“Praise the Lord Hallelujah” – Richards, as she celebrates her 101st birthday

Gertrude Agatha Richards who marked her 101st birthday on June 18, celebrated her day with God, family, dancing and roast breadfruit.

“Praise the Lord Hallelujah”, the matriarch commented while sitting in her home filled with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws, caretakers and friends who had come together to prepare music, food and decorations for the big day.

When one of her granddaughter’s, Janice Olliver, commented to her that she is looking “sweet” in her blue dress and hair accessory, Richards (who believes in dressing well) joked, “I feel like an alright girl”.

The birthday party was at her home in Arnos Vale where she has lived for some years, but Richards is originally from Diamonds.

The 101-year-old is the youngest of three siblings, the others have already passed on.

Her late husband, Nicholas Pope/Mercury, left this earthly realm approximately 40 years ago.

However, the couple had decades together during which they owned a farm in the countryside. This may have been why Richards apparently had the strength to climb breadfruit trees when she was in her sixties. She remains very fond of roast breadfruit and tells her children all the time, “Breadfruit make me strong”. On her birthday on June 18 breadfruit was harvested and ready to roast.

The couple believed in holding God closely and raised their nine children to do the same. Richards ensured that they attended church on Sunday mornings and went to Sunday school in the afternoon, and was just as diligent with their academics.

The matriarch is said to be known for her generosity, and for giving all she has to others.

Daughter, Carmena Simmons, whose husband Cyrus Simmons also helps to take care of Richards was asked how she felt on her mother’s birthday.

“I feel blessed, I’m so, so blessed that I still have my mom in my life,” she revealed.

Adding, “It’s a blessing to know that she’s alive and we have third, fourth and fifth generation for my mom.”

In terms of health, her mother only experiences trouble with her knees.

It is for this reason that the 101-year-old who loves to dance was not able to dance as much as she did on her 100th birthday.

“It’s because of love why we are here today, to celebrate this special day and because we care that much for her so we have to show and be part of it,” her daughter also noted.

Granddaughter, Olliver, is part of a group of persons who assist the centenarian in her needs. Being a nurse, she is able to check her grandmother’s blood pressure and care for her in this way.

Olliver said she was excited for her grandmother’s birthday and, “I wanna say, to God be the glory great things he has done and he continues to do in granny’s life. You know, when I looked at her and see how she’s glowing – this is the grace of God.”

“I am happy for her and I say whatever else God has in store for her for the rest of the time while she’s on planet earth, I am grateful and we are all grateful today to be here with her,” She said further.

“When you come here she always give an encouragement and I could say, thank God for my granny, thank God for granny. Look on her face; Hallelujah she’s so happy,” Olliver said joyfully.