I looked up to this family friend.  Stephen always had a project, a plan or a programme he was attending to, and as far as I could remember, when he had it he would often say: “Carvey I need to see you I have a project for you.  And don’t worry about the money Carvey”.  Stephen never let up; he would call and call until he got me.  He was very persistent. But, it was still a shock and surprise when he told me just a few months ago, ‘Carvey, I have email’.  I laughed to tears when he told me this as I remembered it was just a few months before that he gave me his cell number, informing me that he too could text and keep in touch.  Well if you knew Stephen, I might have gotten him to answer that phone once.
 
Stephen was, like I said, a man of second chances.  He was elected the People’s Warden at St. Matthew’s and was appointed at a time when active participation was low.  I would remember when I returned to active involvement in the church, Stephen who served on every committee of the church, called me up and said to me, “Carvey, I have a job for you”.  This was at a time when I had given up on almost everything that was Church related, and so when I quietly returned to the Parish of my Christian birth, I met up with this friend of my father and me.  He saw that I joined the renewal programme, Discovery.
 
I could remember that ‘bliss-filled’ time at Discovery XIII and the theme: ‘Revealing the Christ…who do you say I am?’ in November 2004.  I experienced a rebirth at that time, and before I knew it, Stephen had coached me into action.  He and Mr. Thomas Evans worked me on the ‘Foundations of Faith committee, and before that dust had settled the People’s Warden was backing my election to the Vestry.  Stephen, the Junior Warden really was a builder for the Kingdom.
 
I could remember one Monday morning ‘Daddyo’ called me to up and said, “Carvey I know you can handle this one, I need a book printed, for next week Friday”.  And I, being a young printer said eagerly, “send me the disk”.  It was then that he appeared sad and said, “But, you need to meet me at the place where the artist is putting the booklet together”.

Well, when I got there the book was still being put together.  The content was still being gathered.  Just 10 working days from printing, the text was still being written.
 
I laughed and said to Stephen, “you must be kidding”, but he was serious, saying repeatedly; “Carvey, we’ve got to get this book out”.  And Stephen made certain it came out.

Two graphic artists and two writers were almost ‘imprisoned’ for three days including the following Sunday morning.  I remember telling Stephen, “Now you know this isn’t right, Sunday morning you got me working”.  His reply, “Carvey we making history here with the printing of this book and missing church”.
 
But that morning whilst I was so tired and fell asleep on the floor of the art room, I was awakened by Stephen, leading the Mass for just the five of us, and singing for the Ancient and Modern hymnal.  And yes, Stephen was the layman sitting as the minister of the hour who passed what I called, his ‘Bishop’s blessing’ on us!
 
When I began to print the JUNKANOO EXPLORER, I sought Stephen’s advice and there he took me to his archived collection of Bahamian history, his many articles of Bahamian personalities and world leaders.  One he could not get over and showed repeatedly to me was his photo with Nelson Mandela.

He gave me a guide as to what we should present and how the paper should be shaped for the future.  That lasting advice is held close to my chest.
 
Added to his active church and business dealings was his involvement in politics.  I often said to Stephen, “Daddyo, you’re really the politician that never was.  It was with that political tact, that as the People’s Warden he would often rise in an impromptu address to the congregation after the Rector would have finished the notices.  This was certainly to me a Parliamentary skill, and for this I called him ‘The Governor’.

Stephen knew everyone in the political landscape from both political parties and yes, in the day when he was a member of the CDR he stood with friends at the centre.
 
This 2007 election season will certainly miss Stephen.

His command of the stage, with wit and a simple smile will also be missed.  My jog around the corner to his residence for advice will be missed; his announcement of the hymns and singing the mass whether it was 10 AM or Evensong services or Thursday morning masses, taking up the collection and his blessing of that offering, reminiscent of Archbishop Gomez, that too will be a missed. Or his greeting with as many members of the congregation at St. Matthew’s during the peace, as he would leave his seat to shake hands with everyone.  Or the morning coffee hours after mass, where we plot work for the next week, I will certainly miss.  Or his quick wave in his GOLD or new white trans and his shout, ‘Carvey call me’ is already a cherished memory.
 
Stephen “Daddyo” Mitchell just had it all. His riches were not in money or friends but in a peace that he shared with everyone.  I recall a morning stroll up the north side of the St. Matthew’s cemetery on the Thursday morning before his sudden illness.  He and I entered that gate at the same time and he told me he was going away.  All of a sudden, Stephen was hailing and calling by name those who lay resting, “Hey Anne, and Milo, and Tommy”.  As we walked up he called all by name.  This amazed me and made me conclude that he was a true friend to everyone he knew. Stephen was truly the People’s WARDEN at St. Matthew’s, for the living as well as the departed.  As we reached the door of the church he said this as he entered those church doors for the last and final time, “Carvey remember; they are only sleeping!”
 
Sleep on my brother Stephen, take your rest, and as you enter that great cloud mansion in the sky to bask in the presence of the God whom you served so faithfully and well in life.  Never staggering in your belief that you must work to enter His glorious kingdom.  We shall miss you and all the kind and indelible impressions you have left on our hearts. YES, you have served us all well!  In HIS NAME AMEN!