Denvil Roy Mitchell - Bodden Funeral Services

True to Denvil’s good nature and humorous spirit, we leave today’s service
with a few jokes and a tribute to you, his family and friends, from him.
Lord, give me a sense of humor, Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk.
Dentist’s Hymn...........................................................................Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman’s Hymn............................................................There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor’s Hymn.......................................................................The Church’s One Foundation
The Tailor’s Hymn..............................................................................................Holy, Holy, Holy
The Politician’s Hymn..........................................................................Standing on the Promises
Optometrist’s Hymn..................................................................Open My Eyes That I Might See
The IRS Agent’s Hymn.........................................................................................I Surrender All
The Gossip’s Hymn........................................................................................................Pass It On
The Electrician’s Hymn.........................................................................................Send the Light
The Realtor’s Hymn.....................................................I’ve got a Mansion, Just Over the Hilltop
Celebration
of
A
Life
ALL IS WELL
Death is nothing at all,
I have only slipped into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used,
Put no difference in your tone,
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for my family.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,
Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Denvil Roy Mitchell
March 31, 1975 - February 21, 2016
WESLEYAN HOLINESS CHURCH
150 North West Point Road, West Bay, Grand Cayman
Saturday, March 5, 2016 10am
OFFICIATING MINISTERS
Acknowledgement
The family of the late Denvil Mitchell would like to express our deepest gratitude to all for your visits, prayers, gifts and
encouragement during our bereavement. May the many blessings he was given be a blessing to you in your walk with the Lord
and may God richly bless you. A special thanks to Candice Thompson-Ebanks for preparing the slideshow.
Please join the family after the service at the Grand Pavilion courtyard until 3pm.
Programs entrusted to the caring professionals at Bodden Funeral Home.
Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield
Rev. Donovan Myers
Rev. Rohan Forrester
Pastor Garrett Haylock
ORGANIST
Katherine Jackson, Cert. Hon.
This Is The Life Story Of Denvil Roy Mitchell
Order of Service
Slideshow
Prelude .................................................................................................Katherine Jackson, Cert. Hon.
Words of Comfort and Prayer ............................................................................Rev. Rohan Forrester
Hymn “You Are My All in All” .......................................................................................Congregation
Scripture Reading............................................................................................Pastor Garrett Haylock
Sermon................................................................................................................Rev. Donovan Myers
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Commendation.................................Rev. Dr. Yvette Noble-Bloomfield
The Dash Poem
Denvil’s Life Story................................................................................Hon. McKeeva Bush, MBE, JP
Tributes:
Capt. Eugene Ebanks - Father-in-law................................................................................Bruce Smith
Bertha Thompson - Mother-in-law..................................................................................... Pam Small
Mark Davis - Best Friend...........................................................................................Petagay Hayman
Sisters-in-law..................................................................................................Melanie Ebanks-Jackson
Eric Ebanks - Nephew.........................................................................................................Alex Wood
Adrian & Orlee Ebanks - Brother & Sister-in-law............................................................Alex Wood
Tribute in Song “What a Day That Will Be”...................................... Garfield Crawford & Company
National Roads Authority............................................................................................Edward Howard
NRA Co-workers ..........................................................................................................Julie Campbell
Carlton Williams - Close Friend .................................................................................Porsha Johnson
Chris Johnson- Special Cousin........................................................................................Tammy Bush
Jeana Ebanks Mitchell - Wife.................................................................Lay Pastor Ormond Williams
Hymn “God Will Take Care of You” ................................................................................Congregation
Benediction ........................................................................................................Rev. Rohan Forrester
Procession and NRA Guard of Honor followed by Motorcycle Salute to the hearse.
Pall Bearers
Mark Davis Carlton Williams Chris Johnson Allan McLean Edison Jackson
Patrick Barnes
Honorary Pallbearers
Denvil Mitchell, Jr.
Jhevaughn Mitchell
Alvin Mitchell, Jr.
Ian Mitchell
Kirk Mitchell
Christopher Mitchell
O’Neill Mitchell
Baldwin Williams Rollin Rodriguez
Capt. Eugene Ebanks
Capt. Kel Thompson
Adrian Ebanks
Eric Ebanks
Billy Ebanks
Alex Wood
Mont Jackson
Arthur West
Phillip Berry
Athens Jackson
Olson Jackson Denis Caum
Dominic Williams
Michael Williams
Tommy Sofield
Richard Brown
Courtney Palmer
Dale Watson
Cardel Henriquez
Garfield Ellison
Jose Ebanks-Blanco
Donovan Richards
Garfield Crawford
Collington Stewart
Humberto Rivers
Evans Jackson
Anthony Gomez
Ushers
Celeta Zimmer Cleta Bodington McTare Ebanks Shane Ebanks Tommy Ebanks
Guest Book Attendants
Welma Parchment
Shelley Hunter do Vale
Jewel Walker
Nicole Prince-Smith
Born to Lorna Jaishon and Alvin Mitchell on March 31, 1975, Denvil Roy was the pride and joy of his family who lived in
Clarendon, Jamaica. He attended Race Course Primary School and later Kemps Hill High School where he was known as the
class clown. During his younger years, Denvil enjoyed spending time with his father in the trucking business as a side-man,
transporting sugar cane, chickens and other goods, to learn the ropes of the business. It was during this time that he learned how
to identify and fix mechanical problems and became skilled in fixing parts on the various heavy equipment and trucks that they
owned. He believed in having the ability to fix his own problems instead of having to pay someone else to do it. Because of this
outlook, Denvil became very skilled in many trades. From the experience he garnered during these early years, he excelled in
hands-on work and became what some referred to as a ‘jack of all trades’.
