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Step Son
Nephews
Friends
Lionel Swan
Cromwell Berrisford Smith, Jr.
John W. Smith, MD
A lien "Woodrow" Smith
Sean Smith
Roy Penn
BennetPenn
Randy Penn
Baldwin Frett
Joel Jackson
Ralston Brewley
Rodney Brewley
Samuel Hodge
Dion Crabbe
Devin George
Bevin George
Allen-Michael George
Michael R. George
Sylvia Smith
Staff and Residents of -=
Adina Donovan Home
Brothers
Berrisford Smith
Cecil Bernet Frett
Edward Wheatley
Sisters
Mignon Wheatley-Brewley
Adina Wheatley
Keturah Wheatley-Crabbe
Louise Wheatley-George
Lilian Wheatley-George (Didy)
Foster Sister
Shirley Black
Brothers-in-Law
Earl Brewley (Chuck)
Autley Crabbe
Denton George
Cosmus George
Sisters-in-Law
Olla Smith
Vadis Frett
Uncle
Ernest Wheatley
Aunt
Eda Flax
Nieces
Claudette Smith
lcylma Frett-Scatliffe
Merlene Frett-Smith
Faye Reed-George
Melony Doyling
Verda Frazer
Cora Smith
Linda Brewley
Linnel Brewley
Nicola Hodge-DeShong
Dawn Crabbe-Herbert
Kimberly Crabbe-Adams
Amberly Crabbe
Cindy George
Shaniqua Wheatley
Samone Wheatley
Shawntisha Wheatley
Nicole Wheatley
Tamika Wheatley
Jalia Wheatley
Stephanie George
Michelle George
Pallbearers
Edward Wheatley
Samuel Hodge
Rodney Brewley
Randy Penn
Everette Frazer
Abanat Frazer
Honourary Pallbearers
Lionel Swan
Roy Penn
Bennet Penn
Cromwell Berrisford Sm ith _Dion Crabbe
Michael R. George
Devin George
Ushers
Stephanie George
Kimberly Crabbe-Adams
Amberly Crc.ibbe
Merlene Frett-Smith
Avis Marion Wheatley Rogers was born in East End, Tortola to Violet Varlack and Conrad Emile Wheatley on
30th August 1922.
Avis received her early education at the East End Methodist School where she was successful in obtaining
the Standard Seven School Certificate. On leaving school she learnt that there was need for a teacher so she
applied. She was given the requisite exam and passed with flying colours. Her teaching career started the next
week. She taught at the East End School that was housed in the Methodist Church, the Long Look School that was
housed in the Prayer House and was also Head Teacher at the Anegada school. While in Anegada she stayed
with relatives .
Avis taught hundreds of students during her teaching career in the British Virgin Islands. Many of her students
speak of the positive influence she had on their lives. She was very active in the total life of the Methodist Church
where she was a Sunday school teacher, choir member, member of the Women's League from 1949- 1957.
She was also associated with the Girls League, and was very active in fund raising for Missionary meetings.
Avis was very skillful in handicraft. At the Virgin Islands Agricu ltu ra l Show in 1952 she was awarded the first
prize for the best made Tyre Basket in East End, and the second prize for the second best piece of Fancy Work in
East End, Tortola. Avis was a seamstress and was know n to purchase clothing and alter them to her taste before
wearing them.
Avis' teaching career in the British Virg in Islands ended when she moved to St. John w here she lived until the
death of her husband after which she moved to St. Thomas. She was married firstly to Charles Smith of St. John,
secondly to Jellice Swan of St. Thomas and lastly to Sidney Rogers of Angui lla, West lndies. They all preceded
her in death . Unfortunately, none of those unions produced any children but she reared her second husband's
son Lionel Swan from infancy to adulthood.
She continued her craft trade and among her many pursuits, she opened a flower shop in the Garden Street
Area in St. Thomas. Her sewing and handy craft career continued until 2001 when she fell tll.
Avis better known at Titter to her Wheatley siblings was a very special sister. As little girls we looked forward to
her visits, knowing that she was bringing goodies for us. In those days, someone visiting home from St. Thomas
was like the visit of "Santo Claus" during Christmas. Avis and Jellice Swan were among the first persons to
acquire a home in the new development in Nazareth Estate, St. Thomas. A visit to Titter's home for us was like
being in a palace. lt was the first time we had seen a marble top table and Tarrasa floor. A nephew remarked
just the other day, that it was the first time he saw a house with two bathrooms and a two-door fridge and that
one side of the door was filled with ice cream . While there, we were treated as roya lty and ate sumptuously.
On the 7th October 200 1 Avis fell down a flight of stairs at her apartment in St. Thomas and was hospitalized
until the 31st December 2001 w hen w e brought her home to Tortola.
This was our opportunity to return the love that she showed to us as children, as we were informed by the Doctor
that she could never live by herself again and would need to be cared for. She lived with us in her father's
home at East End until the death of our mother, and the sudden decision of the care taker to migrate to England.
The situation at this point was beyond our control and so wi th heavy hearts she had to be taken to the Adina
Donovan Home. lt is said that every disappointment happens for a good, because while at the Adina Donovan
Home, the many religious groups, relatives and friends were able to minister to her on a regular basis.
She loved to sing and would be seen on the mike on a Wednesday when the musical group comprising of
Commissioner Reynel l Fraser, Mr. Aired Frett and others, visited the Home.
She had a unique sense of humour that caused the staff of the home and many persons who knew, and visited
the home to love her. One lady remarked that on learning of her passing she was moved to tears knowing that
she will not be at the Home when she visits to sing her favourite song " I am redeemed, Oh , praise the Lord". lt
was later learned that Avis requested that this same song be sung at her funeral.
Just before she stopped speaking, I went to see her and for the entire time I was there she would not open her
eyes or speak to me. Since I did not succeed in getting her to speak, I told her I was running back to work since
she would not open her eyes or speak to me. She did not open her eyes, but said, " Do not run , wa lk before you
fall down." On another occasion when she was on a hospital bed opposite from her sister Helen, on being told
by a Nurse that her sister Helen was in the hospital and was on the bed next to her, she looked across, and said
" Helen, what yo selling?" Even though she was sick she could not help but say something to make you laugh.
Avis was hospitalized on the 3rd January 201 1, released on the 6th and returned to the hospital w ithin 24 hours
where she remained until she slipped away at about 8:40a.m. on the 22nd February 2011. We loved her, but
God loved her best.
May her soul rest in peace.