One of Barbados’ most recent centenarians, Mrs. Muriel Alleyne, of Well Gap, St. Michael, celebrated her 100th birthday with family members, many of whom flew into the island for the event.
President of Barbados, Her Excellency, the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, paid a special visit via Zoom, as part of the celebrations.
Pastor Clyde Carrington of Little King’s Church in Butler’s Avenue, St. Michael, opened the session with prayers.
Mrs. Alleyne expressed her gratitude to God for reaching 100 years, sharing how she “loves the word of God”. She added that “as long as He gives me breath I ‘gine’ praise Him…. I ‘gine’ glorify Him”.
Her granddaughter, Khadija Smith, paid tribute to the centenarian, stating that she is strong, loving, firm, and has a good sense of humour. Ms. Smith noted that the centenarian was a “beacon and always puts her family first”, and she “worked extremely hard as a cook and a vendor to make sure her children were clean and never hungry”.
One of seven children, Mrs. Alleyne was born in Bow Road, Spooner’s Hill, St. Michael, and moved to Bush Hall, St. Michael, after her marriage to Arthur Alleyne (now deceased) in 1961.
She attended Grace Hill Primary School, where she reached 7th Standard. The centenarian worked as a cook at Austin’s Restaurant on James Street, Bridgetown, but then decided to start her own business as a vendor.
In 1980, at the request of her sister, the centenarian emigrated to the United States of America and worked as a bedside nurse, spending more than 25 years there before returning to Barbados.
The centenarian’s son, Dave (Sammy) Alleyne, shared that when he was 14, he accompanied his mother to a plantation in St. Philip to purchase potatoes, which involved digging and weighing them.
He noted that after they weighed and purchased the potatoes, the centenarian left with a “crocus bag on her head” and a bag in each hand. He said after assisting his mother by taking one of the bags, it was at that point he realised how hard she worked to feed the family.
Her Excellency told the family that they should “continue to revere” the centenarian who was responsible for the family being “where they are today”, to which they all agreed.
On behalf of Her Excellency, Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Jamal Wiggins, presented the centenarian with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine and a personalised card.
Mrs. Alleyne has four children, three girls and one boy; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and overall is in good health. One of her favourite foods is sweet bread.
