Centenarian Eilene Meta Walkes relaxed on her special day at home with three of her daughters Asenath Walkes (standing), Mary Walkes, and Cynthia Cumberbatch (right).
To say that centenarian Eilene Meta Walkes is “still going strong” is no cliché.
She proved just that serenading three of her daughters with one of her favourite hymns, “O Help Us, Lord, Each Hour Of Need”, without a hitch.
The Belleplaine, St. Andrew resident, affectionately known as “Ma”, was at the time celebrating her 107th birthday quietly at home on Saturday.
Daughter and caretaker Asenath Walkes said her mother is doing well for her age, and on a typical day you can find her relaxing watching television and on the off chance would help shell peas.
Many persons living and schooled in the St. Andrew community would remember Walkes as a hawker at Alleyne School selling fruits, nuts, candy, and sugar cakes.
But who really is this God-fearing woman featured in the 2016 limited edition stamp issue – Centenarians of Barbados?
Her youngest daughter, Mary Walkes, recalled that unfortunately in 1923, her mother had to work as a child labourer on Parks Plantation and was not allowed to attend school.
“This broke her heart because she really enjoyed learning.”
She went on to marry Edmund Walkes at the tender age of 19 years, and from this union came 12 children – five now deceased. Her husband also passed away as well. She has over 40 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
“Ma has always been an anchor in the family. She was always there to give guidance, encouragement and to discipline the family when anyone misbehaved themselves. She would never hesitate to share licks, or as she would say ‘cut your behind’”.
Back in the day, Walkes was more than only a hawker, but a motherly figure as well for many students. Her daughters collectively praised her kind heart, recalling that she never allowed students to go hungry as she fed them without asking for anything in return. However, at the age of 65, she finally hung up her hat from vending at the school.
Also, Walkes, who is an avid cricket fan, could be seen on weekends selling at the playing field in East Coast Road during matches.
“That was her favourite sport and because of her excitement and love of the game she was soon given the title of the “unofficial umpire”. This passion for cricket lives on today,” Mary added.
Walkes, who was raised in the Anglican Church but converted to Seventh-day Adventist in the early 1970s, was called on by some of the congregation of Belleplaine Seventh-day Adventist Church offering her special prayers. (TL)