Obituary of Godsford John Nettleford

Godsford John Nettleford was born on August 8, 1941, to Adina Hall and James William Nettleford in Falmouth, Jamaica. He was the second of ten children and the only son. John started his education at Falmouth Elementary School. He then worked locally as an electrician's apprentice with his cousin. However, John desired to be trained as a police officer and enter the Jamaica Constabulary Force. While waiting to join, he met a man who would put him on a different path. Joseph Barnes invited John to attend Evangelistic meetings being held by Pastor William Kirlew at the Falmouth Seventh Day Adventist Church. While attending these meetings John decided to give his heart to the Lord and was encouraged to attend West Indies College instead of pursuing a law enforcement career. To make that possibility a reality, he completed his high school education and earned a GCE Certificate from the University of Cambridge. John was initially determined to be a math teacher when he entered college in September of 1964. However, as sometimes happens, plans and desires change as a result of interactions with professors. So instead of math, he pivoted to the field of business and accounting. And what a good decision that was. John enjoyed accounting and used that skill during his life. He helped many people and companies with challenging problems. Attending West Indies College was also good for John socially. While attending there, he met a beautiful young lady named Beverly Sutherland. The first meeting was a little contentious. Beverly was sitting on The Seat of the Scornful bench on campus, and John totally annoyed her. However, they would meet again in their English Composition and Christian Faith classes. John was the class comedian and over time his humor and personality convinced Beverly to give him a chance. After a three-year courtship, John and Beverly married on April 14, 1968, at the Andrews Memorial Church, in Kingston, Jamaica. John desired to continue to better himself and his family. With Pastor O.E. Gordon's encouragement and his bride's support, John migrated to Bridgeport Connecticut, and stayed with the Gordon's so that he could further his education and pursue better employment possibilities. While in Bridgeport, friends encouraged him to move to Brooklyn, New York because of more and better employment and educational opportunities. Fortunately, John's separation from his bride was relatively brief. In April of 1969, Beverly joined him, and they both enrolled at Brooklyn College. While at Brooklyn College during the tumultuous '60s, John participated in social justice movements and even participated in sit-ins. However, John desired to attend a Seventh Day Adventist College so he and Beverly moved to South Lancaster, Massachusetts to attend Atlantic Union College where he continued to study accounting. He graduated in 1973 with a B.S. in Accounting. With his education complete, John and Beverly returned to New York, and he started his professional accounting career. John's career included positions at the South Bronx OEDC, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, and the NY Urban League. He also ran a successful cleaning services business. As time passed, John's family grew. He had two children, Paul and Faith. Paul was married and living in Maryland and starting a family of his own. Faith had also relocated to Maryland. John and Beverly desired to be closer to their children and grandchild, so they decided to relocate. With John being an accountant and Paul being an attorney, they decided to start a business and chose the real estate field. Paul and John started a real estate company with no agents or employees and grew it to a company with over 200 agents and employees that annually handled over 100 million dollars of transactions at its height. John loved his Church and supported it in many ways. He was a member of the New Jersey Conference Executive Committee. He was an Elder and Treasurer at the Collingswood Park Church and an Elder at Mt. Olivet Church. He was also an active member of several other churches including Reaching Hearts, Palm Bay, and Seabrook. John loved to travel and visit new places. He loved cruises. He was also the "official" family photographer. He could be found behind the camera at family gatherings, weddings, parties, and wherever family or friends were gathered. When healthy he never missed a parade or fireworks display. He loved showing off his pictures. John loved to break out his slide projector and show everyone the photos he took. Sadly, John's later years were marred by health challenges. He had three bouts of cancer. These health issues took a toll and he decided to relocate to enjoy the better weather of Florida. While he enjoyed Florida, his health continued to deteriorate, so he returned to Maryland to be closer to family and spend time with his grandkids, Taylor, Jonathan, and Abi. The grands loved spending time with him. Abi especially enjoyed sitting on his lap and watching the children's program of the day with him. John finally succumbed to his health issues and went to sleep in Jesus on June 4, 2023; leaving to celebrate his life and revel in his memories his wife Beverly; his son Paul; his daughter Faith; his grandchildren Taylor, Jonathan, and Abigail; a son in law Demond; his sisters Shirley, Veronica, Mae, Valerie, Charmaine, Ann Marie, Jacqueline, and Michelle; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and legions of friends, acquaintances, and people whose lives were touched positively by him. He will be forever loved and greatly missed. On Sunday, June 25, 2023, a homegoing celebration for Mr. Godsford Nettleford will be held at the Pikesville Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4619 Old Court Road, where the family will recieve friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. with services to follow. The interment service will be held at the King Memorial Park immediately following the homegoing services.