Damion Mitchell, Freelance Writer
Miss B tends the soul likewise the soil.
BALACLAVA, St. Elizabeth
At age 90, Mrs. Beatrice Foster of Mount Pleasant near Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, is an active farmer.
Born on August 16, 1910, "Miss. B" as she is mostly called, said her life was "very rough" for the major part.
Recalling that her parents were poor, she observed that they worked assiduously to make life for their seven children (three of whom are still alive).
After completing basic school, Miss B joined her sister at Content Primary School in St. Elizabeth. However, at age 12 they both had to quit school to take care of their ailing grandmother, Margaret Whitter, while their parents went job-hunting to support the family. Grandma died at age 100.
On December 28, 1932, Miss B married John Foster. They had six children: Seberth, Archibald, Eileen, Hennis, Olive and Iva.
In June 1950, Mrs. Foster's father passed away and two months later her mother followed. A few years after the death of her parents, Mrs. Foster's husband also died.
She recalled that life became even harder, adding that she had to work on the field of several established farmers in her district to earn a few shillings (in those days) to support her children. Miss B also planted peas and bananas and made bammys for sale.
Olive Foster-Linnepe, 58, daughter, was three years old when her father died. She proudly remarked: "Mama brought up all her children in a mannerly way, although under poor circumstances".
Olive remembers when her mother made uniforms for her from flour bags. "There were days we would return from school for lunch and all we could find were wild berries and fruits on the trees near the yard", said Olive.
She stated they were born poor, but richly loved. Miss B recalled that tears came to her eyes one day when she witnessed two of her children sitting in front of their fathers' tomb singing: "Two little children were playing one day down by the dark river side, they were singing, shouting and praying, the Lord will provide one day".
Mrs. Foster who is the oldest person in her community has been a dedicated Christian for several years. She worships at the Amos Gospel Hall and the St. Paul's Anglican Church.
However, presently she attends the New Testament Church of God in Mount Pleasant which is closer to her.
Mrs. Foster has had a life-long passion for teaching and yearned to become a teacher.
Miss B still reads without the use of glasses. Additionally, she continues to impress with her excellent memory and gift of eloquence.
She praised her children for prevailing against the odds to achieve a comfortable life.
Mrs. Foster has appealed to the youth to be focused, honest, persevering and most importantly spiritually guided in the quest for their goals.
