Centenarian credits long life to obedience

Last Thursday, Kerdell Pinnock became a centenarian. When asked how it felt to have reached the milestone, she exhaled and answered swiftly "It feels good Miss, and it is a blessing to be here."

Pinnock, who is the 11th of 13 children for her mother, credits her long life to obedience.

"Me was obedient to my parents and, when them send me go do anything, me gone, and me never give no trouble," she said. "My mada was a strict lady but my fada never really beat we so often."

Growing up in Bruntie District, Manchester, Pinnock said life was good and she enjoyed being part of a tightly knit family.

"Life was good growing up. Me use to go school and church and we had meetings at night. I loved school and me did want was to study, but me mada never have much money. So she buy a machine give me to sew," she said.

Showered with love

At age 26, Pinnock met the love of her life, William Pinnock, and moved to Sandy Park, Clarendon and started her family. She shared six children with William before he died in 1974.

"Our relationship was very good because him quiet suh 'til, him don't curse any bad word or nothing," she said. Pinnock spent her special day last week with her offspring at home where she was showered with love and great food.

The Pinnocks were farmers and they were able to use their earnings to send all of their children to school. Pinnock told THE STAR that she was very strict on education.

"Not only that but she also cared deeply for her family," her third child, Marva Pinnock, 62 chimed in. "I remember when her father got old and sick, we had to walk with her from Sandy River to Frankfield to get a bus to Christiana to look after him. She made it her point of duty and I think that is one of the blessings that she is getting now why she is still alive today," Marva told THE STAR. "Me just feel good that she live to see such a old age."

Pinnock had some advice for 'the young people'.

"I just want them to live good with each other and to do what their parents tell them to do," she said.