August 13th, 1940, was a red-letter day in the beautiful settlement of Deadmans Cay, Long Island. Wallace and Emmaline Burrows embraced their second child and oldest son whom they christened in the name of Prescott McDonald Burrows. He grew to be affectionately called “Mac”, “PB”, papa, among others.
Mac obtained his early childhood education at N G M Major All-Age School. Schooling for him concluded at grade 8, age 14. Grade 8 was the grade level for school completion at that time.
Mac was always an extremely industrious and hard-working individual. He worked hard all his life, providing for his family on all scopes. His employment began with Mr. Mike Cartwright (now deceased) as a packer at Early Bird Supermarket. Coca Cola, Tom’s Chips, Salad Master, John S. George Ltd, all embraced his skills and expertise as an employee. He was also a boat helper and later ventured into fisheries as an avid boat captain. Construction, carpentry, back-yard farming, and administration services, were amongst his many other disciplines.
The story of his love life bears much humor. He was a boat helper when he, during a trip to the island of Eleuthera, set eyes on the oldest daughter of Charles and Fymicia Sands (both deceased). He drafted a letter of intent to “Pa Charlie” begging for the hand of their daughter Agnes in marriage. Having been obliged, the two were joined together in holy matrimony on November 29th, 1959 at age 19. During row days, Agnes would usually hit him a low blow by telling him “you were so desperate for a wife you bought my wedding dress”. They got off on this often, but would go to bat with anyone who dared attempt to get in between them. This bond was inseparable and unique, a union that weathered many storms, but held strong through them all. To date, and true to their commitment “until death do us part”, they celebrated 63 years of marriage up to his passing. This union was blessed with thirteen children, 10 via marriage, three by extension.
We celebrate the faithfulness of God when we consider their closeness, particularly how he separated them in death in a state of mind where neither mourned the loss of the other. We oftentimes feared how either one of them would survive void of the other, but God, in all of his infinite grace and wisdom, made it a seamless transition on the part of both of them.
Agnes was blessed to have a husband who promoted her to the position of housewife. His boast was that she “never worked a day in her life”. While she did not work on a job, she was by far the best homemaker and wife a husband could ask for. Mac oftentimes praised and celebrated her for this. His children were equally as spoiled. Beatings from him were rare, and when Agnes took on her well-executed role as disciplinarian, he softened the “blows” with trips to Lenny’s Convenience Store for ice cream and anything else his darlings wanted. Weekends with him were always highly anticipated – KFC or Dirty’s on Nassau Street were the hot spot treat favorites. Two to three persons were oftentimes needed to tote the numerous bags of conch and chicken snacks he purchased. However many the children wanted, they were readily able to order. Christmas time was never a good time to visit the home, as the living room chairs were booked out with presents for the children leaving very limited to no space for visitors to embrace a seat. To say that he loved and catered to his wife and children immensely would be understating his acts of service and love towards them.
Mac was a philanthropist at heart. His numerous acts of service are too many to document. He assisted many who were deprived, from food and clothing, to recovery of house mortgages and more. His home was a shelter for many, especially family members who traversed from the family island in search of a place of dwelling. No was never an answer, and however the rooms became crammed, they were crammed. The children grew to understand and accept this, and we all became one happy bunch in what grew to become regular occasions. The pots too were stretched, and whether little or much, no one went hungry. He loved his parents-in-law unconditionally and spared nothing to facilitate requests and needs requested or identified.
He was a great neighbor and advocate. The Yellow Elder Gardens community is ever indebted to him for his relentless efforts to improve the sewer system and infrastructure which they currently enjoy.
Mac possessed an ability to self-defend that was unmatched. He was well-versed in the law and exercised his right in this regard well.
He oftentimes asked for his children and grandchildren to read the Bible to him. It was during one of these readings by his granddaughter Aaliyah, at the home of his daughter Arlene, that Arlene led him to a personal relationship with the Lord. He readily accepted the invitation.
