The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

FAMILY and friends recalled a century of love, memories and triumphs as they celebrated the life of Cecelia Smith, who turned 100 on Tuesday.

During a small luncheon held in her honour at the St Joseph Day’s Care Centre, Mrs Smith, the younger sister of the late Simpson Penn, said it was the grace of God that has kept her “this long”.

Mrs Smith said she was humbled to see members of her family and the religious community on hand at the Boyd Road centre to cheer and celebrate on her big day, calling it “a gift” to be as well aware as she is at her age.

“100 years is a lot to so many people, but 100 to me is happiness and family and God. That is what kept me. I became a Christian at 15-years-old; from then till now I have prayed and stayed close to God,” she said. “Prayer was something that was always important to me. It is something that I passed on to all of my children and to their children.”

The matriarch of a family of seven children, 57 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with her late husband James Williams Smith, Mrs Smith said she still finds joy in helping those around her when she can.

“I have seven kids, all who I raised to respect God and love each other. They can tell you, prayer was important in our family and their actions shows that. Family is important to me, and it means so much to have my kids here with me on this day. My other family who are here are special too, but I am so happy to have my daughters here with me today.”

She told of her pride in her brother, after whom the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys is named. “Simpson? Simpson was my brother and he was very respected throughout the community. He took care of the children, he loved children and did all he could to help them be great people. Simpson also loved the Lord. That is what made him so good to people, his love for God guided all of his actions.”

A major figure in the historic East Street community, Mrs Smith remains a dedicated member of her neighbourhood Church of God of Prophecy.

An avid baker, musician and home maker in her prime, Mrs Smith was born on November 22, 1916, a time when the First World War was still raging in Europe.