BY GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Ethel Smith and her granddaughter Angella Blake-Francis on their verandah.   Right: Ehtel Smith in her younger years. - George Henry photos Henry

spaldings, clarendon

Up to six years ago, Ethel Matilda Smith still stitched and sewed garments regularly. But, it seems age finally caught up with the centenarian as she is no longer able to do so. But, that has not stopped her from still stringing a needle.

'Miss Ethel' as she is affectionately called, will celebrate her 103rd birthday on February 16. She was born in 1904 and is the first of six children for Richard and Esidora Smith of Lesterfield in north west Clarendon. She is one of the only two remaining children for her late parents, as her 94-year-old sister is still living in that parish. Her husband Clement, died 27 years ago.

Smith, who was a skilled dressmaker, sewed her last garment six years ago, and up to three years ago, she was still washing her own clothes.

Mrs. Angella Blake-Francis, her grand-daughter, told Life and Times that 'Miss Ethel' stitched clothes for her when she was a young girl, and made the last garment for her when she was 12.

"The dress was so fashionable that I could not stop wearing it. I only stopped wearing it when it was outgrown and had to be discarded. It was so fascinating that each time I wore it, I was commended," said Mrs. Blake-Francis with a wide smile.

Mrs. Smith bore five children, however, unfortunately, her first daughter Elfreda who is the mother of Angella, died in 1998. It is said that the centenarian sang a solo at her daughter's funeral.

Though not very active these days, Mrs. Smith still walks around her house at Nineteen Miles district, off the Bustamante Highway in Clarendon. She attributes her being able to live for so long to the grace of God. She told Life and Times that because of contentment, she has been able to survive and that God has been good to her.

Miss Ethel said she has been a fan of fried chicken from her young days. While growing up, cow foot, breadfruit and sweet potatoes and yellow yam, were among her favourite food and formed a large part of her diet. These days, Irish potatoes and other soft foods are what she mainly eats.

Choir member

Ethel, who still sings very well, is a member of the Shiloh Gospel Hall Church in May Pen. She was given special recognition for her more than 52 years of service to the congregation in 2001. She said she did not receive a lot of education as her parents did not have enough funds to send her to school. So, as she was the eldest child, she had to stay home and take care of her siblings. She added that she learnt sewing at about age 15 and recalled having several customers. She said that embroidery was also one of her skills.

Her granddaughter informed Life and Times that Miss Ethel has never had any major illnesses. However, like many golden-agers, she said her grandmother has a little cold from time to time. Angella said her grandmother has never had any reasons to visit the doctor for anything major.

Mrs. Smith, who still sees very well, can even still thread a sewing needle. She only has a slight hearing problem. She wants Jamaicans to get close to God, be loving and kind, so that the peace which existed in former years could return to this blessed island. Children, she said, should try to be very obedient to their parents, so that their days could be long upon the land that God has given us.