Yours truly confesses at the outset to having been confronted this entire week by the challenge of producing a tribute in one rendition to not just one extraordinary icon, Kenyetta “Burning Spear” Young, but to no less than three others who have gone to the great beyond: Warren Eugene Simmons senior, Arthur Levi Algernnon Pemberton and Gerry Gladwin Wilmot senior.

Apart from the foregoing there was the 52nd Annual Founders Day and Drum Major Awards Celebration of the Progressive Labour Party. Guest speaker Jamahl Snaith Simmons gave a fiery speech, followed just as forcibly by that of Party Leader, Marc Bean.

The Drum Major Awards arose from the belief of Dr Martin Luther King that “all men are created equal, but out of the many there are a few that rise above their fellowmen and become great”. Dr King declared he wanted to be a Drum Major for peace, justice and righteousness.

I was honoured with a Drum Major Award this year along with Ann Webb, Helena “Molly” Burgess, Belinda Cyrus, PLP Chairman Maynard Dill and the guest speaker’s wife, broadcaster Sherri Simmons.

In all my decades of covering local events, yours truly cannot recall anything so spectacular as the farewell march of the cortege of Kenyetta. His body had been lying in state at Union Hall all night. Union leaders bore it to the street level and colourfully clad Gombeys provided the beat for the hundreds en route to St Paul AME Church. Officiating at the three-hour service was Pastor Nicholas Tweed.

Scripture lessons were by friend Wendell “Scopsie” Hassell and daughter Laverne Simons. Sheila Smith rendered a musical tribute that in conclusion brought the congregation to their feet.

Parliamentarian Walter Roban led off the tributes, followed by BIU past president Ottiwell Simmons; Kenyetta’s first cousin and the BIU’s education officer Colin Simmons; Kenyetta’s granddaughter Renee Simmons and his daughter Angela Young. The latter two were most impressive, delivering eloquently and extemporaneously.

The eulogy by Rev Tweed was profound and soul-stirring, expounding on the tremendous scope of the Burning Spear’s grasp on life from a young age and the passion he had for his devoted wife Carolyn and their offspring.

A DVD of Rev Tweed’s eulogy was made by Fresh TV and is available to all.

The First Church of God on North Shore, Pembroke was packed to overflowing for the service celebrating the life of Warren Eugene Simmons senior.

Officiant at the service was Bishop Rev Dr Vernon Lambe senior. The opening prayer was invoked by Apostle Jimmie Denwiddie of the New Creation Worship Centre.

Warren was the third of four children born to Lloyd and Gloria Simmons. He was born October 3, 1949 and passed away April 3, 2015. His obituary, read by cousin Robert Horton, noted how the carefree days of his early childhood were spent living above the family-owned Simmons Ice Cream Factory on Manchester Street, Somerset, as well as a few weeks at his grandmother’s home in Devonshire.

He attended Southampton Glebe Primary School and Sandys Secondary School. He represented Sandys in cricket, football and track. Warren’s Sandys school mate, Jerrylyn Simons, recalled making a £5 bet with him as to who would be the first to qualify for Somerset’s Cup Team. However the record shows neither of them was selected.

Warren often remarked how much he loved his brother Melvin. They attended the same schools in Bermuda and he eventually enrolled at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio in order that he might be close to Melvin and their cousin Ellen Kate Horton — both attended Wilberforce University at that time. Upon graduation from Central State, Warren completed his masters in social work at Howard University in Washington.

He was a consummate professional, having served Bermuda’s young people in various capacities during a 30-year career. He forged many important and lasting relationships with his colleagues, even jokingly referring to his closest female colleagues as his “work wives”.

Warren had no hesitation in acknowledging that his greatest life event was his acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Saviour some 30 years ago. Having attended St James Church, Somerset during his early years, he became a faithful member of First Church of God, North Shore where he served in many capacities such as head of security and trustee. He had a pivotal role in fundraising for a new church building at Sound View Road, Somerset.

Of all holidays, Cup Match, not surprisingly, brought out the best and most memorable side of Warren. He seemed destined to meet Winnie, his future wife, at Cup Match in Somerset. She was a devout St George’s supporter and daughter of a St George’s Cup star. That meeting led to their marriage of June 24, 1984 and children Camille (Andrew) and Warren, Jr (Glenisha).