117-y-o still basking in visit from GG

WHILE YESTERDAY was the 117th birthday of the woman believed to be the world’s second oldest person, Vioris Brown, who has that enviable distinction, did very little celebrating, choosing to revel in the visit she got from Jamaica’s Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, the previous day.

On Thursday, Sir Patrick gave Brown and her family a pleasant surprise when he showed up at her home in Duanvale, Trelawny, to kick off a celebration for the appreciative centenarian. “I had to take a few minutes from the office to be a part of this significant event,” Sir Patrick told Brown. “I just wanted to come and see you, to praise you for your contribution to the society and Jamaica on the whole.”

REMINDED HIM OF ABRAHAM

When Sir Patrick told Brown that her longevity reminded him of the biblical figure Abraham, she caused him to break out laughing when she added, “and Isaac” another biblical figure).

“So you know your history,” added

I can see that you are very happy and that could be one of the reasons (for your longevity), too, alongside, you trust in God ... . You have put Jamaica in the history boo ks and we are happy for that.

Sir Patrick, with more laughter. Brown, who has lived in Duanvale all her life, induced more laughter from Sir Patrick as she spoke animatedly about the various factors that have contributed to her longevity.

“I can see that you are very happy and that could be one of the reasons (for your longevity), too, alongside, you trust in God,” remarked Sir Patrick. “You have put Jamaica in the history books and we are happy for that.”

Brown, a mother of six children, five of whom are still alive, was born on March 10, 1900. The composed centenarian, who is still a member of the Trittonville Baptist Church in Duanvale, where she was baptised 104 years ago, was the organist at the church for several years.