Percival Smith marks 100th birthday with loving church family
by Albert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer · The GleanerWESTERN BUREAU:
DESPITE BEING physically impaired, Westmoreland’s newest centenarian, Percival Smith, is happy and thankful that he is alive to give God thanks for allowing him to celebrate such an important milestone.
Last Saturday, Smith, who was born on October 19, 1924, was in a joyous mood as his Christian brothers and sisters of the Holiness Born Again Apostolic Church in Westmoreland, joined him at Yvonne Nursing Home, where he now resides, to celebrate the occasion.
It was all love, laughter, and cherished memories as they reminisced on Smith’s century of faith and friendship with heartfelt speeches and prayers, which the newly minted centenarian clearly enjoyed.
Despite his diminished eyesight, the still-lucid Smith, a native of St Mary, imparted the word of God with precision and confidence, which evoked memories of his years of dedicated service to the church, singing praises as a member of the choir.
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Smith later told The Gleaner that he was not surprized by the visit from his church brothers and sisters as in his prime, he was very active in the Holiness Born Again Apostolic Church, so in the name of Christian brotherhood, he expected their support.
“I am not feeling much differently from any other time. However, I never knew that I would live for so long, especially in the last three months,” said Smith. “I thought I would have passed away because of how I am feeling in my body, not being able to see and the pains I am feeling.”
Smith’s wife, Marian, whom he married in 1965, died in 2003. While the union didn’t produce any children, he fathered two children from a previous relationship.
In reflecting on his early life, Smith said that he ran away from his Jaffrey Town home in St Mary to Race Course in Clarendon, but subsequently ended up in Westmoreland, where he worked odd jobs until he mastered the art of carpentry.
Recounting his life as a carpenter, Smith said he built several bloard houses for other people before building his first house at Gooden’s River. However, after he got notice to move from the land on which his house was situated, he used a donkey cart to move it to Seaton Street in Savanna-la-Mar.
Peter Scott, president of the men’s department at the Holiness Born Again Apostolic Church, said it was a joy for him to participate in the event to mark Smith’s 100th birthday.
“It is one of the rare occasions in our church for a member to live to see 100 years,” said Scott. “As a church, we have to fulfil our social responsibility and extend our love and appreciation for our brother.”
Monica Ewart, the church’s secretary, described Smith’s attaining centenarian status as a rare and special milestone for the church, noting that he was quite an active member before he became blind and as such, unable to attend as before.
Interesting, the church was instrumental in getting Smith into the nursing home and participating in his daily care, as he has no immediate family members.
“Brother Smith, despite his fading health, is still able to share the word of God from memory. He still can tell you what the scripture says. You just need to mention the book, chapter and verse of the Bible and he’ll recite it with much authority,” said Ewart.