Brainerd mum marks 100 years of resilience and family

Reaching 100 is achievement enough; doing so after blindness, cancer and COVID-19 is rather more impressive. Wedie May “Mum” Howell, born in 1926 and long the quiet centre of life in Brainerd district, St Mary, recently marked her hundredth year with a family gathering on February 6.

A devout Christian, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ more than 75 years ago and still attends services at the Lucky Hill United Church.

The fourth of 12 siblings, May Howell began school at the age of eight at Brainerd All Age in 1934. There she learnt to sew; she instead turned to higglering, buying and selling farm produce in markets across the parish, from Highgate and Glengoffe to Coronation Market in Kingston.

“As her love for higglering grew so did her supply of goods and she realised that there was a great demand for sarsaparilla,” commented Stacy Morrison, a grandchild.

This became one of her biggest selling produce, and at times it was the only item May Howell would take to the market to sell.

At the age of 22, she met and married her late husband, David Howell. Their union produced 17 children, 10 of whom were raised to adulthood.

May Howell’s long life has been marked by hardship as well as resilience. She was once struck blind, later diagnosed with colon cancer, and eventually contracted COVID-19.

Yet, “miraculously through the grace of God; she has been cured from all those illnesses,” the granddaughter said.

May Howell’s family speaks of a woman whose generosity borders on instinct. “Grandma is very caring and kind as no one comes to visit her and leaves on an empty stomach as she always finds something to offer no matter how small it may be. She is respected and loved by adults and children and she has a good relationship with everyone,” Morrison said.

Despite her age, May Howell remains active. According to her granddaughter, the centenarian enjoys watching television and socialising with family and friends, and “even though she is 100 years old, there is no task too difficult for her to independently complete, as from time to time she prepares her own meals, do laundry, among other chores around the house.”

Her memories paint a picture of a Jamaica long past. Life was hard; her parents were poor and the family lived in a bamboo and dirt house. The children were expected to help on the farm. Yet poverty did not dampen their spirit.

Adulthood brought no less toil. She worked tirelessly as a higgler and often assisted her husband on the farm. Raising many children demanded relentless effort. May Howell’s granddaughter described her as “very caring and understanding. Very slow to anger and she always create a welcoming environment for everyone—friends and strangers alike. She is a children spoiler as she spoils her grandchildren and great grand children. Often times she gets offended if they are spanked by their parents.”

Open hearted and unflinching, May Howell “offers valuable advice and is not afraid to discuss very touchy and personal topics that most people her age would not talk about,” Morrison said.

May Howell remains lively and engaged. Today she presides over a vast family: 34 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She enjoys yam, sweet potato and cassava, and begins every morning with a cup of bissy tea with coconut milk.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com