Newest centenarian praises God for life

Barbados’ latest centenarian is a lady of few words, but her family and friends say she has helped many in need and served her church well.

Marion Murrell, who celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, not only walked a long way from her Layne’s Road, Clapham, St Michael, home to take care of a
family member when they were helpless. But, she also journeyed many Saturday mornings to clean the Deliverance Temple church, where she has been a member for over 40 years.

And though she is now unable to take that ten- minute walk to church, the members bring worship sessions to her home, where she enjoys singing praising God.

Sitting in her wheelchair, dressed in a green frock and wearing a white hat that showed off her grey and black curls, Murrell whispered she was happy to reach the milestone.

She said her love for God and a healthy diet helped her to get there.

Murrell, whose five children are all alive, was showered with love and gifts from her family and friends.

She also received a special visit from Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave, who brought her flowers and birthday cards, and shared a toast with her.

The centenarian’s last child, Hilary Murrell, explained that when his mother laboured on a plantation for many years, her colleagues referred to her as the “minister of peace and quiet” because she never got into any fights or confrontations.

“She was a very hard worker. She worked on the plantation for many years and even when she retired from that, she was doing domestic work and also found time to help family members and friends,” Hilary said.

Murrell is cared for by the third of her five children, Oscar Murrell, who relatives say “is doing a fantastic job” with meeting her daily needs.

She is now unable to leave home on her own because of a weak leg, but spends much of her time enjoying quiet moments.

Murrell has nine grand-children and seven great-grands.
(AH)