Reverend Stephen André Gittens remembrance page and online condolences

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Memories (56)
Condolences (379)

Reverend Stephen André Gittens

April 25, 1962 - January 8, 2022

The administrator of this page is William Gittens

Reverend Stephen André Gittens of Rogers Road Government Hill, St. Michael formerly of Martinique Road, Age 59 years, Teacher of Grantley Prescod Memorial School, Attended St. Giles Boys School,Parkinson Memorial, and Graduated University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Evangelist, Marriage officer and Former Pastor of Gittens’ Gap Fellowship Church Consellor and Mentor to many individuals and church assemblies across the island.Member of the Barbados Evangelical Association, the Barbados Scrabble Association and Friend of the Interschool Christian Fellowship Husband of Laura Cecilia Gittens (formerly of KPMG) and Beloved father of Ramon Stephen Alexander Gittens, student of Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology Son of the late Charles Gittens Sexton of St. Cyprian Church and Ira Gittens of Carrington Weslyan Holiness Church Brother of Shurland Mayers(USA) , Emerald Gittens, Arnott Gittens, William Gittens, Mark Gittens (deceased), Cheryl Prescod, Charles Bailey, Marcella Beckles, Monty Johnson(USA) and Ricardo Simmons, Brother-in law of Merline Mayers(USA) , Magnola Gittens, Wayne Prescod, Nephew of Louis Rock (UK)Collin Rock(USA), David Bruce,Clifford Mayers, Gloria Gittens, Leonard Mayers (UK)and Myrtle Blackman Uncle of Kevin Mayers(USA),Lisa and Laron Gittens,John Prescod,Philip and Antonio Beckles, Elizabeth Parris. Cousin of Joy Mayers, Donna Archer,Jacquline Clarke,Paul and Peter Nichols(USA), Ambrozine Grimes St.Clair, Pat,Dennis,and Wayne Gittens, Kathy Baynes Rock (USA) Gail Townsend(USA)Avis Dyer(USA) Esme Watson (UK) the late Dianna Mayers,and many others. Close friend of Trevor Millington, Stewart Russell, Dr. Irvine Branker, Alfred King, Andrew Sealy, Rev. Dr. Nigel Taylor, Rev. Patrick Drakes The Millington, Russell, Branker families, Martinique Road Community and many others

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2022-01-31 02:42:12 View / Comment (0)

McKee

McKee

McKee

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Stephen, why you don't come for Karen?" That was a call for help (usually from Yolande Alleyne and a few others) whenever I was out of order. Stephen's response was the same everytime! He would pause whatever conversation he was in. Look over at me. Shake his head with a big, long steupse, and reply to the others: "Man she! Don't worry 'bout she, you hear wha' I tell you. Man, when God ready for she..." And he would go back to his conversations with no further response even if someone else tried. But why would they call on him for help? Stephen Gittens was a young evangelist going to various churches in Barbados, and other countries preaching the Word of God. I was a ball of fire somewhere, way over the other side of the fence, and who hadn't stepped into a church for over 10 years. I was feisty when I got ready, fearless, and I always loved to have a good laugh. Although it would appear that we were very different, Stephen became my closest friend at Erdiston Teachers' Training College, where we met, as part of the 1987-1989 cohort. Stephen was always so full of laughs and he had this distinct way of talking that if you didn't start off laughing, you would certainly end up there. Tears dropped as I thought of Stephen being gone from us. But when I look back on our interactions, in the midst of tears, I still smiled or even cackled a bit. I can't explain this. You would've had to experience a conversation with Stephen to understand. Every greeting with a male started with, "Old man..." and he made up his own nick names for you, whether or not you wanted one. What made me cackled the most was remembering when Mr. Roett's bread van showed up at the college every day. Lawd havis mercy!! lolol. Stephen wasn't missing that bread van. I also cackled at our conversations, and arguments sitting outside on his front steps, when I passed thru Welches. I had my strong opinions, Stephen had opinions too, but added wisdom. But never did I have to behave, or be, like someone else. Stephen accepted me for who I am.I was pregnant with my daughter, when we first met, and Stephen would then be the Reverend to bless her, and dedicate her unto the Lord. (Caribbean Christening). In 2017, I was bringing a group of entrepreneurs from North America and the UK to Barbados, and Stephen would help me organize a volunteer project for our travelling group. We did a Storytelling session with students from his school. I'm thankful that birthdays, Mothers day, and Christmas seasons never passed by without Stephen reaching out. We continued our banter over whatsapp. My greatest appreciation of Stephen will always be his life's demonstration of how to be a Christian and live amongst others, while loving them despite any differences, and maintaining your Christianity. Ohhh and yes, Stephen was right! When God was ready for me, because I didn't think I was ready for God at the time, but when he was ready for me, I said, "Yes." Stephen was one of the first people I called to share that news. I offer my condolences to his wife Laura, his Bird and wifey from all the way back then. I also offer my condolences to all of his other family members. Stephen, your voice, your loud laughter, your jokes, your style of communicating, all live on here with us. We are already missing you, after the shock. but we also understand that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." So we'll just say, Bye for now and Thank you!!!!

