Elizabeth McIntosh

Elizabeth Cox McIntosh was born on September 16th, 1933 in Ashton, Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Elaine Hutchinson Cox and Alvin Cox. She was the eldest of five children. Her father, a merchant seaman, died when she was 3 months old. Because her mother secured work in Trinidad, her grandmother Caroline Hutchinson raised her.

Elizabeth attended the Ashton Elementary School, completing her 8th grade education there. Upon graduation from the 8th grade, she was named teacher of the 1st grade class. She also had the distinction of becoming the school’s first librarian. Moreover, Elizabeth worked at the school as a handicraft instructor.

During her upbringing, Elizabeth and her grandmother both accepted the Seventh-day Adventist message. Quickly becoming an active church member, Elizabeth participated on her church’s netball team. She also joined the Pathfinder Club, later becoming a Master Guide. She was skilled with her hands, learning arts and crafts, and teaching those skills to the Pathfinders at the lower levels. Elizabeth was also a Sabbath School teacher and directed three church choirs.

While visiting her friend Violet, who lived on the island of Carriacou, Elizabeth met Violet’s younger brother Charles. They fell in love quickly. In 1957, Charles moved to Yorkshire, England. Elizabeth returned to Union Island, but her mind was on Charles.

Not wanting to be apart any longer, Charles sent for her. Elizabeth moved to High Wycombe, England in 1958 and enrolled in nursing school. However, illness prevented her from continuing her studies. They married on March 29th, 1959, beginning six decades of marriage. To their union, Charles and Elizabeth soon added six children: Gwenda, Alma (a.k.a. Mabel), Alvin, Greta, Judy, and Joseph. Soon after Joseph was born, Charles and Elizabeth began researching a possible move to the United States, finally relocating the family to Brooklyn, New York in July of 1967.

As devout Seventh-day Adventists, Charles and Elizabeth both sacrificed to provide each of their six children with a Christian education, enrolling them at the Hanson Place Seventh-day Adventist School. Equally important was ensuring that their children were properly educated musically. Their musical legacy is apparent in that all six children both sing and play a variety of musical instruments, including the piano, violin, cello, flute, guitar, and clarinet. The family together heavily participated in several ministries, including the music ministry, at the Hanson Place Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Elizabeth desired to complete her education. After earning her GED, she matriculated at Long Island University in Brooklyn, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 1977. She then embarked on a nursing career, working at several New York City area hospitals, primarily as a labor and delivery nurse. She also took shifts in medical surgical units and sometimes worked as a private duty nurse as well.

Known for helping anyone she knew was in need, Elizabeth took in a young lady Michelle Richards. Treating her like her own daughter, she allowed Michelle to stay in the family’s home for several years, until Elizabeth and Charles moved south. She was not the first, nor was she the last that Elizabeth assisted. Even today, Elizabeth’s children call Michelle their sister. Over the years, many have benefitted from the generosity of the McIntosh family.

In 1986, Charles and Elizabeth relocated to Palm Bay, Florida, where Elizabeth continued her nursing career until she retired at the age of 77. While living in Palm Bay, Elizabeth also became active in several ministries at the Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church, specifically as a deaconess and a member of the Health Ministries team. She was also a faithful participant in Sabbath School.

On May 2nd, 2022, the good Lord called Elizabeth to rest. She was predeceased by her loving husband Charles; her siblings Titus, Calvin,Theodora, and John; and her daughter Alma. She leaves to cherish her memory her children Gwenda, Alvin, Greta, Judy, and Joseph (Rose Marie); her grandchildren Joanne, Brandon (Racquel), David, Taylor, Richard, Kimberly, Joey, Jordan, Alexa, Michael, and Alma; great-grandchildren Xavier, Roxanne, Geordi, Xhuri and Solomon; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and church family.

She now awaits the second coming of Christ. Her family misses her and is waiting for that "great gettin' up morning," when death shall be no more.

A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909. A graveside service will occur Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 1:30 PM at Fountainhead Memorial Park, 7303 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the McIntosh family.