The casket carrying the body of Barbados’ longest-serving head of state, Sir Clifford Husbands, being lifted out of the St. Lucy Parish Church to be laid to rest in the church’s cemetery, next to his wife Ruby Lady Husbands. His children and official dignitaries are walking behind the casket.
Former Governor General, Sir Elliott Belgrave (left), greeting the son of the late Sir Clifford Husbands, Anthony Husbands (right), before the start of yesterday’s funeral service.
Laid to rest
OFFICIAL dignitaries, distinguished Barbadians, and members of the public joined the relatives of the late Sir Clifford Husbands, 91, at the St. Lucy Parish Church, to bid farewell to Barbados’ longest-serving Governor General, yesterday.
The rain fell for most of the morning, but the showers did not stop the state funeral from being successfully executed.
The funeral procession for the former Governor General departed Lyndhurst Funeral Home, Passage Road, St. Michael, at 7:45 a.m. The procession, which was accompanied by pallbearers from the Barbados Defence Force and outriders from the Royal Barbados Police Force, arrived at the church around 8:30 a.m., just a few minutes after the deceased’s children Laura, Sandra Dawne Taylor and Anthony, and his eldest granddaughter Maya Taylor, arrived and took their positions at the entrance to the church, where they greeted the officials.
Head of State, Acting Governor General Sir Philip Greaves, Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, and Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson were among the top officials who attended the funeral.
Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Member of Parliament for St. Lucy Denis Kellman, and other members of the Cabinet were also in attendance.
Several Senators, including President of the Senate Kerryann Ifill, were also in attendance. Members of the Opposition, including Cynthia Forde, Jeffrey Bostic and Santia Bradshaw, also paid their last respects.
Former Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave and his wife Loretta Lady Belgrave, and former Prime Minister Owen Arthur also attended the service.
Former Governor General Private Secretary, Patricia Layne, who worked with Sir Clifford for many years, was also one of the many who signed the condolence book.
The service, which started promptly at 10 a.m., lasted for just over an hour.
The tribute, which was written by Sir Clifford’s daughter Laura, was read by Queen’s Counsel Brian Clarke. The Sermon was delivered by Reverend Canon Noel Burke.
Following the service, Sir Clifford was buried in a grave next to his wife of 50 years, Lady Ruby Husbands who died in 2009, in the church’s cemetery.
Sir Clifford passed away on October 11. He served as Governor General for 15 years, from 1996 until October 2011.
The funeral was co-ordinated by Government Senator, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo. (AH)