Ivan Sterling – 101 and still going strong
Published:Tuesday | January 21, 2025 | 12:07 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
One year after he celebrated his 100th-year milestone, Ivan Sterling is still basking in the honour of being a centenarian following the recent celebration of his 101st birthday with his family and other well-wishers who paid tribute to his longevity and love for God.
“I am feeling good to live to see this age. The reason why mi live so long is because mi eat good food, praise God, and show love to others,” Sterling said proudly.
Reflecting on his long life, for which a special service was held at the Norwood Seventh-day Adventist Church in Norwood, St James, on January 12, Sterling recounted his earlier days when he used to work as a farmer and planted a wide variety of crops following the end of his formal education at age 14.
“Mi used to plant mi own food – cassava, okra, banana, plantain, yam, broad beans, sorrel, cucumber, and sugar cane – and mi never use fertiliser; mi did use rotten wood instead. Mi used to farm mi own chickens, and mi also love goat meat and fish. Mi special menu on the farm was goat meat soup. Mi still eat banana that mi plant around the back of the house,” said Sterling.
“My greatest problem is my foot, and mi can’t move around freely, but when you get old, all kind of things will happen to you. But mi use mi cane or mi wheelchair and get around with the help of my family,” the centenarian added.
Born in Home Hill
Sterling was born on January 12, 1924 in the Home Hill community near Ironshore, St James, the third of seven children for parents Samuel Sterling and Princess Black. In addition to his personal farming, he worked for a time at the Ironshore Sugar Estate, spent 25 years as a tractor driver with the St James Parish Council (now the St James Municipal Corporation), and acted as captain of the Albion community’s cricket club.
In 1956, he met and married his first wife of 32 years, Elvira Sterling (née Walker) and, after she died in 1989, he married his second and current wife, Velma, in 2000. The centenarian fathered a total of 16 children (three now deceased), and has 35 grandchildren (two deceased) and 53 great-grandchildren.
Daughter Hope Sterling expressed gratitude that her father was granted the strength to see his 101st birthday.
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, reflecting on the incredible life he has lived and the countless memories we have shared. Reaching 101 years is a testament to his resilience, strength, and determination,” said Ms Sterling. “His life has spanned a century, witnessing history unfold, and adapting to changing times with grace and curiosity.”
Another daughter, Betty Sterling, was likewise ecstatic about her father’s grand age, saying, “I am very happy to know that Dada has reached the milestone of 101 years. We, the family, are very proud and hope that, by God’s grace, he will live to see many more years to come.”