Mon | Mar 20, 2023

110 and counting!

Published:Saturday | March 13, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Elecia Thummings cutting her birthday cake with her great-great-grandson Michael Grant at the Falmouth Infirmary last Saturday. Sharing in the moment are, from left: Michelle Grant, Councillor Jonathan Bartley and Swedy-Ann Rennis. Seated is Devonne Grant. - Photo by Rochard Morais

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

Within days, two residents of Trelawny have reached the 110-year-old mark. Elecia Thummings reached the milestone on Saturday.

The celebration was shared with residents of the Falmouth Infirmary. Although not a resident of the facility, the senior citizen was taken to the infirmary for the celebration by her grandson, Councillor Jonathan Bartley, former mayor of Falmouth. Bartley said he was taking her from the doctor once when she requested to visit the infirmary and, therefore, he took her back for her birthday. The residents shared her birthday cake and a beverage.

God's grace

Thummings was able to relate many incidents, recalling how she saved the former mayor's life from a machete wielder over 50 years ago when he came to their home to exact vengeance on the family because of a beating he got from her now deceased husband. She attributes her longevity to God's grace.

Miss Letie, as she is lovingly called, is one of those strong Jamaican women who worked on the Hampden Sugar Estate. She moved to Falmouth before going on to Wakefield, where she now resides.

Also participating in the event were her great-granddaughters, Mrs Michelle Grant and Swedy-Ann Rennis, and great-great-grandchildren Devonne and Michel Grant.

- Richard Morais