Obituary for Corlesta Eureka Aurelia Adderley (nee Rolle)

Life: Corlesta E. A. Adderley (nee Rolle) was born on the 3rd of October 1917 at Long Bay Cays, Andros Island, in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to Donald Rolle (deceased) and Sissy Rolle nee Davis (deceased) and is the maternal granddaughter of the Rev. Ellis Davis (deceased), Pastor of Mount Sianai Baptist Church of Long Bay Cays, Andros.
"Mother" Adderley, as she was affectionately called, attended the all-age public school at Long Bay Cays. She excelled academically and was appointed a school monitor at the age of 14 and remained in such post until she was 18. She then relocated to Nassau, New Providence Island, on the 14th of November 1935 to take up residence and prepare for her marriage. On the 21st of November, one week after her arrival, she was united in the bonds of holy matrimony to Roger Gladstone Adderley at Bethel Baptist Church, Meeting Street by Rev. Robert T. Johnson. Her husband was the youngest Trustee of the Church, a Deacon and a Choir Director during this period of her life. Her marriage produced 11 children, two of whom died at an early age, as well as foster sons and daughters. The remaining children have and are continuing to take a keen interest in the religious and civic life of this community and the Bahamas in general. This was instilled in them by Mother Adderley whose influence fostered their spiritual, academic and civic growth. She loved them dearly and they are able to admit that with just a look, the ringing of the ear or the "eye" was a coded message for "act accordingly". She made the best bean and grits, peas soup with coconut milk, the eight breads of Andros along with roasting corn, and other goodies in the fire place on special occasions. Mother Adderley taught her children the basic life skills of survival like cleaning, cooking, and gardening. She was very proud of her family and loved to plan family events like picnics and dinners so that her children would be able to bond with others. To her grandchildren, she was grammy, gram, and mummy. She was also active in caring for all of her grandchildren, guiding them towards the path of righteousness in their spiritual development, encouraging their talents and developing their academic prowess. To those in the community she was known as Aunt Colesta, Mrs. Adderley, Sis. Adderley, Roger's wife and Miss A.
Mother Adderley had a "green thumb" and loved to watch plants grow, flowers blossom, and fruits ripen. She grew a host of different fruits and vegetables in her yard because of her lifestyle of healthy habits. She was, also, a maker of hats and was proficient at the arts of knitting and crocheting.
Religion: At the age of 14, Mother Adderley accepted a higher promotion when on the 15th of August, 1932 she was converted at the Baptist Church in Long Bay Cays and became a member of the choir as well as a Sunday School Teacher. At Bethel Baptist church she became a member of the choir and participated in various church organizations.
In 1952 Mother Adderley was present for the ordination of her husband, Roger Gladstone Adderley, to the Ministry by Rev. Dr. H. W Brown and was commissioned by the late Rev. Dr. T. W. Donaldson, General Supt. of the St. John's Baptist Society, to serve the St. James Baptist Church. In 1953 Mother Adderley accompanied her husband, who was now an ordained minister, to serve at St. James Baptist Church, in the Eastern District, where she remained until 1968. Following the call of the Master to stretch out and preach to all men, she was a pioneer and the first lady in the establishment of the New Lively Hope Baptist Church where she has served in every capacity for 15 years including holding the position of assistant pianist for the church.
Religious and Academic Education: Mother Adderley attended Bahamas Baptist Institute under Rev. John Mean receiving in 1954 her first certificate in Sunday School work.
Because of her burning desire for learning, higher education and the development of young people, Mother Adderley received a certificate of Religious Training under the Rev. Wendel Vertel in the year 1965. Her love for children and youth development led her to receive a Certificate in Pre-School Education from the Late Dr. Doris L. Johnson.
Mother Adderley was also an accomplished musician. She was a singer, pianist and organist and was taught how to perform on the keyboard instruments by her late husband.
Religious Participation: Mother Adderley has served as the 2nd Vice-President and Secretary of the Women's Fellowship of St. John's Native Baptist Church under the late Mother M. B. Donaldson.
At St. James Baptist church she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Leader of the Junior Choir, President of the B.T.U, the Church Board, the Producer of Plays and Dramas, Principal of the Day Nursery School and Vice-President of the Missionary Society.
Missionary Work: For many years Mother Adderley travelled to the Family Islands assisting and strengthening the missionary work of St. John's Native Baptist Church as Secretary under the Rev. Mother Lavinia Stuart of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary Convention.
Civic Duty: Mother Adderley was a member of the St. Hilda's Chapter, Order of Eastern Star. She then transferred to the Rebecca Chapter where she served as Worthy Matron up to the Grand Past Officer.
She was a member of the Household of Ruth No. 427, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows where she progressed to the post of Most Noble Governor.
She was also a member of the Bahamas Mother's Club and was commissioned to set up a branch in Smith Hill, Andros. She was sent to pay a courtesy call and convey greetings to Mother Rahming who was 110 years of age at the time in Black Point, Andros. She was responsible for recording the voice of this grand lady and for taking a memorable snap shot with her.
Mother Adderley and her Husband, the late Rev. Roger G. Adderley, was honoured by the Ministry of Tourism, under the leadership then Minister of Tourism the late Sir Clement T. Maynard, during the late 1970's, for their work in religious tourism. This involved the organization and hosting of various banquets and luncheons, amongst other important events within the Baptist Community, with The late Rev. Dr. Sylvester Williams, Rev. Dr. J.D. Montgomery, and Dr. Grace Cobbs leading the way as their annual invited guests, along with their respective congregations that also came with them from Detroit, Michigan. It was from these events that friendships were formed and relationships blossomed between the Detroit Michigan contingents and Mother Adderley and her husband the late Rev. Roger G. Adderley. This led to both parties exchanging special invitations between each other to attend special events and simply co-labor together in Ministry in Detroit, Michigan, here in New Providence, and throughout the other family islands of The Bahamas. One of the most anticipated events during this time was the Baptist Recognition Day, which these special friends and their congregations were specially invited to attend. She was, also, honoured at Government House as a "Precious Pearl" by the Hon. Algernon Allen, the then Minister of Social Services and Development in the year 1998, for her contribution to Preschool Education in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
Conclusion: Mother Corlesta E. A. Adderley was thankful to God for His goodness to her and a life that began with a grandfather who was a well-known and beloved Baptist minister, a devoted husband who was also a Baptist Minister who carried on a dedicated work to win souls for Christ and the proud Mother of Gospel Ministers and Ministers of Music who are spreading the Good News of Christ Crucified. She will be remembered for her joyful exclamation of praise "God is Good!"