Carlie Mae Sands

A beautiful baby girl was born to the proud parents of Samuel Osborne Sands and Una Margarett Sands on the November 24^th, 1943, in the peaceful settlement of Rock Sound, Eleuthera. They named her Carlie Mae. She was the second of five children and was educated at the Rock Sound All-Age School. Upon leaving school, she was employed at St. Anne’s Catholic School. Later, she found employment at The Rock Sound Club and finally at Batelco, where she spent most of her professional years. Carlie Mae thrived at Batelco as a switchboard operator and took pride in her service to others.

Retiring from Batelco, simply meant stepping away from public service, but did not mean the end of hard work for Carlie Mae. She constructed a building with units to assist her nieces with employment and also began her second career as an entrepreneur; operating Sands Convenience Store.

Carlie Mae had a strict work ethic. She rose early and made full use of each day. Never given to laziness, she inherited her father’s love for hard work and farming. Over the years, she would spend her spare time tilling the land alongside her father. Later in life, she would busy herself in her own yard planting and gardening. Her nephews would constantly tease her about her affinity for uprooting every weed she saw in her yard and, the small yard fires she loved to start.

“Callie” or “Auntie” as she was affectionally known loved her family without hesitation. She had a big heart and loved all without reservation. Her home was an open door to her family, especially her beloved nieces and nephews whom she considered her children. She enjoyed traveling with “the children” as she fondly referred to them. In later years, she would sit in front of her store and joyfully recount to all who would listen, the many stories of trips she took with “the children” to visit her cousins in Pittsburg and Florida.

Her family was the pride and joy of her life, she loved them and they loved her unconditionally.

She fell ill on her nephew Jeremy’s birthday (September 28^th, 2023) and was airlifted to Nassau for medical attention. She was hospitalized for a week. On the morning of October 5^th, 2023 (her grand nephew Peter’s birthday) she made a peaceful transition from time to eternity.

She was a devoted member of St. Anne’s Catholic Parish and cherished her church community.

Carlie Mae was predeceased by her parents Samuel Osborne and Una Margarett Sands, her brother George Clinton Sands and her nephew Decius Pinder.

Left to cherish her memories:

Sister: Erma Glendena Sands,

Brothers: Samuel Anthony and Talmage Garth Sands.

Nieces: Una (Alton Sr.) Knowles, Anastacia (Elkin) Ferguson, Leticia (Peter Sr.) Kemp, Natasha and Sonovia Sands, Brekessa Anderson, Suenae McQuay and Sabrina Komolafe.

Nephews: Daschial Pinder Sr., Narayan (Lovelyne) Pinder, Jeremy (Adeola) Pinder and Ranaldo (Laxavier) Pinder.

Grand Nieces: Altina Knowles, Darshenique and Briona Pinder, Petra Kemp, Rochea Ferguson, Marva and Gardica.

Grand Nephews: Alton Jr. and Alex Knowles, Tashek Mazyck, Daschial Pinder Jr., Narayan Pinder II, Peter Kemp Jr., Keymani, Bakari, Troy, Solomon, Peter and Daniel.

Numerous Relatives: Elvita Sands (her best friend) and family, Merlease, Marionette, Margaret, Delona, Robert (Bobby) Sands and family. Michael, Clifford, Tommy and Robert Sands of Pittsburg, Roscoe, Jerome (Jerry), Authur Sands and family. Evelyn, Althea, Lillian, Ranold, Alvene, Ernestine, Avis and family. Cleveland, Edison, Stephen, Mark, Sandra, Sharlene and family. Edmund Delancy, Theodore Charlow and family, Gregory Clarke and family. Holly, Stacy, Sandra, Sheryl, Elvis, Wayde and family, Rebound, Antony, Dancia & Reonardo Leary,Tara Morley, Marsha, Danielle, Clarise, Norma, Daijah, Anthony, Roger, Jefforyy, Verna, Marsha, Sylvia, Eleanor, Natalie, Zelma, Naomi, Howard, Peter, John Norris and family. Samuel and Oliva, Lois, Marie and family. Godfrey Deveaux and family. Patricia, Margaret, Edgar and family. Ida Symonette and family, Van Sands and family. Gary Sands and family. Claudia Sands and family. Hazel Sands and family. Henry T. Allen and family. Johnathan Wong and family, Christopher Petty, Floria Sweeting and family. Wilson and Wilna, Kathleen Culmer and family, Glen and Helena Edwards, Reuben and Denise Goodman. Lashonda Leary & family, Patricia, Marco, Pedro and Kendera Bethel, Eder Mitchel and family. The Hall family of Rock Sound and Wemyss Bight, The Thompsons, McKinneys, and Symonettes of Wemyss Bight. The Pinder family of Deep Creek, the Knowles, Kemp, and Davis family of Rock Sound, the Rolle family of Green Castle. The Jackson family of Guyana, The Ferguson family of Nassau, and The Frederic family of Florida.

The BTC (BATELCO) Cooperation family, the St. Anne’s Parish of Rock Sound, and the community of Rock Sound (especially the White Road neighbourhood).

Special Thanks: Dr. Sydney Smith, the staff of Family Medical Center, Rock Sound Clinic, and the staff of Princess Margaret Hospital (Female Medical II).