Buckingham Palace sends birthday wishes to Westmoreland’s newest centenarian, Alberta Campbell-Malcolm
Published:Monday | February 12, 2024 | 7:39 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
King Charles III and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, were among family, friends and well-wishers who took time out to celebrate Alberta Campbell-Malcolm’s centenary birthday under the night skies in the Westmoreland parish capital of Savanna-la-mar recently.
Standing at five feet six inches tall, ‘Miss Berta’, as she is affectionately known in her Grange Hill community, was born on February 2, 1924. Over the years, she gave birth to 12 children, six girls and six boys.
Her children collectively gave her 79 grandchildren and 74 great-grandchildren, many of whom gathered from 18 countries, including Jamaica, Canada, England and the United States, to celebrate her as their queen, protector and guardian angel during a birthday party held at the Shaun Lavery Faith Centre on Saturday, February 3.
“We are so pleased to know that you [Alberta Campbell-Malcolm] are celebrating your 100th birthday on February 2, 2024. This [birthday card] brings our warmest congratulations and heartfelt good wishes on such a special occasion,” said King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla in a postcard read by Shanice Campbell, the grand-niece of the super-centenarian.
Miss Berta told The Gleaner that she was surprised to hear that the King of England had sent birthday wishes for her.
“I am 100 years old, and my family and friends give me some gifts and so on, but I was never expecting to get birthday greetings from the royal family from England,” she said, smiling while looking at the pictures of the head of the British monarch on her birthday card.
“I have family living up there, but a message from King Charles for my birthday, that one surprises me,” Campbell-Malcolm said.
“The Bible said in everything to give thanks, even for small favours, but this one big,” said Miss Berta. “I am thankful for the birthday card from King Charles.”
As a member of the Assemblies of God Church in Grange Hill, Campbell-Malcolm, the Westmoreland western centenarian, who was celebrated in a royal setting, spared no opportunities to tell you how great her God is while thanking Him for keeping her alive and medically sound, despite her age.
“God is good. He kept me alive all these years, even though I have a little weakness in my knees sometimes,” she shared when asked about the secrets behind her gift of long life.
“I have been eating a lot of pork and roast breadfruit,” Miss Berta revealed as part of what she believes to be the reason she has been able to remain strong and healthy.
In her earlier years, Miss Berta worked at the West Indies Sugar Company, planting cane, while her late husband, Stanley Malcolm, was a butcher.
Merlene Dockery, one of Miss Berta’s six daughters, said she is a very loving and caring individual, both to her children and to members of the wider Grange Hill community.
“My mother is a queen; I am praying to God not to take her so that she can live forever,” Dockery said as she celebrated the significant milestone.
According to her, the family grew up very poor, but at no point that she can remember, were they ever forced to go to bed without a meal.
“She worked very hard, both at home and with the sugar cane company,” Miss Berta’s daughter said of her, noting that when she was not in the field working, she stayed home and made sure they were provided for.
“Mommy worked with the sugar cane company (West Indies Sugar Company) and was very busy in the planting seasons,” she added.
Miss Berta is a past student of Grange Hill Primary School, which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year as an educational institution that has produced several prominent graduates who have occupied top positions in Jamaica and around the globe.
Maxine Dockery, one of several granddaughters, said her grandmother has come this far with much grace and faith and that her life’s journey is a testament to the resilience and enduring power of the human spirit.
“Grandma, you should be proud of yourself, not because you’ve turned 100, but because you have lived the last 10 decades with integrity, honour and commitment to making our world a much more beautiful and loving place with you in it,” Dockery said.