Blanche V. Rattray

Blanche Victoria Rattray was born on September 1, 1921 in the district of Retirement, located in St. Ann, Jamaica. She was the tenth of eleven children born to Joshua and Eliza Rattray (née Lannaman) Her parents raised her, her three brothers and seven sisters to love the Lord.

Blanche attended Retirement Elementary School. At the age of 15, she moved to Kingston to live with her sister Elma Rose Wills and attended a commercial school where she studied short-hand and typing. At the age of 16, she obtained employment in an ice cream parlor. Later, she relocated to Porus, Clarendon where she worked in her sister Vaslin’s business establishment, Chang King and Sons, Ltd. When she returned to Kingston, she worked at Morris’ Drug Store, where she virtually managed the store.

She learned dressmaking from her mother and older sisters, which later in life, Blanche was able to utilize to sew for her children and other family and friends. Her expertise won her third place in the annual Denbigh Craft show in Clarendon for her entry of a hand-sewn man’s shirt. She also received the first prize for a beautiful rug that she crafted by hand.

Blanche was passionate about the impact of Sunday School on developing minds. First taking children to Sunday school which eventually led Blanche to start her own Sunday school in a building near her home. The Sunday School blossomed to the point she had to call for help from Rev Williams, Rev Gordon and several other church members because of the large number of students in attendance. Six years later, in 1970, when she migrated to the United States she asked Reverends Williams and Gordon to carry on the Sunday School.

Starting out in a new country was challenging and times were often difficult; but with the Lord at her side, she was able to conquer the challenges that she faced. Blanche trained as a Nursing Assistant and began working at Concourse Nursing Home in the Bronx, NY where she retired after 20 years.

In 1996, Blanche purchased a home and relocated to Port St. Lucie, Florida. There, she continued her missionary service at the New Testament Church of God, which later became the All Nations Life Development Christian Center, where she was affectionately known as Mother Rattray. She quickly involved herself in the various ministries of the church which included the choir, ushering and the Gold and Silver Ministry. She derived great joy from volunteering with Connie's Kitchen, which had her traveling to Ft. Pierce to assist in feeding the needy.

Blanche was involved not only in church ministry but reached out to those in her neighborhood as well. She would visit them to share a scripture, pray for them, or drop off mangoes or other produce from her garden.

Blanche enjoyed singing, praying and working in her garden. She enjoyed harvesting the fresh fruits and vegetables grown and nurtured by God. In fact, if you called and could not reach her, chances are you would have found her outside, tending her garden.

Blanche led a life devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Every day, starting at 5:00 am she was heard calling the names of her children, grandchildren, family and church members as she prayed for them. This was always followed by time spent reading her bible and singing songs from the Redemption Song Book. Her morning walk would end this daily ritual.

She was affectionately called "Aunt B" by her family. She loved Jamaican food, laughing and making others laugh with her quick-witted one liners, and Jamaican patois. Her heart was always filled with joy.

Blanche had six children, Rupert “Ted”, Alice “Pam”, George, Gresham “Mel” (Denise), Eleanor “Cherry” and Anthony “Hugh”. Her eldest son, Rupert, predeceased her in 1979, she considered this to be the greatest tragedy of her life.

Blanche is survived by her remaining 5 children, 24 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, her youngest sister Linette, numerous nieces and nephews, a host of other family, church family and friends.

We are thankful that she remained faithful to the Lord and are confident that she is now with him in paradise.

Thank God for a life well lived for Him.