March 23 2002

Mr. Rhymer was born June 17th, 1909. In his early childhood, he attended private school at Martin’s Estate and later went on to the Cane Garden Bay Methodist Church School. He however had to leave at an early age to help his mother care and provide for his younger siblings. He also assisted her at the distillery where she worked.

He left the BVI at age 18 and migrated to Santo Domingo where he worked in the sugar cane fields. However, after spending only a few years, he returned home to care for his ailing mother, who died in his arms while he was feeding her.

On August 2nd, 1939, he married the late Sylvanita Turnbull of Meyers Estate, a union that produced nine children, of which one daughter and four sons are alive today. She preceded him in death six years ago in the month of March.

Mr. Rhymer is being remembered as a faithful husband and father, a hard worker who assisted many farmers as they took turns working the ground to plant their crops and burn coal.

He was also employed in the US Virgin Islands at Bournfield and for the Lockhart families on St. Thomas and at Caneel Bay Plantation on St. John. On his days off from his regular jobs, he repaired shoes for families and friends. He eventually returned to Tortola on his retirement and went into farming full time.

Mr. Rhymer was a member of the Road Town Methodist Church and attended regularly with his wife until her passing and subsequently until poor health prevented him from doing so. 

He died Friday March 1st and leaves to mourn his daughter Ethlin Rhymer Smith, sons Vanley, Stanley, Danley and Ottley Rhymer Sr., grandchildren Austin, Gary, Sherry, Geofrey, Ebony, Elleson, Vaden, Ottley Jr. and Shawn Rhymer and Rochelle and Roy Smith.

He had three great grandchildren, two daughters in law, sisters Idalia Kirby, Rosita Hodge, Maude Henley and Josephine Thompson, Brothers Ceto and Rupert Rhymer, several sisters in law and brothers in law, cousins and special friends.

The family of the late Thomas Wellington Rhymer expresses sincere appreciation to all who sent wreaths, made a phone call, said a prayer or expressed sympathy in other ways.

Condolences are extended from the publishers, management and staff of The Island Sun newspaper.