Celebrating her birthday on October 8, 2024, was one of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Muriel Walker, who was joined at her residence in McClean’s Gap, Britton’s Cross Road, St. Michael, by family members and close friends.
The President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason was one of her specially invited guests.
Mrs. Walker shared with Her Excellency that she is “happy ”, and attributed her happiness to having “the strength to welcome, to say hello”, noting that “not too many people make this journey”.
The centenarian, who has a deep trust in God, believes that people are worrying too much, and this can affect their longevity. Mrs. Walker admitted that she faced several challenges growing up, and in those days, “it was not a nice time”. Noting that one had to have “a set mind”, she said: “Young people have to set their mind to be somebody or to be nobody.”
She also stressed the need to enjoy life and to always be truthful, cautioning that when it comes to the truth, we should always be prepared to prove it. “You can’t always be on your guard, live a life… ya got to show that ya telling the truth,” she said.
Mrs. Walker also shared that individuals need to take charge of their lives and not watch what others are doing or gaining. “You have to get a grab of your life, not ‘she’ life or ‘he’ life, you(r) own life and decide what you can make out of your life,” she pointed out.
As part of his tribute to his mother, Hugh Walker, the centenarian’s only child, shared that his mother instilled in him good morals and the need for a good education. Mr. Walker remarked: “If it is one thing that mum always made sure of, that she impressed on me, ‘always get a good education’, and to be strong and truthful and to live life in a positive manner.”
Born in Josey Hill, St. Lucy, Mrs. Walker, attended St. Clements School, St Lucy, and later, Speightstown Girls School. As a result of her large family, she was invited by a family friend to stay with the family as they had no children. During her stay with that family, she performed many domestic duties for the family.
After school, she became a domestic for several families until she met and married Harold DaCosta Walker (now deceased) and they eventually settled down in the current location of the family home in McClean’s Gap, Britton’s Cross Road, St. Michael.
While married, Mrs. Walker remained at home and raised their only child. She took the initiative and converted some land next to the house into a kitchen garden, to help feed the family and to earn some money. Some of the produce included bananas, plantains, sugar apples, pumpkins, passion fruit, green peas, and avocado.
The centenarian was very active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, at Collymore Rock, St. Michael, and earned a licence to preach. She served as President of the Women’s Association and was appointed as a Church Missionary.
Mrs. Walker was instrumental in raising funds for the Church to assist with the building and general maintenance. She was happy to be able to show the awards and certificates of appreciation she received due to her work at the Church.
While not as physically active as before, Mrs. Walker continues to engage with her friends and family. She listens intently to church services and receives communion at home.
The centenarian enjoys eating everything, strives to be as independent as possible, and turns to her caregivers only when necessary.
When Dame Sandra inquired about how she would spend the rest of her day, Mrs. Walker replied: “Enjoy you all’s company, get something to eat and go and lie down and sleep and when I wake up, I [will] pray.”
Dame Sandra presented the centenarian with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a personalised card. She thanked Dame Sandra for the gifts, and at the flowers, she remarked: “They are pretty…. This is my joy.”
At the end of her visit, Her Excellency said: “It has been a pleasure being here and I want you to enjoy the rest of your day… Thank you all for having me and it has been a beautiful morning. I thoroughly enjoyed it and please continue to take good care of her, she is a treasure.”
Mrs. Walker has one living sibling, a son, and one granddaughter.
Troy Barker