Glad Tidings for ‘Mama Marcus’ on her 101st birthday
A SECTION of Williams Lane, Old Harbour Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine was on Friday transformed to accommodate the celebration of the 101st birthday of Clarissa Marston, affectionately called ‘Mama Marcus’.
Marston, who is visually impaired and hard-of-hearing, was born on February 9, 1923 in Decoy district, Clarendon.
Her mother was Ethlyn Pryce, a vendor, and her father was labourer Daniel Marston.
“Mi is di second chile fi mi parents,” Marston said.
She moved to St Catherine and became a member of the Old Harbour Road Glad Tidings Open Bible Church of which she has been a member for more than 50 years.
The 101-year-old Marston, a devout Christian, was the toast of the occasion as she celebrated her birthday with close family and extended associates.
“I became a Christian in 1969 and saw her as a member. She would guide us; now we come to worship with her, as she can’t come. It is a good feeling to be with her today,” said church member Delores Irving.
Marston’s daughter, Dorothy Minott, described the matriarch as a ‘blessed’ woman.
“She (my mother) is God-fearing, kind, caring, giving and disciplined in her way of life and she imparted that to all of us. I remember taking groceries to her and she would cook it and shared it with anyone who comes along, ”Minott said.“My mother is also prayer warrior. I have seen her being admitted to hospital and she would often pray for the staff there.”
The centenarian was adorned with words of love and adoration from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the Glad Tidings church community.
Her caregiver and granddaughter, Monique Barrett, said it was a joy to return the care to Clarissa.
“My grandmother don’t eat pork or chicken. She loves special things like cow skin, oxtail and fish, but not the sliced one, as she have to feel the head and tail before she eat,” Barrett said.
Shian Lewis described Marston as a true inspiration and a helping hand to her.
“I know her from I was born, as she was the one in whose hands I was born,” Lewis said. “She is a true Christian who never missed church and would take her worship to the hospital. I am truly glad to see [us] celebrating her today,” Lewis concluded.
Nephew Samuel ‘ Sammy Question’ Turner said his aunt’s teachings remain relevant in his life.
“I remember her cooking and sharing for the community from whatever was available. It taught us kindness and love. [I am] thankful to her as we need that now,” Turner said.
Another granddaughter, Yolando Sutherland, was equally appreciative of Marston’s impact on her life.
“I do remember that she was a milliner (repaired hats) and also sewed our clothes. In fact she would stitch my dolls clothing. My grandmother’s rice and peas tasted very delicious without any meat, but she was a disciplinarian and we love her,” Sutherland said.
Bishop Winston Sangster, of the Old Harbour Road Glad Tiding, said Marston, the oldest member of the congregation, is truly a woman of God.
Her strength and longevity comes through her constant prayers and her kindness. I wish her many more years ,” Sangster said.
She has five children, 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.