Just as in past years, at the Hilltop Baptist Church, the passionate voice of Pastor Davis Lloyd resonated across the expansive conference room at the Royale Caribbean Hotel a few year days ago. It was there that he and his wife were honoured on Sunday evening, September 30, the eve of his 87th birthday.
He was at the time responding in words of encouragement and exhortation to a series of tributes to him and his wife, Mrs. Matile Lloyd, 86, for their exemplary lifetime contribution to Anguilla’s revolution, government and spiritual, social and economic development.
Now retired at their Island Harbour home, the couple had not been seen in the wider public for a considerably long time until last Sunday’s National Service of Celebration in their honour.
The mass-attended event was sponsored by the Anguilla Evangelical Association, the Anguilla Social Security Board, Royale Caribbean Hotel and Malliouhana/Anico Insurance Company (MAICO), in collaboration with the Government of Anguilla, the Anguilla Development Board and the Anguilla Christian Council. The entrance of the couple was marked by a fanfare by the Royal Anguilla Community Police Band which followed the singing of the National Anthem and the National Song.
The event was moderated by former Minister of the Central Baptist Church, Pastor Cecil Richardson, an early associate of Pastor Lloyd’s who described it as a very unique celebration and a commendable undertaking while the honourees were still alive. Another Minister, Apostle Lucien McDonna, of the Life Impact Centre, told the gathering that he was inspired by God to arrange the service of celebration to honour Pastor Lloyd both spiritually and nationally.
The main presentations about Pastor Lloyd were delivered on four fronts as follows: The first was delivered by Mrs. Olive Hodge who recalled his contribution to the Anguilla Revolution and his success in diffusing several situations which would have negatively impacted the Revolution. The second was by former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Marcel Fahie, who spoke about Pastor Lloyd’s involvement in the implementation and operation of the Anguilla Social Security System, and the Anguilla Development Board, both of which contributed significantly to the island in the areas of finance, business and social protection. The third presentation was made by Mr. Elliot Harrigan who looked at Pastor Lloyd’s boat building and seafaring skills, his various business ventures – including Harbour View Supermarket and an air transport service – and other contributions to Anguilla. The fourth presentation was delivered by Mr. Quincy Gumbs who addressed Pastor Lloyd’s pastoral and spiritual leadership.
Mr. Franklin Kelly Richardson and his wife, Mrs. Elfreda Richardson, paid particular tribute to Mrs. Matile Lloyd as “a loving and caring woman in the community, a good mother and a shining example to all.”
Other tributes and presentations to the celebrated couple were from Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council (read by Rev. Wilmoth Hodge); Pastor Philip Gumbs, President of the Anguilla Evangelical Association who presented Pastor Lloyd with a plaque; Mr. Timothy Hodge, Director of Social Security who was grateful to him for his strong guidance, leadership and prayers; and Mrs. Althea Hodge, Managing Director of the Anguilla Development Board.
Official tributes, printed in the programme booklet and read, were from the Elected Representative for Island Harbour and Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmovan Webster; the Governor, Mr. Tim Foy (read by Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley); and Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, who presented a plaque to Pastor Lloyd. In their tributes, the three officials reflected on Pastor and Mrs. Lloyd’s life and work and outstanding contributions to Anguilla and its people. There were also several written tributes from pastors of various churches on the island.
Responding, Pastor Lloyd expressed thanks and appreciation to his daughter, Mrs. Joan Hodge, and his son-in-law, Pastor Gareth Hodge – who has succeeded him as Pastor of the Hilltop Baptist Church – for their caring love; and to Pastor McDonna who initiated the celebration. He specially thanked the Evangelical Association and the Christian Council for their support and called for a gathering of all ministers for whom he prayed – as well as for all others at the National Service. His powerful and unfaltering voice brought back memories of the fervor and influence he was known for at the Hilltop Baptist Church when delivering his sermons.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Pastor Gareth Hodge – followed by the closing prayer by Pastor John Gumbs of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, and the recession by the Royal Police Force Community Band. The formal National Service climaxed with refreshments for the large gathering.
