Rev. Joseph Renurd Lloyd, born on March 9, 1934, died on January 1, 2022. A Service of Thanksgiving for his service-oriented life was held at the Ebenezer Methodist Church on the morning of Friday, February 4, 2022. A modest size crowd from the Anguillian community, and afar, gathered at the church to bid him farewell.
Officiating ministers for the solemn occasion were: Bishop Everald Galbraith, the Connexional President of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas; Bishop Charles Seaton, President of the Leeward Islands District; Rev. Vincia Celestine, Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Circuit; and Rev. E. Dunstan Richardson, Supernumerary Minister of the Anguilla Circuit.
Another renowned icon of Methodist ministry, who paid special tribute to this fallen soldier, was Bishop Theophilus Rolle, a longstanding pastor who had served in the Anguilla circuit for some period. The Formal Remembrance was presented by Brother Kenn Banks, and playing the organ were Lennox Vanterpool and Devaunie Richardson.
The choir sang immaculately. “Abide with Me”, conducted by Bro. Devaunie and backed up by Bro. Lennox, was sung in unique style with pristine vocal arrangement.
In presenting his tribute, Bishop Rolle spoke convincingly of Rev. Lloyd’s service and impeccable character. He said he was honoured to pay tribute to the Reverend, referring to him as a colleague, mentor and Father in the Faith. “The Reverend Joseph Lloyd leaves behind a legacy,” he said, “that will be forever etched in the annals of the history of his beloved island, Anguilla, and in the Methodist Church of the Caribbean and the Americas.
“Much can be said about his influence, the impact and the indelibility of his life and work prior to his pursuit of ministerial formation — and the fifty-plus years of ministry which followed. He will be remembered as an engaging teacher.
“Many will remember his effervescent laughter which, in addition to being contagious, brought a sense of calm and peace. Some will remember his diligent work shaping the lives of young men in the Boys Brigade. Still others will remember his persuasiveness with which he shared the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Rolle went on to point out the qualities of a man who was fearless in his judgment: “To me, he will forever be remembered as the quintessential pastor; a good listener; one who was caring and compassionate in heart; and a discerning spirit. He possessed the genuineness to value all people; a wise counselor; a skilled mediator; and fearless in his judgment.”
Another stirring tribute was given by Local Preacher, Stanford Richardson, who made mention of a list of the many types of community services given by Reverend Lloyd: “All of us as local preachers,” he reflected, “have stories of Reverend Joseph Lloyd’s impact on our own lives.
“For some, he was a teacher in Primary School or Sunday School. For others, he was a Boys Brigade Leader. In ministry, for some, he was a tutor as they prepared themselves for Preacher’s Exams. He was one whom you could talk with, and look up to, as we grapple with the issues of the day. But to all of us, he was that caring, compassionate pastor and trusted friend, in whose presence we always felt loved.”
Bishop Charles A. Seaton, who delivered Words of Comfort remarked that Reverend Lloyd sought to live by what he preached — the standard of the Word: “As we gather to celebrate the life of our departed brother, family member, colleague and friend, to say that we are of mixed emotions is indeed a gross understatement. Certainly, we are unanimous in agreeing that the Reverend Joseph Lloyd was a man of integrity who not only preached the Word, but sought to live by it as well,” he said.
In reading the Formal Remembrance, Bro Kenn Banks noted that Reverend Lloyd was a caring individual who assumed every role possible in the life of the church, and he impacted the lives of many Anguillian men.
He stated: “Reverend Lloyd grew up here at Ebenezer where he assumed every role possible in the life of the congregation—
Sunday School Superintendent; Boys’ Brigade Captain; Class Leader of Junior Guild and Wesley Guild; Choir Member; and a member of the Men’s Fraternal. He was also a teacher at The Valley Boys School where he was known as Teacher Noddy to his face, but ‘Noddy Shanker’ behind his back.
“He was a loving and caring disciplinarian. His life in Anguilla, prior to going off to seminary, was impactful both in church and in The Valley Boys School. To quote his colleague and friend, Rev. E. Dunstan Richardson, ‘the impact that Teacher Noddy/Rev. Lloyd had on the lives of the 2nd Anguilla Boys Brigade, those whom he taught at The Valley Boys School, those who heard his preaching, and those whom he helped during Summer vacation in their school work, is beyond human thinking.’
“The list of boys he impacted reads like a ‘Who is Who’ of Anguilla’s men, all of whom acknowledged the role he played in molding their young lives. The names of these men include: the late Professor Arthur Richardson; the late Professor James Richard Payne; the late Leroy Rogers; the late Captain Clayton J. Lloyd; Ralph Hodge, MBE; Dr. Lindel Brooks; Bishop Errol Brooks; the Honourable Victor Banks; Christian Richardson; Albertis Richardson; Bernard Richardson; Nat Hodge of The Anguillian, and the list goes on.”
Among the many scripture readings, one was by Bro. Neville Lloyd, the son of Reverend Lloyd. It was 2 Timothy 4:1-8 in which the Apostle Paul gave his testimony as he was coming close to the end of his life. A portion of that scripture states: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Delivering the sermon was Bishop Everald Galbraith of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). As a Guyanese Method Minister, he had been a close associate of Reverend Lloyd when he served in Guyana. He began by extending his condolences to Reverend Lloyd’s wife, Joan, and the rest of the family. Then he said: “Today the MCCA salutes this exemplary pastor and leader — a valiant but humble soldier of the cross who has been promoted to glory.”
“Reverend Lloyd and I shared a special bond,” he pointed out. “This could be credited to the fact that both of us — at different times, of course — started our ministry in the West Demerara Circuit of Guyana. In my association with him, I found him to be a very approachable, pleasant, loving, caring, and respectful person, irrespective of one’s age or status.”
The text of his sermon was the same scripture that was read by Reverend Lloyd’s son, Neville — 2 Timothy 4:8. His message was entitled “Facing Death with Confident Expectation”. He alluded to Paul’s declaration, which claimed with certainty and conviction, ‘ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.’”
“By confident expectation,” he said, “I mean having a strong sanguine hope or belief that good things are going to happen in the future.” He reiterated this statement as he sought to get the congregation to think heavenward. “As children of God we can wait, with an eager expectation, knowing that something good is coming our way, both in this life and especially in eternity with God.”
He explained that when Paul wrote those words of scripture to Timothy, his spiritual son, he was in prison awaiting his imminent execution. “In his reflective moments, Paul contemplated his earthly pilgrimage and ministry, and he confidently affirmed his faithfulness to his call. In his letter to his young mentee, Pastor Timothy, he assured him that he was satisfied that he did all God asked him to do. He described his life as an offering pour out on the altar to God…”
Then with an air of confident repose, Bishop Galbraith observed: “Today, we lay to rest Reverend Joseph Lloyd, an elder and statesman of the Kingdom of God. He fought the good fight; he finished his race; he kept the faith. Our brother departed this life with confident expectation. We commend him into the hands of Almighty God.”
The remains of Anguilla’s noteworthy teacher, mentor, pastor and friend, and stalwart of the faith, the Reverend Joseph Renurd Lloyd, was humbly, quietly laid to rest on Friday, February 4, 2022 at the Bethel Methodist Cemetery in South Hill.
The Anguillian tenders its most profound condolences to Reverend Lloyd’s bereaved family, relatives and associates. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
