Ethel May Channer. - George Henry

It was a celebration with a difference when the family of Ethel May Channer, better known as Miss Muriel, joined her to celebrate her 100th birthday on November 6, at the Wexford Court Hotel in Montego Bay.

Unlike other birthday celebrations where the highlight is the cutting of the birthday cake, Channer had a well put together programme. It took the form of a worship service at the start, before moving to the feast.

A pastor was on hand to conduct the worship segment. There was a scripture reading taken from Proverbs 31: 10-31, which speaks about a virtuous woman.

There were tributes, musical selections, homilies, reading of birthday cards, presentation of bouquet among other things in honour of Channer. Popular music promoter Tommy Cowan, who is the centenarian's nephew, also acted as emcee for the evening.

Family tree

At the centre of the evening's activities was a family tree with scores of names including that of the Channer and her late husband William. It also had children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Her autobiography was presented by grand-daughter Belinda Channer. She told the crowd that her grandmother was the first child for her parents Rhoda Salmon and Charles Cowan, and was born at Prospect in St Elizabeth, on November 6, 1908. When Channer was 11 months old, she lost her father and had to be raised by her grandparents Alexander and Francis Cowan of Mocho in New Market, St Elizabeth, visited regularly by her mother.

Ethel was a an obedient child to her grandparents and she lived with them until she married William Channer of Fyffe's Pen, in the parish, in 1936.

She attended the Nightingale Elementary School and the New Market Methodist Church where she was a member.

Her union with William Channer produced 10 children - seven girls and three boys. Her husband predeceased her in January 1976. Throughout her early years, she was an industrious and dedicated woman who stood by her husband and made life comfortable for her family. She was known as a God-fearing woman who raised all of her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Her lesson to all her children was that they should always seek to serve God.

"Ethel has 32 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren and a surviving sister Cyrena," said Belinda Channer.

Channer, although a centenarian, is still a voracious reader. Her sight is still pretty good, aided by a pair of glasses. She is also said to be a fan of the television.

"When she is unable to sleep, she likes to go through her drawers and organise her clothes. She will then take out her birthday, Christmas, Easter and other special-occasion cards and read them over," said her grand-daughter.

Although she is not able to move around as much as she used to, she still has and incredible memory and loves a good piece of chocolate bar. Belinda Channer told Life and Times that her grandmother was a great fan of breadfruit and salted fish. However according to her, these days she loves to eat vegetables and fruits. In addition to her chocolate, she likes to eat other sweets.

She also stated that her grandmother was an expert baker, who was good at making puddings and cakes.

Ethel Channer sits between her children, Keith (right) and Inez (left). She is also surrounded by her other children, (from right) Pamela, Raymond, Marnell, Joyce, Sonia, Melville and Beverley. - George Henry photos

Channer speaks with her nephew, Tommy Cowan.