His health began to deteriorate subject to aging. It grew progressively worst in April of this year resulting in limited mobility and communication. He was admitted to hospital on September 27th. At 3:30am on October 11th, he transitioned from this side of the vineyard.
Hearts are eternally broken at the loss of this amazing husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, family member, neighbor, friend.
His memories will forever be grafted in the hearts of his wife: Agnes Marie,
Children and their spouses: Philip (Ellareese – estranged), Prescott, Kirkley, Jason Burrows, Theresa (Zendall) Rahming, Letecia (Philip) Deveaux, Maxine (Carlton) Sands, Emmaline (Steven) Duncombe, Minister Arlene (James) Anderson, Karen (Geoffrey) Dugay , Betty Ann (Shannon) Rolle, Lorrie Ann (Brent) Hanna;
Grandchildren: Philip, Brandon, Tinaj, Tarae, Jude, Taylor, Jaden, J’Ariel, J’Arien, Janiyah, Presca, Presanique, Philipa, Elmore, Lorenzo, Brittney Burrows, Andre (Waynette) Rahming, Deangelo (Amanda) Johnson, D’Andra (Anton) Clarke, Carlisa Gray, Philicia Deveaux, Camille (Linward) Knowles, Darron, Cameron, Dustin, PC 4305 Quinton Sands, LaVonda (Robert) Meadows, Sebastian (Tamara) Sands, Agnes (Raymond) Cumberbatch Daisy (Tyga) McKenzie, Teniece Sands, Simone (Alfred) McKenzie, Tiffany (Clayzon) Morley, Paige, Jamarl, Aaliyah Anderson, Kadian (Jessica), Kadia, Kalia Duncombe, Teliah Glass, Heavenique & Samuel Wright, Perez Wallace;
39 Great-grandchildren: DeAntae, Samya, Nathan, Asia, Sharand, Clayzon Jr., Kimora, Brandon Jr, Wayanne, Wayanna, Andrae Jr, Alyssa, Deangelo Jr., Dylan, Tiarra, A’Niah, Ameer, Edvardo, Amira, Nevaeh, Layah, Andre’, Lavar, Ramayah, , Robert Jr. LaVon, Camiyah, Samara, Seriyah, Ethan, Ryan, Rayne, Arria, Alessia, Dwight, Shirniah, Jayce, Israel;
Brother: Captain Edwin (Whyomie) Burrows,
Sister: Madge (Edwin) Turnquest,
Sisters-in-Law: Thelma Thompson, Bridgette (Troy) Ward, Jasmine “Jazz” Sands, Miriam (Julio) Ortez-Mendez, Jasmine Sands,
Brothers-In-Law: Gregory (Mavis) Sands, Canon Kirkley (Celpha) Sands, Derek (Claudia) Sands;
Numerous nieces and nephews including: Denise Bethel, Janet Minnis, Esther Knowles, Tanya & Pedrosa Turnquest, Dedrianne Smith, Patrick & Edwin Burrows Jr, Savannah Anias, Sheaderon “Shane” Thompson,
Other relatives and friends including: Keisha Delaney, The Yellow Elder Gardens community, Charlotte Ridge Community, Sands Family, Carl Gray, Martin Grant, and many others too numerous to mention.
Special thanks to his special caregivers, including, but not limited to: Drs. Vernard & Nevillene McPhee and the staff of New Hope Medical Center, Staff of the Fleming Street Clinic, staff of Med/Surg West @ PMH, Keva Ferguson, Karen McCleod, Betty-mae Williams, Attorney Gia Moxey-Lockhart, Pastor Kendyce Moss-Moultrie and the Officers/Members of Shiloh Abundant Life Ministries, Presanique, Teliah, Justin, J’Ariel, J’Arien, Jaden, The Duncombe Family, Nutritionist Yvette Strachan, Nurses Angela Young and Shenique Laing. If your name was inadvertently omitted please charge it to our hands not our hearts.
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