Vanessa Scott, a close friend of Mrs Lockhart-Edwards, created the site which contains the history of Mrs. Lockhart-Edwards' life, video and audio tapings of her cultural music and performances, pictures of her life and work and postings of condolences from various members of the community.
A tribute on the site reads, "We will remember her forever. She lived a wonderful life and enjoyed it to the fullest. Never did she complain, even when things were not right. She always had an encouraging word for others."
Mrs Lockhart-Edwards pas-sed away at the age of 60 two weeks ago after a seven-year battle with bladder cancer. She was laid to rest this past Saturday following a homegoing service at Bahamas Faith Ministries' Diplomat Centre, Carmichael Road.
Mrs Lockhart-Edwards, a multi-gifted entertainer, was a world-class singer, producer and songwriter who created more than 12 major musicals. She also wrote numerous inspirational pieces and folksongs and had been at the forefront of cultural development and policy in The Bahamas for more than 30 years.
Her funeral service was attended by a massive crowd of Bahamians from every walk of life, including top government officials such as Governor General Arthur Hanna, Prime Minister Perry G. Christie and Free National Movement Leader Hubert Ingraham.
In his tribute former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said, "She bore her last affliction with the same courage and bore her pain with the same cheerfulness that have become an integral part of her personality for sixty blessed years."
Mr Ingraham said that he and his colleagues in the FNM feel that it would be fitting to memorialise Mrs Edwards' achievements so that future generations can know about her work.
Prime Minister Perry Christie said, "We have not yet got it right in how we honour our people during their lifetime."
He said that he agreed with Mr Ingraham that Mrs Edwards should be memorialised as a national heroine for her efforts and work in culture and said that such things must happen in a nation so that the people can know who our national heroes are and know what category they fall in.
The website – http://kayla-lockhartedwards.memory-of.com – seeks to be a form of memorial for Mrs Edwards and is open to all to view and contribute.
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
