One of Barbados newest centenarians, Ms. Glendora Ruth Phillips, celebrated her 100th birthday on July 8, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, near her home in Cave Hill Drive, St. Lucy.
President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, visited with the centenarian to help celebrate the occasion.
When asked by Her Excellency to share some thoughts about her family, Ms. Phillips replied: “I got great-grands and double-grands…. I praise God for them…. All of them are mine.”
As part of her tribute to her grandmother, Fiona Jiles shared that the centenarian raised her from a baby in arms, noting that the centenarian was her “primary caregiver and caretaker”, who instilled strong morals within her.
Ms. Jiles added: “She made sure I went to church and had the love of God within me…. Granny has a strong belief in God and would testify to everyone she met about Him; she loves to read her Bible.”
Ms. Phillips is a member of Mount Summit New Testament Church of God, St. Lucy, and often walks, unaided, to church. She was born and raised in Cave Hill, St. Lucy, where she continues to reside.
After attending St. Clements Girls’ School, St. Lucy, the centenarian turned to agriculture and was a labourer at Turner Hall Plantation, St. Andrew, as well as at Portland Plantation, St. Peter, until retirement.
In addition to singing, cooking and giving advice, the centenarian loves cou cou and flying fish, fruit (especially mangoes) and enjoys KFC’s drum sticks. Her family commented on how hard she worked to raise her family and to help those in the community.
Member of Parliament for St. Lucy, Peter Phillips, noted that the centenarian “is one of the mothers in this community I grew up with…. I am thrilled to celebrate with her…. May God bless you richly.”
Dame Sandra presented the centenarian with a floral arrangement, a bottle of wine and personalised card, this was followed by a toast to the centenarian.
Ms. Phillips had six children (two deceased), and has 21 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.
Troy Barker