‘Mama’ hits 100 milestone
Sassy centenarian demands that her legs are covered as she celebrates her birthday
WITH her strong voice, quick wit, and sharp memory, one couldn’t easily tell that Beryl “Mama” Boyd is 100year-old.
Boyd, who was born on April 13, 1924, was treated to a birthday celebration last Saturday in the presence of children, other relatives, church members and friends at her house in Padmore, St Andrew.
Dressed in a chic pink dress, head wrap and a birthday sash to complement her outfit, Boyd was cheerful as those who came out to share in the moment took turn paying tribute to her and taking pictures with her.
The hem of her dress slightly brushed her knees and was quickly covered with a towel after Mama declared, “Mi old, mi nuh young. Mi foot dem must cover up.”
Speaking with the Jamaica Observer following the formalities, Boyd said: “I was glad to see everybody. I feel proud seeing who I know, all who born and live in Padmore. I thank everyone for coming. And mi enjoy myself too, you know”.
Asked how she feels about reaching the big 100 mark, a sassy Boyd said, “Mi feel good man. Mi nuh must feel good? The grace of God and my kindness to people, mostly children, helped me to live this long.”
And even though she was gifted three cakes, one of which she cut with two of her nine children — who she bore in her union with the late Cecil Boyd — she said that she did not take a bite as she does not like the pastry. Butter, milk, and eggs are also on the list of things she does not like.
As for what she enjoys Boyd said: “I love to eat rice and peas, chicken and pork. Anything I get and I like, I’ll eat it and I mostly like to drink Pepsi”.
In her tribute, one of Boyd’s daughters Miranda Swaby said Mama would often say, “This nuh palatable at all” when she thought the food was not to her liking.
According to Boyd, she did all kinds of work for a living in her young days and enjoyed going to the Church of God in Christ in the community.
But now, as she doesn’t have a clear vision nor good hearing, she spends most of her days relaxing or spending quality time with anyone who visits.
“I used to do sewing, domestic work, selling, pottery work — all sorts of things. I can only see good out of my right eye because as you enter my yard, I will see you and sometimes I hear and sometimes I can’t hear. But God is still wonderful to me,” she said.
Asking what advice she has for young people, she said, “Have manners and live decent with people, respect people, and love people.”
Her grandchildren, too, were eager to share the special moments they enjoyed over the years with Mama.
Karen Rhoden described her as a very skilled woman who enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.
“She is very outspoken. She used to make straw hats and bags from silver thatch. She used to sew, dry bissy [Kola Nut] and pimentos and play with her grandchildren,” said Karen.
“She cooked the best hominy corn porridge with coconut milk and she loves coffee with only sugar. She is indeed a phenomenal matriarch and is well loved and appreciated,” added Karen.
Sharing a similar sentiment, her granddaughter Marsha Rhoden said, “Being with mama is fun, especially during the holidays. Mama grand kids are always with her. It was fun for us to walk with her to pick up bissy. We also liked to go to church to see mama dancing.”
Tori Dunbar-milton, Cassandra Sutherland-foster and Daviann Wilson did not hesitate when asked to share what they loved the most about their grandmother.
“What I love about her is her endurance and her dedication to family,” said Dunbar Milton.
Wilson added: “Mama is very sassy. She will not go around any corners with you; she tells you how she feels and she is also a jovial person who makes you laugh”.
While Sutherland-foster said, “What I like the most about my grandmother is the fact that she has good memory. When you go to her and tell her your name, she can tell you who your parents are.”
Another granddaughter, Kayan Davis, added, “When we saw Mama with her stick and bag on her head, we knew it was time for another adventure. Our journey proved difficult at times because of the rivers we had to cross, the winding roads, and the steep hills we had to climb.
“As we journeyed, Mama would make sure that we greeted everyone we passed appropriately, and she would converse with them for what seemed like hours. As a result, we frequently became a little frustrated since as children our ultimate objective was to get to our uncle’s house so we could catch tiki tiki [Gambusia] fish and crabs in the river. The memories we created along these journeys with Mama will last for a lifetime.”