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2022-01-30 14:58:10 View / Comment (0)

Tavia Drakes

Tavia Drakes

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I remember meeting Stephen many years ago, and, with reserve and in innocence, walking up to him and asking, "Do you wear contacts?" as his eyes were light brown. He rocked his head back and LAUGHED... He thought my question was so hilarious. From then, my name was 'Contacts'. I cannot help smiling as I type this. It was always an absolute joy to be around him. May he rest in peace.

2022-01-29 01:35:07 View / Comment (0)

William Gittens

William Gittens

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TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER STEPHEN GITTENS I am greatly honoured to offer these few words in tribute to my very dear brother and true friend Stephen Gittens, but I am deeply saddened by the circumstances in which I am doing so. For some days after learning of Stephen’s passing, I struggled in equal measure with shock and disbelief. When finally I accepted the fact, my first thought was that he and my wife Tranceita must be having a grand reunion of friends in the heavenly realm, for they shared a consuming passion for the things of God. Stephen was the product of a godly father and a deeply spiritual mother, Ira Louise, both of whom must certainly be ecstatic at being reunited with their son, notwithstanding that we temporarily mourn here below. Mom Gittens was a saint to whom prayer and the study and sharing of God’s Word came as naturally as breathing, and Stephen was steeped to the gills in that noble triumvirate. Reared with the likes of Stewart Russell, Dr. Irvine Branker and Winston Moore in the then-Pilgrim Holiness Church in which I also grew up, Stephen, with his siblings and parents drank deeply from the anointed preaching of such Gospel giants as Reverend Colin West and Superintendent I. M. Wickham, Dr. A. Wingrove Taylor and Reverend Hamilton Taitt, all of whom are, like him, in God’s heavenly presence today. Well do I recall Stephen’s relating how, unable to land a job after leaving secondary school, every day for two years he spent hours upon hours doing nothing else but studying God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation, together with praying and fasting: in these he was truly Ira Gittens’s child, and it does no violence to the facts when one avers that Stephen, like Saint Paul, was taught by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The cumulative effect of this exposure to the Holy Spirit’s influence was, predictably, the pastor, preacher, teacher, leader, husband, father, faithful friend, family and marriage counsellor, and, above all, evangelist and mighty warrior for Christ whom the Devil hated and God’s children loved here at home and wherever else his ministry took him. Stephen lived for Christ and, like that early Spirit-filled evangelist after whom his parents so wisely named him, transitioned into heaven as he had lived on earth: in the midst of his earthly labours for Christ, he was called away by Christ to be with Christ. If, according to Proverbs 11:30, “He who wins souls is wise”, then Stephen was one of the wisest in that company of the wise: soul-winning was his passion; tearing down Satan’s strongholds his specialty. I am grateful that God allowed me to be a part of his endeavours in the earlier years of his ministry, both in accompanying him about the Island and in wreaking havoc on the purveyors of certain destructive doctrines: I am sure we all know whom I am talking about. But Stephen was wise in material matters as well. God led him to a good and godly lady, and I am very pleased to say that I strongly encouraged him to make that lovely lady his loving wife — which he most sensibly did. One never spent a dull moment with Stephen; he exuded energy and enthusiasm, good humour and sheer joie de vivre wherever he went; above all, his vibrant love for God and his fellowman. To his beloved widow Laura Cecilia, his son Ramon Stephen Alexander, his siblings, family, friends and associates, I offer my sincerest condolences. May we so live that we will one day be reunited with him in Christ’s heavenly presence. Alfred King Tuesday, January 25, 2022

2022-01-28 17:58:11 View / Comment (0)

