It came just short of a national funeral for Karle T. Smith, 56, whose Service of Thanksgiving was held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday, September 20, witnessed by a mammoth crowd from all walks of life. He died on September 9.
An ardent Seventh-day Adventist, with a passion for young people, the youthful-looking “Karle T”, as he was sometimes called, was not only a stalwart in the church, but in the community as well where he was a lover and friend of all. A contractor, having built more than thirty homes and villas across Anguilla, according to his eulogy, he was a 2008 – awardee of a Badge of Honour and a Queen’s Certificate for Social Development presented by the Anguilla Government.
A young man of immense promise, popularity and industry, he blossomed into a figure of national prominence. His influence, active life and philanthropy extended from his home community of Island Harbour across the rest of Anguilla resulting in a multiplicity of friends and acquaintances. Despite a busy schedule, one of his areas of community service had been that of a Special Constable in the Royal Anguilla Police Force. In recognition of this, his body was borne inside and outside the SDA Church, and at the Sandy Hill Cemetery, by a contingent of Special Constables and regular members of the Police Force, a fitting honour and tribute to him. It was only within the last four years of his life that he slowed down while courageously battling with an illness.
Glowing tributes were paid to him by a number of persons, involved in pastoral ministry, public life and community life during the funeral. One of them was Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, who spoke on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla.
“I have heard him affectionately referred to as the Mayor of Island Harbour. He certainly portrayed that sense of responsibility within the community,” the Chief Minister said. “During the year of the Anguilla Revolution, Karle would have been for the most part a mere child – seven years old. But he was a child of the Revolution and lived in the service of promoting the same goals and aspirations of Anguillians of that period.”
Mr. Banks continued: “The late Karle T. Smith’s contribution to our communities from Island Harbour to West End is legendary – as all the tributes since his untimely passing have extolled. His life was one of selfless giving for the good of country and, as a consequence, he made every issue about Anguilla his issue – and he was never reluctant to express his opinion on any forum.”
Among other things, the Chief Minister added: “…We gathered here as a government and people to pay tribute to this legacy of dedication, humanity and service of a fallen patriot who, like so many other outstanding Anguillian awardees, was willing to go the extra mile, even at great personal sacrifice, to advance and promote the development of this ‘rock’ we call Anguilla.”
Earlier, former Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes, commented that the massive size of the congregation was “the greatest tribute that any people could pay to a person as great as Karle T. Smith.” He spoke about Karle’s notable contributions to Anguilla and urged his listeners to emulate his example.
Mr. Terry Harrigan, First Nominated Member in the Anguilla House of Assembly, and one of Karle’s former teachers, as well as an Island Harbour resident, spoke about Karle’s involvement in the political life of Anguilla. “Island Harbour and the rest of Anguilla will miss a great man, and all political parties and candidates will miss this great political foot soldier – a wonderful person and a man imbued with honesty and compassion,” he said in part.
Resident SDA Minister, Pastor Trent Berg, commenced the main part of the funeral service, saying he admired the outpouring of love for the late church member, whose generosity and way of life had touched the lives of so many people on the island. Other officiating Clergy comprised two other Adventist Ministers, Pastor Trevor Smith and Pastor Kumal Smith and Pastor Gareth Hodge of the Hilltop Baptist Church.
The homily was delivered by the late Karle T. Smith’s son, Pastor Trevor Smith, now furthering his studies at Andrews University in Michigan. He told about his father’s love for family, the church and Christian living, and his caring concern for the young people whom he desired to live Godly and exemplary lives.
At the graveside, clusters of colourful balloons were released into the air, by family members supported by others from the Island Harbour community, as an act of ceremony and farewell to Karle who was a mentor to many persons in the district. In a way, the balloons constituted a good substitute for the gun salute usually given by the police when a national hero/heroine is laid to rest in Anguilla. The inside of the tomb was painted in the island’s national colours.
