Weithers reaches 100-year milestone

Barbadian centenarian Kenneth Weithers has lived a fulfilled life, having lived and worked in Britain for almost three decades as part of the Windrush generation before returning home to enjoy his retirement.

And he was all smiles on Wednesday as family and friends gathered at his 8th Avenue West Terrace, St James residence to celebrate his 100th birthday with him. Weithers, who appeared to be in good spirits, also received a virtual visit from Acting President The Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey Gibson.

His relatives shared some of his life story with Dr Gibson, telling him that Weithers, the only surviving child of his parents’ five offspring, was born and raised in Rectory Hill, St Peter.

After completing his education at the now defunct Speightstown Boys’ School, he worked as a gardener at a private residence before moving on to Haymans Sugar Factory.

Weither moved to England in 1961 and his wife Carmen-Pearl, now deceased, joined him a year later. They returned to Barbados in the 1990s.

Their union produced six children, three of whom Weithers has outlived. He has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The centenarian was described by one of his daughters, Marilyn Alleyne, as a happy, contented individual who enjoyed playing card games, taking walks, reading, and solving mathematical problems.

She said while her father has a touch of dementia, his doctor was satisfied that he was generally in good health.

Alleyne explained that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Weithers looked forward to attending a daycare facility where he participated in activities and interacted with other senior citizens and staff.

“He loves horse racing because when he lived in England he would occasionally drive for miles just to see those horses racing. We have taken him to the Garrison Savannah a good couple of times. And when we are out driving we point out landmarks so he knows when he is at Kensington Oval, he knows when he is at the Garrison. He could have directed you, pre-COVID, to the daycare,” she said.

“If you are going out he has to check that you have petrol, that you shut the doors. When we had the ashfall, he said it was like war time, he said it was dark and you couldn’t go out and to him war time was dark and rainy. So, when we couldn’t open the windows and things that we are accustomed to doing, to him it was like war times, it was hard.” (AH)