William Gittens

William Gittens

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Eulogy of Reverend Stephen A. Gittens Church of the Nazarene Collymore Rock St. Michael Tuesday January 25, 2022 I want to say good morning to all of you who are gathered here to pay final respect to one that we call a giant of a man - the Reverend Stephen A. Gittens. To prepare and document a eulogy may not be the easiest thing for anyone to do at this moment because Stephen would have traversed in the short space of time that God has granted him life, the width and breadth of Barbados, impacting every facet of life in Barbados – social, religious, educational, sporting and maybe, other areas we may not be aware of. I am sure that there are many other areas that overlap. So today, I am going to do things a little different in presenting this multi-dimensional person that we will lay to rest a little later. Stephen was born on April 25th 1962 to loving parents Ira and Charles Gittens, and he was one of nine siblings. But if you had to know him, you would realize that being one of the younger ones would not have stopped him from excelling. I am going to be using excerpts from his wife, son and siblings to let you get a closer glimpse of who the person Stephen Andre Gittens really was… and even though I am sure many of us would like to share, I know that many of us would be able to identify in the areas that are being presented this morning just to remind us what a colossal person he was in every sense of the word. Stephen was a school teacher, a pastor, marriage officer, a counselor, the point man for the BEA Executive – especially when the president was unavailable, he was the person you would see fulfilling the mandate for the president. He was an all-round person. As I said earlier, it would be easy for us to understand him and his various attributes by drawing on the people who know him best – and that is what we hope to do this morning. I am going to use his brothers first. His brother Arnott states that he was very proud to call Stephen ‘brother’, because Stephen never failed to give support and generosity in the interest of anything that would be beneficial to his family. He was a very dedicated father, and this was clearly seen during the period of time when his son Ramon had to be hospitalized for an extended period. It was during this time, that we saw Stephen as father, exemplify the extraordinary caring spirit should which was very much part of who he was. The passion that he had and showed to his young students greatly enhanced the success that they achieved. And even though he was like that, Arnott said that they had some long conversations about world affairs and sports – cricket and politics, in particular – and they were very enthralling. So happy and so proud of his brother, he has now bestowed upon him the title ‘Sir Stephen’. On the numerous occasions they spoke via WhatsApp, Stephen always respected his brother by referring to him as ‘Sir’. Arnott wondered, but never asked why. He thinks it was perhaps indicative of the respect Stephen held for him although he was only five years his senior. In the quiet moments of this hour, Arnott joins with the others, thanking God for the life of service that Stephen would have shared with his fellowmen. We all agree with the sentiments, but then there is another brother, Emerald, with whom Stephen had a loving relationship because they shared many, many happy moments. In fact, Emerald brought out a side of Stephen that nobody knew, because, if there was a stone-throwing event at the Olympics, Stephen could have won it. Emerald reminisced about Stephen’s mischievous nature. I have seen a picture of a young Stephen, and yes – he did have a mischievous face. Emerald said that one night they were standing outside the door of their home, and Stephen started to throw some stones on his neighbour’s galvanized roof, and by the time the neighbour looked out, everybody disappeared – door closed, and a fit of laughter followed. Stephen was a comic when he was ready, but he could be depended upon to assist him, Emerald said, in any area he wanted. He loved the Lord from a very early age and he dedicated his life to His service. We go to another one that highlighted his buoyancy as a person – his other brother William. William called Stephen his baby brother in every sense of the word and stated that he was very passionate about the call of God on his life. And because of William’s job in media production, William saw him through lenses that only he could have seen. Through his lens, he often framed and captured Stephen as a scholar of the word, and as very judicious on issues such as sports, global affairs, social events and politics. William says that they conversed often on these matters and that in this regard he will never forget Stephen. Their bonding was grounded in the philosophy of their late parents who taught them to love people along with knowledge of and interpretation of the scriptures. I now go to his sister Cheryl. Cheryl says that Stephen had always been a strong support for her. Since she and Stephen were one year apart, she would jokingly tell her mother that she and Stephen should have been a twin. She has very fond memories of them cutting and sharing their birthday cake every year. Stephen was the life of the party whenever the family got together. She will certainly miss him when the group meets in the future for such gatherings. Cheryl could depend on Stephen for assistance in any area. He was outstanding in the counsel she received from him. She loved Stephen dearly. Even though she misses him, she knows that he is with mum and Dad in heaven looking down on the family. Ramon: “He was my father, my mentor, my teacher, my compass and most importantly, my first and very best friend”. Laura: “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning”. I do not know how many nights of weeping I have left but I live with anticipation for the joy that is promised when that morning comes. I have lost a true friend, and I know that there will not be another like him. He was my rock and I was his bird. He was a loving father that treasured his son, Ramon every day. He considered Ramon his miracle from God. His loved his students and friends with a depth and compassion that compelled him to give and sacrifice of his time and other resources, without ever complaining. Stephen knew he was never meant to be rich with material wealth but that his investment in the body of Christ would pay dividends way beyond his time here on earth. He valued his relationship with the Father above everything and everyone. He was sold out for Christ with no apology or regret. He always displayed the strength of his conviction in his God whom he knew, loved and served. In his final moments, as Ramon and I knelt beside him, Ramon was visibly shaken. His final words were to reassure Ramon that that all that was happening was not his fault and not to worry. And, in the twinkling of an eye, my husband, the father of my son, was gone. There was no time to even say goodbye. All we shared was a last look into each other’s eyes. Stephen was my blessing from God. And I thank Him for the time He lent him to me. I look forward to meeting with him again someday. I continue to draw courage from my husband’s example so that when God calls me, like my husband, and the apostle Paul, I might be able to boldly declare, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” [2 Timothy 4: 7]. Just a few things quickly… I believe that for some of us, myself included, maybe Stephen’s passing was not a total shock. I can speak for myself because a couple weeks ago, I happened to be at Stephen’s home, and before I departed, he said these words: “Patrick, don’t know how many more the Master will give me – maybe two, maybe five, maybe ten – it does not matter, but I endeavor to make sure that everything is in place. When I walked away, I said to myself, “Is Stephen getting ready to leave us?” I never shared it with anyone, but that was my feeling – that was my thought as I walked away. On Saturday January 8, 2022 I visited Dr. Taylor, and before leaving Dr. Taylor I said to him, “We are going to see Rev. Gittens.” He said, “You’re going to see him? Well take this hand of green bananas for him.” My wife and I set out. While we were heading to Stephen’s home, I asked my wife to call his number to make sure he was in. The phone rang and rang and rang – no reply. I thought that maybe we should not go because he was out, but we persisted, and found his vehicle there. I knocked on the door, and Ramon came to the door and said, “Uncle Patrick, hold on.” I waited for a while for Stephen to arrive at the door, and at one time I thought that maybe I would just leave – ask Ramon to tell his dad we were here and I would call him. For some reason, however, I could not leave. When Stephen came to the door, he said, “Boy, you should consider yourself lucky because I have not been coming to the door to address anyone.” He closed the door behind him and we proceeded to my vehicle. We talked and laughed and he made some comments. Then, on Sunday morning before I got out of my bed, Dr. Taylor called and said that Stephen and passed. I said to him, “Shocked, but not shocked.” There were things he said along the way that signaled that he maybe had a premonition about his leaving. This eulogy would be incomplete without mentioning two sayings of Stephen: “Hold strong!” “Hold this close to ya chest”. Finally, I want to say thanks to his wife Laura, son Ramon, and his brothers and sisters, and his family for the honor and opportunity of presenting this eulogy.

