Territory bids farewell to Terrance B. Lettsome

 By Mellica McPherson

Its was a very sad occasion on Friday 19 January as persons from throughout the various sectors within the BVI community gathered at the Legislative Council Chambers to bid farewell to the late statesman, Hon. Terrance Burkley Lettsome. The flag at the Council Chambers flew at half mast on Friday as old and young made their way into the doors of the Council to say a rather emotional goodbye to a great man. At the end of the day the BVI flag was presented to Mrs. Claudia Lettsome, his widow.  Many family members and friends attended the ceremony.

Those who were unable to pay their respects to Mr. Lettsome while he laid in state on Friday, made their way to Long Look on Saturday 20 January to be a part of the ‘royal home-going‘ service that was held in his honor and memory at the Long Look Methodist Church. 

A truly large congregation, perhaps 1,000 or more, attended the ceremony that was officiated by Reverend E. Lloyd Brissett, Reverend Moreland Williams, Reverend Edris O’Neal, and Reverend Keith Lewis.

Hon. T.B Lettsome was born on the 11 March, 1935, and departed this life on the 12 January, 2007.

In a printed tribute His Excellency Governor David Pearey stated that “with the passing of Terrance Lettsome the BVI has lost one of its foremost statesmen, and we are all the poorer for it.” “Though I never met Terrance Lettsome his was a name that frequently arose when conversations turned to examples of outstanding leadership, and his memory and legacy will survive long after his death. For it is on the shoulders of people such as Terrance Lettsome that a healthy democracy is built. His commitment to service, his devotion to the people of his constituency in the Seventh District, his tenacity as a legislator, his determination as Minister, his unassuming but pugnacious character, and his tireless involvement in so many aspects of political life in the BVI are all aspects of the Lettsome legend that had already started to develop long before his death,” Governor Pearey added.

Chief Minister, Dr. Hon. D. Orlando Smith said that the late Hon. Lettsome was a pioneer: “Thanks to the vision, the sacrifice and the endless optimism of Mr. Lettsome and his kind, we are a thriving place,” Dr. Smith stated.

The BVI Leader mentioned that in Hon. Lettsome’s passing we mourn the loss of a true visionary. “Mr. Lettsome will be missed, he challenged the BVI to answer the call again, and to create our own legacy as proud and as forward-looking as that which was left to us.”

Speaker of the Legislative Council, Hon. V. Inez Archibald reminded us that Hon. Lettsome served as a Member of the Legislative Council for 28 years, from 1963-1971, and 1979 to 1999. “During those years, Mr. Lettsome served in various capacities: Minister for Communications and Utilities; Opposition Member; Deputy Speaker; and Government Backbencher. In 1999, Mr. Lettsome took the unusual step of retiring from Public Service leaving his name inscribed on the Territory’s newly-expanded airport – eloquent testimony of the esteem in which he was held,” Hon. Archibald commented.

Deputy Governor, Dancia Penn-Sallah stated that Mr. Lettsome was the last surviving Member of the Fifth Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands, the life of which was from 1963-1937. “As our pioneer and longest serving Minister of Communications and Works, much of the development of the infrastructure of these islands was entrusted to him. He marshaled all of his qualities and the limited resources available at that time to help to deliver much of what we all take for granted today—an extensive network of public roads, potable water, fire service, police stations throughout the islands, Territory wide distribution of electricity, seaports and airports, sewage disposal, and a reliable telephone service,” Mrs. Penn-Sallah wrote.

In another printed tribute, Minister of Communications and Works, Hon. Elmore Stoutt commented that “in 1967 the Ministerial form of Government was introduced in the British Virgin Islands and the first Minister for Communications and Works was appointed in the person of Terrance B Lettsome.” This, Hon. Stoutt explained meant that attention would be paid to the Territory’s infrastructural developments.

Leader of the Opposition and Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Chairman, Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal said that “when the history of Brother Terrance Burkley Lettsome is researched and the drama of his life unfolds his years of unstinting service to his constituency and the people of the BVI, it will be concluded that he was indeed a great man, a man who knew what his purpose was and who worked towards that.” In his tribute at the home-going service Hon. O’Neal noted that Hon. Lettsome was never interested in too much pomp and ceremony, instead — Lettsome was more concerned about getting the job done, and getting rid of red tape and unnecessary meetings; as well as serving the people who elected him. Those, O’Neal emphasised, were his priorities.

The late Hon. Terrance Lettsome was a Member of the Legislative Council from 1963-1999, and was the Representative for the Seventh Electoral District.  He was born in Long Look to Francis H. Lettsome and Frances Lettsome nee Thomas, and was the ninth of eleven children.

Mr. Lettsome received his early education at the Long Look Infant School and the East End Methodist School. He answered God’s call in 1955 and had been a faithful Methodist local preacher since 1956.  After school, Hon. Lettsome worked as a fisherman, farmer, contractor and entrepreneur, locally and overseas.

Among the major challenges that arose during his very long term in office were: the crisis of the Wickham’s Cay/Anegada Agreements; and the Late H.  Lavity Stoutt’s dream of a local College.  Mr. Lettsome’s commitment to the improvement of the standard of living for all indigenous Virgin Islanders was evident to the end. As a tribute to his outstanding record of service it was announced by the Legislative Council that the Beef Island Airport, the main airport, will carry his name. His final words are “although I am now retired from public service, I’ll never retire from God’s service until I die.”

The extremely popular T.B. Lettsome is survived by his wife Mrs. Claudia Lettsome. His children: Bertrand Lettsome, Ifield Lettsome, Raymeo Lettsome and Jacob Lettsome; Sisters: Grace Ann, and Elphene Lettsome; daughter-in-law Anna Marie Lettsome; sons-in-law Gregory Tye, and Eldred Scatliffe; brothers-in-law Leslie Malone, Alred Frett, Gaverson Frett, Kermit Frett and Attley Frett; sisters-in-law Louise Lettsome, Eda Lettsome, Mera Lettsome, Carol Lettsome, Adalia Lettsome, Lynden Smith, Huldah Parker, and Audrey Weston; Grandchildren Avery Percival, Sequan Lettsome-White, Akima Lettsome, Adonijah Lettsome, and Ariane Tye; special nieces Juliette Wheatley, Sonia Lettsome, Genevere Benjamin, and Joyce Lettsome; special cousins Christalia Lettsome, and Marie Frett-Wheatley; godmother Oxelina Chalwell; and many friends and relatives too numerous to mention.

The publishers, management and staff of The Island Sun newspaper wish to extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved.