One of Barbados’ latest centenarians, Lillian Caroline Jackson, celebrated her birthday on Saturday, September 3, with a small gathering of family and close friends in Prerogative, St. George.
President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason visited with the centenarian via Zoom.
When asked by Her Excellency how she was feeling, the centenarian replied “I feel good”. Smiling, Mrs. Jackson recounted that she remembered seeing Her Excellency in attendance at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, in prior years.
Mrs. Jackson, a widower and a retired agricultural worker, loves church. She is a member of both St. Jude’s Anglican Church and St. John’s Parish Church having been very active in both of them up until 2020, primarily due to concerns associated with COVID-19, as she took the bus to church.
In addition to being active in the Mother’s Union and Church Army, the centenarian is known to have always been present at special services and to assist when there were funerals.
The centenarian shared that “thanking God”, is one of the secrets to having a long life.
Mrs. Jackson, who had no children of her own, helped to raise Mrs. Ethnie (Elma) Parris-Grosvenor, who is now her caretaker. She shared that Mrs. Jackson is a “jovial” lady, who daily “reads her Bible, without glasses”.
Her Excellency, when told that Mrs. Jackson is also credited with helping those in the community in need, by always making sure they had something to eat, remarked: “Typical of our older people,…they never allowed anyone to go hungry. Whatever little they had, it was enough to share with everyone.”
Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor, who gave the history behind her relationship with the centenarian, said her mum and Mrs. Jackson were best friends, hence “Lillian” helped to raise her from a child. She added: “When my mother was sick and in hospital, her last words to me were Elma, please don’t let down Lillian. Take care of Lillian for me.” Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor added that the centenarian’s husband, Robert Jackson (now deceased), also asked Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor to “take care of Lillian” for him, prior to his passing.
Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor delivered on her commitment and has been taking care of the centenarian for over 20 years, looking after her meals, transportation, medical care and helping her to walk on her own, after a stint in the hospital earlier this year that left her unable to walk properly.
“Overall she is in good health, a decent eater,” revealed Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor. Noting that the centenarian loves pork, ground provisions and cou cou, she added that Mrs. Jackson likes to indulge in a special cocktail mix of cherry brandy, Kola Tonic, Falernum and Port Wine, with a few ice cubes.
Her Excellency remarked to Mrs. Parris-Grosvenor “You are a real caretaker…I want to really say a hearty ‘thank you’ because you could not have done more for her than if she was your mother.”
Ms. Isilma Roberts, who also knew Mrs. Jackson when she (Ms. Roberts) was a child, recalled that she used to live in Lemon Arbour, St. John before she moved to Henley, in St. John and “was a mother to everybody” She added that her door used to be always open “when we come home from school”.
On behalf of Her Excellency, the Aide-de-camp, Sub-Lieutenant Jamal Wiggins, presented Mrs. Jackson with a greeting card, a fruit basket and a bottle of wine. The presentation was followed by the rendition of the Happy Birthday song, where everyone toasted the centenarian.
Her Excellency expressed gratitude for being “a part of this special celebration”, wishing Mrs. Jackson all of the best for the rest of the day.
Mrs. Audrey Bryan, a trustee, presented Mrs. Jackson with a bouquet of flowers, on behalf of the Ermine Holmes Trust. She acknowledged her as “an inspiration to many parishioners” at St. Jude’s Anglican Church. She also stated that Mrs. Jackson’s contribution and involvement, over the years, would be recognised at both St. Jude’s Anglican Church and St. John’s Parish Church, in a special celebration, as part of their Sunday services.
