The funeral for former Member of Parliament Hilson ‘Brother B’ Baptiste will take place on 21 May at 1pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Baptiste died on 23 April at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. He was 77.

A long-serving public figure, Baptiste was first elected to Parliament in 1994 and represented St Mary’s South for four consecutive terms under the United Progressive Party. He held several ministerial portfolios, including Tourism, Agriculture, and Social Transformation, and was known for his no-nonsense style and grassroots connection.

Beyond politics, Baptiste was also a chef, entrepreneur, and community mentor. Born on 14 October 1947, he leaves behind a legacy of service that reached well beyond the political stage.