Bevan Rawlinson Smith

We regret to announce the passing of Bevan Rawlinson Smith, 88, on March 4, 2025, a native of Antigua, who spent part of his life on St. Croix before making his longtime home in California. He is preceded in death by his mother, Edith Augustus Sebastien; father, Charles Edgar Smith; brothers: Alphonso Barnabas, Leslie Benjamin, Claxton and Elwyn Smith. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Bryan; daughters: Leora Petersen, Charmaine Smith-Quinn and Andrea Smith; sons: Bevan Jr., Elroy and Vernon Smith; grandchildren: Oneeka Hill, Shemaka Encarnacion, Sannul, Romesha, Candace, Adonai, Adaina, Makeda, Kiymora, Isaiah, Shandara, Cherica, Malachi, and Djanhoiy Smith, Dimitrous Jefferson, Deshaun Garvey, Amali, Aaron, Amari Krigger and Asani Martinez; great-grandchildren: Julien and Jianna Hill, Safiya, Shashamani, Sacred, Surianna, Ryelan and Raelyn Smith, Eliezer Jr., Zahina, Jireh and Adrieyl Encarnacion, Amya Whithey, and Amarii Larsen; Domenico Montano, Jahmakai and Nova Jefferson, Zakai and Zaiyden Garvey, and Azakai Martinez; sons-in-law: Monte Hill and Carl Quinn; daughters-in-law: Natasha O’Halloran-Smith and Rita Warner-Smith; sister: Lauretta Smith; sister-in-law: Peggy Malcolm; brother-in-law: Bill Bryan; niece-in-law: Tina Malcolm and Rebecca Bryan; nephews-in-law: William Bryan, James, Bill, Pat and Chris Malcolm. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 5, at 10 AM, at the Funeraria Del Angel chapel, located at 5940 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, California 91401.

Bevan Rawlinson Smith transitioned on March 4, 2025. He was born on February 17, 1937, in St. John’s, Antigua, to Edith Augustus Sebastien and Charles Edgar Smith. Bevan grew up in Antigua as the youngest boy among six siblings. He was an avid sportsman who loved cars, motorcycles, music, and dancing. In the early 1950s, he married his high school sweetheart, Thelma Romanita Thomas, and together they started a family. They had six children—Leora, Bevan Jr., and Elroy, who were born in Antigua, and Vernon, Charmaine, and Andrea, who were born on St. Croix. As a talented dancer, Bevan was part of a dance troupe that performed throughout the Caribbean. One of their notable performances took place in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where they showcased various dance styles on roller skates during the carnival parades. This experience introduced him to the Virgin Islands, and in the early 1960s, he made the decision to relocate to St. Croix in search of better opportunities. Bevan began working in the restaurant industry, a career that had started for him as a waiter at Antigua’s Beach Hotel. He later became a bartender at the Stone Balloon Bar and Restaurant in Antigua, where he met many prominent individuals of different races and nationalities. These connections provided valuable resources for him and his family. He eventually transitioned to a career at Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation refinery, working as a warehouseman. As life took him in different directions, his marriage to Thelma eventually came to an end. In his own words, he outgrew life on St. Croix and the opportunities it offered, leading him to relocate to the Continental United States. He explored living in Florida and North Carolina but ultimately settled in California. While living in Los Angeles and working in the computer rental department at UCLA, he met Virginia Bryan. The couple fell in love, got married, and made their home on Matilija Avenue, where Bevan lived until his passing. Bevan loved sports and was a founding member and President of the St. Croix Cricket Association. He played a pivotal role in coordinating cricket matches in various locations on the island. Although he played soccer as a young man, he fell in love with tennis and continued to play until his doctor advised him to stop due to an injured rotator cuff in his shoulder. He expressed that having to quit tennis was one of the most disappointing occurrences in his life. Bevan was also a passionate sports fan, particularly of basketball, and was a die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan, regardless of their seasonal record. Cars were another of Bevan's passions. He loved refurbishing old cars and purchasing new sports cars. His journey began with a Honda that had a drivetrain similar to a motorcycle, followed by a couple of Triumphs, MGs, and a Capri, ultimately culminating in a Mazda Miata, which he affectionately called "Zum-Zum." He was an active member of the MG club and looked forward to participating in their monthly gatherings. Overall, Bevan lived a full and meaningful life. According to him, there were very few bucket list items he had not accomplished. In recent years, he expressed that he was living to take care of his beloved wife. He once summed up his life with the lyrics

from Frank Sinatra’s song, My Way

"Regrets, I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do, and saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway, More, much more than this, I did it My Way..."