As a teenager, Denvil purchased his first motorbike, against his father’s wishes, and enjoyed the thrills that came with it,
including attracting the ladies. Later, his passion for motorbikes grew into a passion for fast cars. Like many teenagers, Denvil
was carefree and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Although he was always lighthearted, he did suffer the loss of
his mother in 1994, which left him with a void that was never filled. Their special bond was something that he held dearly to
his heart, and something that he spoke of often. Despite this, in 1995 he became the father to his first child and only daughter,
Rashaeda. Through his teenage years and into his late twenties, Denvil helped his father run the family trucking business and
moved on to work with Black Brothers Heavy Equipment, the JAMALCO bauxite company and the New Yarmouth Sugar Factory.
He was skilled in all manner of heavy equipment including trucks, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, rollers, graders and bobcats.
In 2005, an opportunity to expand his horizons in Grand Cayman arose and he moved here hoping to build a more secure
life and future. The decision to leave Jamaica was a difficult one, since this would mean leaving his family and children. After
Rashaeda, Denvil became the father to two sons - Denvil, Jr. and Jhevaughn (Jevon). With the blessing of his family, he chose
to move to Cayman and ably took the position as a heavy equipment operator for Green Thumb Landscaping, Harwood Jackson
Heavy Equipment and Island Paving. His ability, work-ethic and skill did not go unnoticed as he was approached by Colford
Scott of the National Roads Authority who was looking for talented operators. He worked for the NRA until his death.
Two years after moving to Cayman he met Jeana Ebanks who he courted for three years before marrying in 2010. Their unique
relationship was blessed with much happiness. When they fostered a child at Jeana’s wishes, Denvil happily supported her desire
for a family and they raised baby Serita together for some time. Denvil loved Jeana’s family, and took a special interest in the
nieces and nephews. Together they owned and operated a trucking company, a business that was able to stand out in the industry
because of his expertise, much to the credit of the early training he received in his father’s business.
When in 2010 the NRA needed assistance with a large repaving project in Cayman Brac, Denvil again saw an opportunity to
use his skills and took the position. He lived in the Brac for a year and became friends with many. Most will know that Denvil
was a person who, no matter where he went, easily made friends. He was light hearted and had an amazing sense of humor, pulling friends and strangers alike into his snare of jokes, putting them right at ease. Jeana supported his decision to move to the
Brac, and in return, when she moved to England in 2011 to further her education, Denvil supported her move. Their marriage
was one of compromise and they both took pride in their ability to encourage each other’s success. Also in 2011, Denvil lost his
father suddenly but was thankful that he had been encouraged by Jeana to make amends with him.
During their marriage, Denvil and Jeana enjoyed spending time with one another playing pool, watching movies, touring
the island and eating out way too often. Together they travelled quite extensively to Panama, the Baltic (Norway, Denmark,
Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Poland), the US and the Caribbean. Jeana’s love for NASCAR racing eventually rubbed off
on Denvil, and they enjoyed their trip in 2014 to the Ford Eco Boost event at the Homestead Speedway, of course to Denvil’s
excitement since his love for fast cars never ceased. They planned to go again this year.
While Denvil had made his life in Cayman, he was sure to keep in touch with his children and ensure that they were provided for. Together,
he and Jeana visited his children in Atlanta and Jamaica and welcomed their visits to Cayman. Denvil was a good father and loved his kids.
Last July, Denvil was able to spend time with his daughter Rashaeda in London. It was a time that he enjoyed reconnecting and was
thankful for the opportunity to do so, having not seen her for a number of years. On the trip back to Cayman, he and Jeana stopped
in Miami to ship the bike that he had been researching for months before and had finally got Jeana’s approval to purchase since he had
convinced her of his commitment to safety. And of course she wanted him to enjoy his toys.
On Saturday, February 20th, Denvil enjoyed breakfast at Treats, the place that made his favorite hash browns. He and Jeana
enjoyed a slow, lazy Saturday spending time together. On Sunday, February 21st, they had local fried fish and fritters in East End
before he left to play in a pool tournament. He promised to come home early since he was on the 3am sweeper truck shift. On
the way home on his motorbike, at around 8pm, he was fatally struck by another vehicle at the gate of the Savannah Church of
God. The family and friends are comforted that the congregation that responded to the accident and his angels ministered to
him in his last moments on holy ground. He and Jeana prayed together often and it is her hope that he got one final chance to
pray at the gates of church on his way to the gates of heaven.
Left to mourn his passing are: his wife Jeana, his children Rashaeda, Denvil, Jr. and Jhevaughn, siblings, special friends
Mark Davis and Carlton Williams, special cousin Chris Johnson, mother-in-law Bertha Thompson, father-in-law Capt. Eugene
Ebanks, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, special nieces Roz and Amie, special nephew Eric, and a host of other
family and friends. His memory will live on.