Maa Betty marks 100th birthday with a double celebration

WESTERN BUREAU:

Except for her ears, which she says is “a little lazy” at times, Lucille Alexandria Reynolds, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday, February 12, is enjoying near-perfect health, and she is eternally thankful to God for it.

“I am perfectly okay, nothing to complain about,” said the sprightly centenarian, who is affectionately known as ‘Maa Betty’. “I must give God thanks because he has been very good to me, and as I said, I can’t complain.”

According to adopted daughter Unita ‘Princess’ Walker, Maa Betty can hold a normal conversation on her cellular phone without the use of a hearing aid. She is also quite lucid, clearly recalling both recent and decades-old events without skipping a beat.

“She functions like a person in their 70s; she is very sharp, her sight and memory are fairly good, and without the aches and pains normally associated with old age,” she is doing very well. “She loves doing puzzles, and if she gets a puzzle book today, Sunday, I can guarantee you that it will be finished by Tuesday…cover to cover.”

Recently, Maa Betty, who resides in Farm Heights, had a double celebration – a party to mark her 100th birthday at the Grandiosa Hotel in Montego Bay on Saturday; and an event at her church – the Glendevon New Testament Church of God, on Sunday, to mark both her birthday and her 50th year of membership at the church.

“I enjoyed the party. I got to cut by birthday cake and to sing along to my favourite gospel songs,” said Maa Betty, expressing pleasure at the token of love arranged by the surviving two of her three children – sons Barrington and Keith Gooden, and family friends and well-wishers.

On Sunday, which was being celebrated as ‘Couples Sunday’ at her church, a section of the service was carved out to celebrate Maa Betty, who still maintains a healthy attendance record at church.

In a citation to Maa Betty, which was read by Marie Grey Reid, her service to the various church ministries, which includes serving on the senior and ladies’ choir, Sunday school teacher, alongside membership in both the women’s ministry and the golden orchid ministry, was highlighted.

“Reaching 100 years is a testament to God’s grace and faithfulness. It’s an opportunity to reflect on a lifetime of experiences, wisdom gained, and the countless ways God has sustained and guided you through the decades,” a part of the citation read. “As you are celebrating this milestone, it’s a time to give thanks for God’s enduring presence and to share the wealth of knowledge and faith accumulated over a century of living.”

After being presented with her gifts and enduring a second bout of cake-cutting in two days, a reflective Maa Betty took time out to thank God, saying he has been a central figure in her life...all her life.

“My parents were Catholic, so I grew up in the Catholic Church, but that church was not for me,” recalled Maa Betty, noting that she once broke away from the church, during which time she had her three children. “I returned to my godly calling when I became a member of this church (Glendevon New Testament Church of God) 50 years ago, and I have never looked back.”

Quizzed as to what is behind her longevity, a smiling Maa Betty put it all down to her love of God and his enduring mercies.

“It cannot be the food, because I eat like a cat…very little, although I drink a lot of juices. I eat chicken and fish, but no beef and the other stuff,” said Maa Betty, who grew up in downtown Montego Bay and attended the Chetwood Memorial Primary School before becoming a seamstress in her adult years.

When asked, based on her current excellent health, if she thinks she can go another 10 years, she laughed heartily before stating, “It is all in God’s hands. He has allowed me to live 100 years, so I will be satisfied with whatever He adds to it.”