Beresford Montique Kellyman was born November 3rd, 1925 to Hezekiah
Kellyman and Leonor Mignott-Kellyman. He was the second of 6 children. His
nicknames were "Beres", "Kellyman", "Father B" and variations of "Son": "Uncle
Son", "Cousin Son", "Brother Son'', and "Sank-co-fee". His early years were spent
in Cuba, his birthplace, before migrating to Jamaica at the age of 7, where he was
raised in Hagley Gap, St Thomas by his Grandparents Samuel and Eliza Kellyman.
He attended Hagley Gap Primary School, but after the death of his Grandfather,
his Uncle Frederick Kellyman welcomed a 13 year old Beresford into his home at
Halberstadt, St Andrew where he met his future wife.
Beresford married Ivylin Edwards in the district Bito of St Andrew. They
immediately began their family and moved to Seven Miles and built a lovely
home.
After many years working at Gypsum Quarry Ltd, he worked for Pan-AM Airline for
a year and transferred his family to New Haven, Connecticut, USA in 1969.
Without any impressive credentials to his name, Beresford was rarely without a
job, official or not. In name only, he retired with his wife to Pfafftown North
Carolina in 1992. Shortly after moving to North Carolina, he gave his life to God
and was baptized with the Holy Ghost. He made himself busy with various
hobbies, most notable was his love of gardening; a natural green thumb,
whatever plant he touched prospered. And until his 92nd birthday, you could find
him on the road happy behind the wheel.
Though for himself, he did not have a conventional childhood, he made sure that
none of his children went without. He was strong and had a strong personality. He
was stern, always punctual, an early riser, a sharp dresser, never begged or
borrowed and a workaholic. When he wasn't physically able to move, he would
dream up work for you.
As impossible as it is to distill a person's life into one page or memorial service,
Uncle Son was a man who wanted to belong and to be loved. And like any good
parent, he desired that his children have all the good that was not afforded to
him. A letter was recently discovered, where he penned the following: "I made a
promise to you Ivy, that I will not leave you or the children and I kept my
promise…"
Beresford is survived by: his sister Liza, his ten children: Gloria, Agatha, Basil,
Anthony, Robert, Lee, Elaine, Catherine, Inez, and Earl. Thirty-One Grandchildren,
Forty-Three Great Grandchildren, four Great Great Grandchildren and a host of
nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. A public viewing will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 2pm until 5pm at Douthit's. A private funeral services will be held Thursday, August 20, 2020. Arrangements are in the care of Douthit Funeral Services.