2022-01-28 17:55:48 View / Comment (0)

William Gittens

William Gittens

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My brother Stephen had always been a strong support for me. Being one year apart in age, he being born April 25th 1962, and I April 21st 1963, I would often jokingly tell my Mother we should have been a twin. I love the memories of us cutting and sharing our birthday cake year after year. Stephen, jovial as he was,was the life of our family get-togethers and I will surely miss him when we have our future family gatherings. In our adult life I could depend on Stephen to assist in any area even giving advice as needed. I love my brother dearly and I am going to miss him very much, but I know he is with Mum and Dad in Heaven looking down on us. Love you Stephen, Rest in Peace until we meet again.

2022-01-28 17:55:08 View / Comment (0)

William Gittens

William Gittens

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Tribute To My Little Brother Stephen Andre Gittens by Shurland God is good. Good morning to my brothers and sisters in Christ My Little Brother (that’s what I called Stephen, and he would respond yes Doc. So much so that Laura asked him if I was a doctor). Stephen was a humble young man who didn’t seek the spotlight; he preferred to sit in the back ground. When I left Barbados, Stephen was 18 years old so I only heard about his sermons from relatives and friends who paid glowing tributes to him. Such as “we could do with him in the USA he would be great; I would listen to him all day; he must perform my marriage ceremony; when I die I want him to conduct my service.” I would convey these sentiments to him and he would give his famous chuckle and say behave yourself. Stephen loved sports dearly, especially cricket; and as a youngster he would spend all day playing cricket during summer vacation. Our mum would have great difficulty getting him to come inside to eat. I took Stephen to Kensington Oval to see Australia Vs the West Indies. He never forgot that occasion and would give me a ball by ball description of the events that occurred that day

Reverend Stephen André Gittens

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William Gittens 2022-01-24 00:30:25 wrote:

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