Aunt Lee enters centenarian club

Eleather Richards celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, April 14, at her home in Victoria, Clarendon.

The centenarian, who is fondly called Aunt Lee, rolled back the years as she sang her favourite hymn, Precious Lord hold my Hands, when THE STAR visited her shortly after her birthday party, which was held via Zoom.

Her granddaughter, Audrey Ricketts, said she has never seen Aunt Lee visiting the doctor, or even complaining of being sick. Aunt Lee, she said, was a farmer in her younger days. She sold produce in the market and is a devout Christian.

"I would credit her longevity to never taking doctor medicine and being very active," Ricketts shared.

"She is a community person who everyone looks up to. She is still one of the church mothers. Everybody looks up her in the community," Ricketts added.

Aunt Lee, who had 13 siblings, was born to Charles and Aroda Ellis. There were glimpses of her 'troublesome' self as our photographer took her pictures as she teased "teck wha you get!"

DISPLAY OF LOVE

Dr Sylvanus Thompson, Richards' only surviving of her four children, connected via Zoom, and her face lit up. As the two chit-chatted, there was no missing the love between them.

Thompson, 69, who resides in Canada, is a public health professional and former Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board member for Canada. He said he credits his work ethic and drive to his mother, who had a tremendous influence on him.

"My mother taught me the value of hard work and being committed to whatever I want to achieve," he shared from his home in Canada.

He regrets the fact that he could not be in Jamaica to celebrate the milestone with his mother.

"Plans were being made for an elaborate centenary celebration for her. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, we were limited to a virtual celebration," he said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, who is Aunt Lee's granddaughter, describes the newly minted centenarian as her spiritual adviser.

"Aunt Lee has always been a source of inspiration and strength for me. She taught me to be confident and bold," she shared via telephone.

According to Lindsay, Aunt Lee insisted from her childhood that she stays close to God.

"I recalled in my worst moments, all I needed to get going was her prayers. God has kept her," Lindsay said.