One of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Doris Ilene Holder, who celebrated her 100th birthday throughout the month of November, welcomed family members and a few close friends to her Lears-Canewood home on November 23, 2024, to mark this significant milestone.
President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason was one of Mrs. Holder’s specially invited guests.
After prayers, Mrs. Holder remarked: “I am most grateful and thankful to all who make it possible to give me what the Lord would have me to be. I am grateful and thankful to everyone who shared their time to give me an understanding of life and in His most gracious and redeeming love, I know He will continue to keep me in His presence….”
Mrs. Holder also shared that, as a young person, she helped the elderly people within her community and was very much a “boy-girl”, who climbed every tree except the “silk cotton tree”, as it has thorns. “[I] climb every tree, do anything, anything. Everything that I put my hands to do and mind, I could get it done,” she said.
In a tribute to his mother, Sanderson (Sandy) Holder, the eldest surviving son remarked: “My mother was everything to me cause my father died at an early age and she had to look after the four of us and she was there for us every step of the way, and I want to thank Almighty God for bringing her to this stage of life and hope that He will continue to bless her and keep her in his arms….”
Mr Holder also noted that his mother was a “hard worker…reliable, caring, calm, quiet and loving”, who loved gardening and cooking.
The centenarian’s only surviving daughter, Claudette Jones, who paid tribute to her mother, said: “…We had a very good life that was afforded at that time.”
Ms. Jones continued: “After our dad died, my mother had the role of being mother and father…. My mother was a good cook, a good washer-woman, a good maker. She could give you the whitest whites, the best-tasting food, and her muffins were out of this world. I have never seen another muffin like the muffins she used to make.”
Ms. Jones further noted that “along with what the Master had chartered for her” the centenarian’s longevity could be attributed to “her attitude and faith”.
The centenarian’s daughter-in-law, Joyce Holder, shared that she has been an integral part of her life for over 50 years. “During that period, our relationship grew and developed until we had a very close bond. I believe that bond is based on love, mutual respect, and trust,” she said.
Mrs. Holder added: “She has been good to me in many, many ways, and I really appreciate her. She is a beautiful lady, and I see her as a mother…. Mother, ‘Happy Birthday’, my dearest, may God continue to shower you with many blessings.”
One of Mrs. Holder’s cousins, Janice Murray, remarked: “Mother gave us advice. She is very witty; she loves to laugh and oh how she loves to reminisce about the good old days. I continue to pray that God will continue to bless her and strengthen her for reaching this milestone and I pray God will continue to strengthen her family as well who take care of her. Mother congratulations, and God bless you, enjoy!”
Mrs. Holder attended the Clifton Hill Moravian School, St. Thomas, after which she assisted her mother who sold bread at Mount Wilton Plantation and Factory, in St. Thomas. She was instrumental in helping the elderly in her community. In 1961, she secured a job with the now National Conservation Commission, working as a caretaker of public facilities, until her retirement.
After retirement, Mrs. Holder, an Anglican, continued to focus on church activities, singing hymns, supporting her family, and pursuing the hobbies of cooking, gardening, and going for drives. Some of her favourite foods are cou cou and ground provisions.
Dame Sandra presented the centenarian with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a personalised card. Upon receiving the flowers, Mrs. Holder remarked: “I love flowers, thank you very, very much….”
After singing one of her favourite hymns, “God Will Take Care of You”, Mrs. Holder stood up, and with the aid of one of her granddaughters, Kimoi Jones, danced to Red Plastic Bag’s “I Am Alive”.
At the end of her visit, Her Excellency said: “I want you to continue to enjoy the rest of your birthday and the rest of the life that God will continue to give you…. I am honoured to be in your presence….”
Mrs. Holder, a widow, was married to Clarence Holder and had six children (four deceased), nine grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
