Within the embrace of family and surrounded by gifts and floral arrangements from them, Marie Ernesta Phillips celebrated her 100th birthday on September 22, 2022, at her home in Husbands, St. James. Throughout the morning, the flow of visitors and gifts continued.
As part of the celebrations, Ms. Phillips received a special visit via Zoom from Acting President of Barbados, His Excellency, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson.
Also visiting was Pastor Leon Phillips of the King Street Seventh Day Adventist Church who led the proceedings with a prayer and reflections on her commitment to God.
When asked by His Excellency “what has sustained you through the years?” Ms. Phillips responded, “loving people and keeping faithful to God”.
The centenarian, who currently lives with her daughter Margaret-Ann Joseph, first commented on her care. She said: “I do really admire all that has been done for me by dear daughter Margaret-Ann. She stands by me…which is an asset that I can call on anytime, any hour of the night”.
Ms. Phillips had a long and progressive career in child care, first at the Farr’s Children’s Home, St. Peter (now the Maria Brewster Centre at Farrs) and then at Glendale Children’s Home, St. Thomas, in the early 1970’s until retirement.
When requested by His Excellency to share some career insights, the centenarian responded: “I have always been very very sincere with my job and I know that I am being blessed.”
She noted that she cared for the children within each of the homes as though they were hers personally and stressed: “Not that I was being paid to take care of them…that is how I felt about them all.”
Grandson, Mathew Joseph, in a tribute to her, said: “…You have been the glue that kept us together…. It was what moulded all of us and everybody here that knows you, loves you here because of you…. Happy 100th.”
Businessman, Andrew Bynoe, owner of Carlton A1 Supermarkets and Emerald City, visited with the centenarian and acknowledged that Ms. Phillips telephones him every day and prays for both he and his family.
The centenarian, remarking that she spends her days “praying honestly”, told all those celebrating the occasion: “I really want to pray for all of you…. You all have been very very pleasant…. I am serious about that.”
In closing, His Excellency stated: “You have been sustained….by a life of prayer and you not only do it for yourself but for others…I take this further opportunity to extend unto you best wishes for an enjoyable birthday…. May God’s grace surround you, day by day.”
On behalf of the His Excellency, Sub-Lieutenant Jamal Wiggins presented the centenarian with a bottle of wine, a basket of flowers and a personalized card.
Ms. Phillips, who enjoys eating tilapia with anything, was also the mother of the late Don Marshall (Sir Don) and has four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.
Troy Barker