George Lamont Berry, the eldest son of George and VeraBerry, was born on June 26, 1956 on the island of New Providence.
George graduated from St. Joseph’s Primary School, St. Augustine’sCollege and The College of The Bahamas where he obtained a degree in WeldingEngineering. George pursued his career in welding and operated G.B. Steel andWelding, with his specialty as fabrication and erection.
Later he joined the Water & Sewerage Corporation as aContract Employee, Welder II on Sept 24,2001 in the Electrical & Mechanical Maintenance Department and confirmed asa Welder Machinist II on August 1, 2005. His duties were oxygen-acetylene andarc welding and fabrication. He was promoted to Senior Welder Machinist onJanuary 1, 2013 and reclassified as a Welder Foreman on January 1, 2016. George was employed at the Corporation foreleven years, retiring as Senior Foremanon June 26, 2016.
Lamont confessed faith in Jesus Christ on a job site, afterbeing witnessed to by Mr. Vanlock Fowler, his employer and in 1977 publiclywalked the altar at East Street Gospel Chapel. Since his conversion Georgebecame involved in a number of ministries around the assembly. The maintenance andsecurity of the premises have been priorities for him; and his commitment hasbe seen in his willingness to be on call in case of emergency. Believing that“Only what’s done for Christ will last”, Bro. George has been involved in theMen’s Fellowship, Marriage Ministry and the Evangelism Committee and as amember of the Sunday School Board, he became the Sunday School’s Superintendentand was excited for Sunday School Month, where there would be a live band. Heparticipated during the summer as a counsellor at Teen Scene’s Camp and laterassisted with Vacation Bible School in the chapel’s auditorium.
He also assisted with the Big Harvest Tent, a Sunday Schoolministry of the community surrounding Woods Alley, which is headed by BishopJohn Ferguson, from The Church Of God Of Prophecy.
Pastor Errol Jackson has had the greatest influence inGeorge’s life, ensuring that he “ grew in grace and in the knowledge of ourLord and Saviour Jesus Christ”.
George considered Pastor Jackson his father and continued thementor/student relationship. Continuing his quest for knowledge, Bro. Georgealso graduated from Commonwealth Bible College, with Pastor Rex Major as principal.
Bro George was attracted to Patricia Russell as shecollected the Sunday School’s offering, but did not inform her of this untilyears later. Love blossomed between George and Patricia and on January 2, 1999George was joined to the “apple of his eye” in Holy Matrimony and they enjoyed 25years of marital bliss.
Pastor George considered it a privilege to have been selected and appointed to serve in thecapacity as a Pastor in our assembly, where he was ordained Sept 29, 2002. He continuedhis goal to be an able minister andteacher of the word, thereby encouraging the saints. During lockdown he wasinstrumental in starting nightly prayers by the men in the assembly and itcurrently continues.
Pastor George’s favourite song was “Blessed Jesus Hold MyHand” and his favourite verse is Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord,that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days ofmy life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple”
Pastor George enjoyed swimming, reading and gardening. He isdescribed as very friendly and is known by most of St. Andrews Beach residents,as he would share fruits and even planted trees to give away. He would spendtime with his childhood friends, playing a game or two of dominos throughMartin Street.
Pastor George continued to serve his Lord, even after hisunfavourable diagnosis, giving thanks for all things and singing “Pass It On”and “Take it to the Lord in prayer” as he led in prayer.
On Monday night, May 20, 2024 he said his last prayer andwent home to be with his Lord.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of hissaints” Psalm 116:15
Survivors:
His lovingand devoted wife: Patricia
Daughter:Karen Peterson
Sons: Thomasand Samuel Berry
Step-sons:Kevin and Kuzaliwa Kemp
Brother: TheodoreBerry
Sisters:Margueritte Burrows and Florence Berry of Miami, Florida
Grandchildren:Koreen and Marissa Peterson, Samuel Berry jr, Diamond, Thomas, Jade, Jaden, and Thayon Berry
Son-In-LawWendell King
Daughter-In-Law: Nicole Berry
Sisters-In-Law : Delores Berry and Majorie Waite
Brother-In-Law:Larry Burns
Nieces
Cynthia/ Ian, Nurse Judy Johnson, Omace/Clyde Mckenzie,Deontae Burrows, Tonia/ Charles Barry, Kristen Berry, Nicole Miller, DanelleScott, Monique, Veronique and Catherine.
Nephews
Conor Burrows, Antoine Johnson, Storm Berry, Garreth Scott(Jasmine)and Shannon Russell(Aiisha).
Grand nieces
Raquel/ Jay Davis, Claudine/ Abner Agustine, Leneska, Crysta,Twyanna Mckenzie and Latetia Scott.
Grand nephews
Codero, Tafari and Jerome Woodside.
Great Grand nieces
Jaquel Davis, Arianna Adderley, Dominique and DominiquaBerry, Danae and Jermia Woodside, Tavaer King, Andranae and Ambernae Cash.
Great Grand nephews
Hakim, Stephon, DJ and AJ
Numerous Cousins
Sharon Gordon and family, Deacones Vera Rolle and Family,Deloris Pinder and Family, Reginald Johnson and family, Marvin Johnson andfamily, Terrisita Rolle and Family, Tony Carey and family, Tyrone Flowers,Rosie, Beryl, Cephas Ellis, Portia Campbell, Betty, Silas, Paul, Samuel andFamily and Frank Carey and Family, Christine Rolle and family.
Best friend
Pastor Sterling Moss(Anna)
Other Relatives and FriendsIncluding
Pastors, Deacons and members ofEast Street Gospel Chapel and the Sunday School, The family of the late PastorErrol Jackson, the Ellis family of Miami, Florida, Management and staff ofWater and Sewerage Corporation, Ellwood Higgins and family and Pastor WellingtonCollie and family and Fendt Shearer and family.
Shelly Smith and Family, Kay,Gregory, Jean, Dianne Lockhart, Donnel and Trevor Whylly and Family, BeverleyBethel and Family, Sidney Cleare and Family, John and Michelle Nesbitt andFamily, Dorothy Grant and Family, Nellimae Walkes and Family, Rhea Bullard andFamily, Elsena, Jackie,Whitney and Family, Hartman, Frankie, Lydia and DeborahBrice, Bishop John and Debbie Ferguson, Big Harvest Tent Community Center, WoodsAlley, Taylor Street, Hay Street and Martin Street Community, Mr VantlockFowler and family, members of the Association Of Brethren in the Bahamas, TerryBain and family, Tamika Newbold and Family, Ms. Elanor and Family, PanzaFamily, Denise and Triston and Family, Melvern Nesbitt and Family, Cousin Bugsand Family, Irene Pinder and Family, Sheila Burrows and Family, many god-children,Iris Miller and Family, Sabrina and Martion Pratt and Family, Maternity Ward atThe Princess Margaret Hospital, membersof Transfiguration Baptist Church and Dr. Rev Stephen Thompson, Pastor RexMajor, Pastor Allan Lee and students of Telios Bible School, the neighourhoodof St. Andrews Beach Estates, St. Augustines Class of 1974.
