By Erasmus Williams Sr.
BASSETERRE: Today residents of St. Kitts and Nevis will pay their last respects to their Third Governor-General, Sir Edmund Wickham Lawrence, KCMG, GCMG, OBE, CSM, J.P.
Sir Edmund, who died on September 7, is being accorded a State Funeral with full military honours today, which has been declared a public half holiday. Flags are being flown at half-mast in the federation in honour of his vast contribution in numerous areas.
A Lying-in-State ceremony will be held at Government House, Springfield, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., providing an opportunity for members of the public to pay their final respects.
The State Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Wesley Methodist Church on Seaton Street, Basseterre.
Officiating ministers are the Rev. Derek C. Browne, Superintendent Minister of the St. Kitts Circuit of the Methodist Church; Rev. Aulrick C. Greenaway, Minister; Rev. Mark Christmas, Superintendent Minister of the Nevis Circuit of the Methodist Church; Rev. Eric Alexander, Minister; Rev. Celina Walton-Charles and Circuit Deacon. The organist is Dr. Elizabeth, a daughter of Sir Edmund.
Tributes will come from The National Bank Group of Companies; Mr. Rawlinson Isaac; Wesley Methodist Church; St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party; Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew.
The Eulogy will be given by Sophia Lawrence and Louisa Lawrence.
During the Offertory hymns, donations will go towards the Wesley Methodist Church’s 200th Anniversary.
Mrs. Hulda Lawrence will lead the mourners, which include Governor-General, Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd; Prime Minister Drew and Mrs. Diana and Members of the Cabinet; representatives of several organizations and the general public.
Members of the public have been signing Books of Condolence at Government Headquarters and Embassies of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis overseas.
Sir Edmund, who passed away on September 7th, 2025, served as the third Governor-General of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis from 2013 to 2015.
Sir Edmund’s legacy is indelibly etched into the nation’s history. A pioneering figure in the economic development of St. Kitts and Nevis, he was the founding General Manager of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, where his visionary leadership laid the foundation for the country’s financial sector. His tenure as Governor-General from 2013 to 2015, was marked by the same integrity, wisdom, and fervent dedication to public service that defined his entire career.