Barbados has another supercentenarian.
Retired plantation worker Millicent Yearwood turned 110 years old today, bringing the number of people in Barbados who have reached that age, to three.
Friends and family joined her in celebrating the significant milestone at her Fitts Village, St James residence, along with chairman of the National Assistance Board Senator Dr David Durant who prayed for her continued health and longevity and chairman of the National Committee on Ageing, Sylvester Niles who presented her with a gift.
Yearwood’s only child Mavis Small-Raper said her mother, who also has seven grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren, was still very active and in relatively good health despite a few challenges and was very independent, feeding, bathing and dressing herself.
“The sight is very good but the hearing is going…[but] she does everything for herself,” Small-Raper said, adding that her mother still loves a meal of cou-cou as well as ground provisions.
She added that the supercentenarian is also still an avid church goer and has been attending the Church of God in Welchman Hall for over 70 years.
Noting that her mother spent most of her day sleeping, she added that at night she could often heard be heard singing hymns, including Trust and Obey and How Sweet the Name of Jesus, which she sang before today’s ceremony.
As Yearwood’s primary caregiver, Small-Raper told those gathered that she enjoyed taking care of her mother and was happy she could reach this milestone.
“The Lord has allowed her to see this day,” the daughter declared.
Niles said Yearwood’s details would be forwarded to the Gerontology Research Group, a global group of researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles, United States who verify and track super-centenarians.
Barbados’ other two supercentenarians were Emily Clarke, who died on June 1, 2013, at the age of 110; and James Sisnett, the island’s oldest man and the world’s second oldest man, who died on May 23, 2013, at the age of 113.
Congratulations to Ms. Yearwood on reaching this significant milestone. She seems to be in good shape. She has helped to put us on the map. May she continue to enjoy good health.
Congratulations to Ms. Yearwood on reaching this significant milestone. She seems to be in good shape. She has helped to put us on the map. May she continue to enjoy good health.