but her favourite was karaoke. She participated on the Bahamian Stars Show, tried out for the National Youth Choir and was a member of The Young Bahamian Music Society (TYBMS). She was into sports like basketball and volleyball; she played softball for the Atlantis league.
Alex had a sincere love in her heart for God. She grew up attending church at Mt. Olive Native Baptist in Smith's Hill and when she moved to New Providence she continued going to different churches until she settled for a church home at New Lively Hope Baptist Church. She was a woman of faith who put work into what she believed. She loved to sing the gospel and, whenever called upon, she used her talents to the honour and glory of God.
Alex was a headstrong, focused individual. Everyone who came to know her grew to love her. She had a heart of gold that she wore on her shoulders. She reached out to the less fortunate and defended those who could not speak for themselves. She believed everyone should have fair opportunity to speak their mind but she was of the view that when all was said and done we should all live and love as one. She was the life of the party and no matter how bad things seemed she could make anyone smile.
In October 2011 Alexandria was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result of this, the following year, in February 2012, she had a right mastectomy and in June she underwent chemotherapy and then in 2013 she underwent radiation therapy. The cancer appeared to be all but gone and then in August 2013 she had a resurgence causing her to start chemotherapy again in September.
Alex decided to take a break from it all and planned a cruise for her husband's birthday. She enjoyed herself and refused to allow the woes of her health to take all the joy out of her life. By November 2013 her condition had started to get worst and by mid February 2014 she could no longer go to work. On April 10th, 2014, Alex was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital and the family was told to make funeral arrangements because doctors had declared that she would not make it.
God prevailed, however, and Alex, who had been practically declared dead, woke up and pulled out her breathing tube. Word of her failing health and stories that she had passed spread like wildfire resulting in premature mourning and disheartenment. However, she held strong and this sorrowful news brought family, friends and acquaintances to her bedside to cherish what would be the last time many of us would see her. Everyone who came around her bedside on that fateful Friday, April 11, 2014, left with a smile that Alex put on their face.
On April 15th, 2014, Alex travelled to Miami, Florida, and was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she spent two weeks. While admitting that there was not much they could do to deter her failing health, the doctors, nurses and attendees did everything they could to make her as comfortable as possible. She received emergency medical care aid (Medicaid) and hospice care, all free of charge.
On Tuesday, May 13th, 2014, Alex was readmitted to hospital. She summoned her husband to set some things in order and she gave him specific instructions because she was ready for her appointment with God Almighty. That night, after the ambulance transported her back home, they prayed together and she settled her husband's heart to allow God's will to be done. She loved her husband and her family but she was tired of the agony. On the morning of Wednesday, May 14th, 2014, at 8:10am, Alex quietly left her angel husband to take her rest in the arms of her Creator.