The people of Anguilla, as well as others, in the rest of the Leeward Islands, and further afield, paused and reflected on the life and ministry of the beloved late Anguillian Methodist Minister, the Rev. Dr. Wycherly Gumbs, MBE, with whom they were associated in various spheres of life. He was laid to rest in Anguilla on Thursday, October 29, having suddenly passed away on September 4, at the age of 75.
Rev. Dr. Gumbs, L.Th, BA, M. DIV, M. Ed, PhD, was a former schoolteacher in Anguilla for five years from 1963, following which he entered the Ministry of the Methodist Church. He served for many years in the Leeward Islands District and rose to the position of Chairman and Secretary-General of the District. During his ministerial service, he also served in top level positions of education, including a High School Principal in Dominica and a lecturer at the University of the Virgin Islands. After a series of appointments in the region, he eventually returned to his native Anguilla in September 2013 and took up the appointment as Superintendent of the Methodist Circuit. Among other services, he served as Chairman of the Anguilla Christian Council and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School.
The extraordinary Anguillian was accorded a National Funeral by the Government of Anguilla. During the funeral service, honouring Rev. Dr. Gumbs, a posthumous Anguilla Badge of Honour Medal and a Queen Certificate were presented to his widow, Mrs. Stella Gumbs, on his behalf. The presentation was made by Premier Ellis Webster. He was recently awarded the MBE by Queen Elizabeth the Second for his services to the spiritual community and cultural heritage of Anguilla.
After giving a rundown of Rev. Dr. Gumbs’ life and work, Premier Dr. Ellis Webster said the Executive Council had approved a National Award and a National Funeral for the late remarkable Minister for his significant contribution to Anguilla. As a further mark of respect, flags were flown at half-mast and his body was borne to and from the church by a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
Leader of the Opposition, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, said that his calling, “as a leader and man of God endeared him to his community, parishioners, family and friends. His impact was not limited to Anguilla, but extended throughout the Caribbean and further afield.”
The funeral brochure was replete with glowering tributes from a number of local and regional church and community persons. They included Methodist Ministers and others from the Leeward Islands District, including the Anguilla Circuit; the Rt. Reverend Errol Brooks of the Anguilla Christian Council and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba; and Pastor Philip Gumbs, Chairman of the Anguilla Evangelical Association.
The Officiating Ministers were: Bishop Everald Galbriath, stationed in Antigua; Bishop Charles Seaton, stationed in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Rev. Dr. Joan Delsol Meade, stationed in Holland, all of whom spoke via video link. Those in Anguilla were: Rev. E. Dunstan Richardson, Rev. Dr. H. Clifton Niles, Rev. Joseph R. Lloyd, Rev. Wilmoth O. Hodge and Rev. Candis A. Niles.
The organists were Mr. Devaunie Richardson and Mr. Lennox Vanterpool.
The historic Ebenezer Chapel, the oldest Methodist Church in the Caribbean, still in use, was filled to capacity, as well as portions of the Church Hall and the courtyard, where a sizeable tent was erected. A reflection on his father’s life and contribution, and a message of thanks to all, was delivered by Mr. Mark Gumbs, one of the four children of the late Minister and Mrs. Gumbs.
Following the Service of Thanksgiving, the body of the late Rev. Dr. Gumbs was transported to the Bethel Methodist Churchyard Cemetery for interment. The CASKETwas borne to and from the Ebenezer Chapel and to the Bethel Cemetery by a contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. There, a Police Firing Party performed a gun salute as a parting honour to the beloved Minister.
Just before that, the National Flag which draped the casket was presented to Rev. Dr. Gumbs’ daughter Angela, climaxing the moving Service of Thanksgiving, honouring the life and service of the renowned Anguillian Methodist Minister.
