Vivacious and outspoken, Muriel Walker, Barbados’ newest centenarian, shared stories of her past as she celebrated her birthday yesterday.
In the company of family and President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, Walker regaled those present with her experiences as a mather and a devout member of the church.
Surrounded by her family in the living room of her home in McClean’s Gap, Brittons Cross Road, St Michael, she called on her son Hughie Walker to show the President her list of certificates from the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
She sharply recalled each of these qualifications, which included a licence to preach and a certificate of missionary appointment from the church.
Grandmother to Giselle Walker, the centenarian lived an eventful life. As a teenager, she left her home to try her luck on her own and moved in with a friend before meeting her late husband Harold Walker.
In her teenage years, she worked as a maid and later became a housewife upon marrying her husband, growing crops in her own kitchen garden and raising chickens while at home.
Walker attributed her long life to the pursuit of inner peace, taking time to do important things and her faith in God.
She is one of three members of the family to reach the 100-year mark. One of her aunt’s lived to 102 while another relative was said to have reached 113.
Her niece Marcia Moseley credited her aunt’s long life to her indomitable fighting spirit and positive demeanour.
“As you can see, she has a fighting spirit. She’s very positive, she wants good things in life, she demands the best and she dislikes people who are disrespectful to her,” Moseley said.
“Her memory is exceptional for her age and she’s always for her son,” she continued. “She made sure that he had a good education and she always encouraged him.” (JRN)
