The Tribune

Last Sunday, hundreds gathered at the Christian Life Centre to say their final farewells and express thanks to God for Nora Dorsett, described by all who knew her as a true example of Christian character and service.

The funeral service for the 94-year-old was a joyful tribute to a lady well deserving of praise.

The family of Genesis Academy joined in remembering Mrs Dorsett as a community builder and a true hero of the faith who touched thousands of lives.

On June 16, 2010, Mrs Dorsett was awarded Genesis Academy’s highest honour, the Dr Rex Major Christian Service Award.

Opening its doors in 2006, Genesis Academy followed the firm belief that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It was determined that the highest honour the school would bestow is an award for outstanding Christian service and character.

Dr Rex Major celebrated his 50th year as a Minister of the Gospel in 2006, the same year that Genesis started. In honour of his years of service as an evangelist, teacher, scholar and pastor, and his national role, Dr Major was made the first recipient of the Genesis Christian Service Award. As part of the honour, it was decided that the award will continue to be called the Dr Rex Major Christian Service Award.

As patron of the award, Dr Major annually selects a candidate that fits the following criteria:

“The person must be a Christian, who is known in the community for their commitment to Christian living, morals and principals. Must be a model of Christian service in their churches and in the community. Has served faithfully as a witness of Jesus Christ and a servant of His gospel for 25 years or more Has impacted the community through their integrity and charity.”

Nora Dorsett was the fourth recipient of award.

She was born June 27, 1922, to Ethel Rolle and Arnold Dean in West Street, Nassau, and grew up in Scott Street, Bain Town. She attended the Quarry Mission Preparatory School, Western Junior and Western Senior Schools.

At age 11 she began her training as a dressmaker, and at age 15 she began her teaching career which ran from 1938-1944, and from 1955-1985.

In 1963, she became a fully qualified trained teacher by attending the Bahamas Teachers College.

She was the widow of Neville William Dorsett, and the mother of nine children. She reared an architect, businessman, animal scientist, a banker, three educators, and two nurses.

In 1983, she was named ‘Mother of The Year’ by the Mother’s Club and received recognition from Queen Elizabeth II.

She was the founding member of a number civic groups, including: the Mental Health Association, School Welfare Association, Guidance Counsellor’s Association, Bahamas Teacher’s Union, Founding member of Student Christian Movement/Campus Life Club at CI Gibson Junior High School, ant the Over-the-Hill Reunion Group. She chaired the steering committee for Hope House – a home for unwed mothers under the auspices of Cross Roads Ministries – for more than a decade. She fostered many children and worked closely with the Department of Social Services for a number of years.

Mrs Dorsett also had a rich and full church life. Since accepting Christ in the mid-1960s, she has been a faithful member of the East Street Gospel Chapel. She served as an alto in the chapel choir under the direction of the late Sister Willie Mae Pratt, as a Sunday School teacher, AWANA leader, counsellor, advisor, and as a member of the evangelism and missions committees.

At age 85, Mrs Nora completed a short-term mission to South Andros with the Every Home for Christ Programme, sponsored by the United Missions Department. In previous years she went with the group to Long Island, Cat Island and North and Central Andros.

Dr Major described has a “real Proverbs 31 woman.”

“On any given day you would find her if she is at home, either encouraging other saints through her telephone ministry, sewing handkerchiefs, making craft dolls, guava duff or thinking of someone else she could help. Her favorite verse is Romans 8:28. She never worries about anything, but prays about everything. She very rarely misses her Wednesday night prayer meeting or the Breaking of Bread Service and will get there any way she can. She loves her church, the saints and above all, she lover Jesus,” he said.

Mrs Dorsett remained faithful in the service of the Lord up to her final moments. Just weeks ago, during the Christmas holidays, she was busy creating costumes for “Tell The Story”, the Christmas musical which drew thousands of Bahamians to the Christian Life Centre. She not only sewed costumes, but gave of her financial resources to ensure the success of the musical outreach. This and other such accounts were remembered fondly by the hundreds that attended her memorial service at East Street Gospel Chapel, her home church, which was held prior to the funeral on January 19.