The casket that bore the body or Mrs Brathwaite to her final resting place. Photo:VINO

Local education icon, long time teacher and Principal Mrs. Inez R. Brathwaite passed away at Peebles Hospital on December 14, 2012 after being ill for some time. She will be buried on Saturday December 22, 2012 on Tortola. Photo: GIS

Family members of Mrs Inez R. Brathwaite join each other on stage in song during the celebration of her life on December 22, 2012. Photo:VINO

Some of the dignitaries in attendance at Mrs Brathwaite's funeral service [front row L-R Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Hon. Julian Fraser, RA]. Photo:VINO

The booklet cover for Mrs Inez Brathwaite's Celebration of Life. Image:VINO

Pictures from the funeral booklet showing Mrs Brathwaite in happier times. Image:VINO

Mrs Brathwaite passed away on December 14, 2012 at Peebles Hospital after being ill for some time. She was 80 years old at the time of her death.

Teacher Inez, as she was affectionately known, is survived by her husband, Richard Brathwaite, 2 daughters and numerous other relatives and friends.

The three attributes of teaching, praying and serving were described as characterizing the life of the former Principal of the Sea Cows Bay School who was also said to be a woman of focus.

According to her eulogy, it was a legacy that would not easily be forgotten within her large circle of influence, particularly those who have been touched by her life.

Tributes were made by Governor Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO, Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser, RA and Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn among others.

Some of the dignitaries paying their last respects among the numerous attendees to her funeral service were Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Hon. Julian Fraser, RA, Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton and Hon. Myron V. Walwyn.

Her body is to be interred at the Johnson’s Ghut Cemetery.

See previous story posted on December 22, 2012:

Education stalwart Mrs. Inez R. Brathwaite to be buried today Dec. 22

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Local education icon, long time teacher and Principal Mrs. Inez R. Brathwaite, who passed away at Peebles Hospital on December 14, 2012 after being ill for some time, will be laid to rest today, December 22, 2012.

It was just last month she received the Badge of Honour from the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Territory.

Her body was viewed from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. at the Upper Room Victory Church at Little Dix Hill on the eastern side of Tortola.

The funeral service started at 10 A.M. and burial will take place at the Johnson’s Ghut cemetery.

Background

Mrs. Brathwaite or teacher Inez as she was called by her many students, was a former local teacher and principal in the Virgin Islands.  She began her career in January 1949 as a pupil teacher in Cane Garden Bay. 

Mrs. Brathwaite dedicated her life to educating the children of the Virgin Islands, particularly those of the villages of Cane Garden Bay and Sea Cows Bay.  Her career spanned a period of forty three years. 

Throughout her teaching career, Mrs. Brathwaite was guided by her profound Christian beliefs, which were passed on to her students. These students were influenced, of course, by her strict morals and principles and some are today among the highest achievers in the Virgin Islands.

Mrs. Brathwaite retired as Principal of the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School in January 1992.

After retiring from the teaching service in 1992, Mrs. Brathwaite devoted her time and energy to caring for her aging mother, and serving as founder and pastor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ Evangelistic Pentecostal Church in Sea Cows Bay.    During that time she also obtained a Masters Degree in Theology. 

Additionally, she served as a member of the BVI Red Cross, the National Parks Trust, the Beautification Committee and the Shelter Management Team for Disaster Management.

Many of today’s success stories and leaders of both the public and private sectors passed through the hands of Mrs. Brathwaite.  They include two Ministers of Education and Culture Andrew A. Fahie and Myron V. Walwyn, Ag. Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Jenifer Hodge-Penn, Master Electrician and Basket ball Coach Brian ‘Bash’ Brewley, Banker Mrs. Sheila Forbes-Fahie (wife of Hon. Fahie), former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works and Virgin Islands News Online founder Julian Willock, Dr. Virginia Rubaine, Attorney David A. Abednego, Dr. Bernadette McKelly, Ag. Superintendent of Prisons Charles Forbes, and Principal of the Enis Adams Primary School Carleen B. Simmonds- Parsons, just to name a very few.

The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Mrs. Inez R. Brathwaite.