Minneth Powell's mammoth milestone

The extended Dyer family hosted the 100th birthday party for centenarian Minneth Powell on December 27, 2010 in Sanguinetti, Clarendon. Friends and family from throughout the island and overseas made the special trip to Sanguinetti to share this special occasion with Miss Minneth.

Minneth Powell, affectionately called 'Gang-Gang', was born in Morrant, Clarendon, somewhere between December 7 and 25, 1910 to parents Isiriah and Rachel Russell (both deceased). She had two brothers Leeford and Sylvester, also both deceased.

Minneth had eight children. Four predeceased her - Caleb Powell, Neville Baker, Vincent Dunkley and Violet Dunkley. Four remain alive - Irene Dyer, the eldest; Gwendolyn Gayle, Claston Simpson ('Little Man') and Vernal Simpson, the youngest.

Minneth was very active; she went to the market and attended her church until she succumbed to blindness from glaucoma in 1976 or 1977. Gang-Gang is a loving grandmother, who loves to sing her favourite song, When the Roll is Called up Yonder. She often sang it in Spanish. She also enjoyed talking to the full moon saying, "Sister Moon, you come back to find me in the same way you left me. Thank God mi have a little something to show you."

Her grandchildren were always fascinated with her when she looked up at the moon and spoke. Gang-Gang has 40 grandchildren, 93 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.