Terrilyene Watson-Nunez

Terrilyene Watson-Nunez, 93, of Palm Bay, passed away on January 29, 2023.  The memorial service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 11AM at Church of Our Savior.

Church of Our Savior
1000 Jersey Lane, NE
Palm Bay, Florida 32905
(321) 723-8032

Terrilyene Watson-Nuñez was born on March 24, 1929 in Allman Town, Kingston, Jamaica, as Gloria Brown, to newlyweds, Cicely and Stanley Brown. This was a very propitious choice, as Gloria, named for a movie star, and who would later choose an elegant version of her own middle name Theresa, re-naming herself Terrilyene (“Terri”), proved to be a star in her own right, during her long and adventurous journey.

Terrilyene was an indomitable force, who consistently overcame adversity, ignored obstacles, and possessed a determination and resilience that is almost legendary. She believed that nothing was impossible—it was never “if’ but “when” success would be achieved.

Terrilyene first encountered and overcame some significant challenges at an early age. At two, she was in a serious accident, resulting in a permanently deformed ring and little finger. She overcame this impediment with equanimity, as she was loathe to consider such events as obstacles. In one example of this, she devised her own method to become an excellent, if unorthodox, “Terri-version” shorthand writer and a 140-wpm typist, important skills throughout her exemplary administration career.

Terrilyene’s youth was quite demanding, as many phases of her life would prove to be. She attended multiple schools in various parts of Jamaica, including the well-regarded Excelsior College. She was constantly shuttled between the loving, laughter filled warmth of her grandmother’s home, with her aunts, uncles and cousins who doted on her, and the often-discordant home of her parents. She never felt the kind of stability and security she hoped for. But again, this absence, and its attendant loneliness, coupled with her invincible spirit, would serve to create the celebratory, loving, infectiously enthusiastic woman most people knew. In an era of injustice and restrictions, Terrilyene would capture the hearts of many, as the first “brown-skinned” girl to serve with the Earl Haig Charity appeal, as a star track athlete, and later as a jazz singer in her beloved Kingston, including live radio performances.

She was married twice briefly, first at 18, with the joy of those unions being her much loved and devoted sons, Wayne-Kent A. Bradshaw and Litchburn “Butch” Hunter. Terri grew from these experiences and forging ahead with greater wisdom, was rewarded with a passionate third marriage which produced her beautiful, cherished daughter, Troyann Davine Mary Watson, whom she called her “Pride and Joy”. In her sixties, she met and married Panamanian engineer Keneth Sydney Nuñez (d. 2017), who provided her later years with the laughter, social engagements, stability, and comfort she often longed for in her childhood. Her 1997 white wedding was hosted in the embassy home of the United States Ambassador to St. Lucia, and she was resplendent as the “belle of the ball”.

Terri was a mover and shaker, the self-sufficient “captain of her own ship” from an early age. Despite little formal post-secondary education, she enrolled herself in various college courses, earned a certificate from Washington Business Institute, and went on to succeed in multiple jobs (sometimes simultaneously) throughout her life. Even before age 30, and preceding her immigration to the United States, she had done everything from operating a dry cleaner, working a hospital and corporate switchboard, performing secretarial administrative duties for the Department of Agriculture, the Bank of London and Montreal, and developing her own small travel and clothing business. She was also one of the first women in her town to drive, and even owned her own car – a powder blue Morris Minor.

Life in America was just the open-door opportunity that Terrilyene needed to mature and blossom into the woman we all knew, loved, and respected. In California with a new husband and baby, Terri became a sought-after Executive Assistant to the leaders of various corporations in the Los Angeles area – including a senior leader of toymaker Revell and the CEO of Orthopedic Hospital of Los Angeles. Of note, Terri once again broke boundaries, receiving a standing ovation as she sauntered through the Revell factory floor. The workers were so proud of this, the first-ever black person in the executive suite.

She returned briefly to Jamaica to finalize her immigration status, shortly thereafter settling in Washington D.C. as the program officer for a government sponsored office in partnership with Howard University. This position allowed her to travel extensively around the world from Africa to Asia and South America on behalf of the U.S. government. In addition, and on her own she travelled to Canada, Dubai, London, France, Denmark and of course the Caribbean and Panama.

It must be mentioned that Terri was truly inspired, and a master at bringing people of all ilk together to enjoy her contagious laughter and excellent cooking, be it a family gathering, a legendary party to enjoy Jamaican faire and live music, a charitable event, or strangers in need of a helping hand. Her family and all in her sphere benefited from her generous spirit and unflagging energy to the very last day.

Terrilyene’s final, but equally adventurous and successful chapter, was in Palm Bay, Florida, where she spent the last quarter of her life graciously serving those around her and inviting an entire community to enjoy elegant and fun-filled festivities, parties, and high-society themed black-tie scholarship galas. She knew that the price of greatness was responsibility and launched her own nonprofit jazz friends club “Fifty Plus and Bridging” to bring out the inexhaustible potential that she recognized in so many young people, despite their own challenging environments. She was named Brevard County “Volunteer of the Year” and her final mission was to be the light that would lead others to their own bright endings.

Terrilyene was constantly involved in helping and lifting up everyone in her life. Many would come to call her teacher, mom, sister, and friend. She was a consummate learner and writer, her famous sayings and mottos were stitched into the hearts of her friends and family. Her steadfast spirit and tenacity lives on in her successful and loving progeny. Although tiny in stature, Terrilyene leaves an enormous vacuum, a loving legacy, and a clear challenge: finish your race well. Terrilyene’s resiliency was beautifully reflected in her favorite Holy Bible story of Abraham’s “ram in the bush”. She prayed daily (often on her knees) and regularly told her children and grandchildren that God would make a way with His ram in the bush.

Terrilyene loved music of all kinds, dancing, and laughter. Terri is survived by three children, Wayne-Kent A. Bradshaw (Mary), Litchburn “Butch” Hunter (Brenda), and Troyann Davine Mary Watson, four grandchildren, Kelley Lynne Casimere (Christopher), Cherrise Catri Payne, Amber Dior Keyes (Jerry), and Christine Genevieve Bradshaw, and three great grandchildren, Caleb Lynn Casimere, Krista Lynne Casimere, and Parker Leland Keyes. She is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Tyger of Palm Bay, Florida and Valerie “Annie” Williams of Boca Raton, Florida, and her loving Nuñez children, Jean Mathurine, Roberto Duncan (Sheila), Barbara John, Sheila Duncan Goodwin (Stanley) and their children. As an only child and a true extrovert, she is also survived by a host of “adopted” siblings and children.

God always has a “ram in the bush”!