Viola Agatha McPherson, surrounded by family and loved ones, celebrated her 100th birthday at AME Zion Church on March 11th, finally fulfilling a life-long desire.
McPherson, daughter of Hepzibath Pollard and Joseph Brown, was born in Craig, East Bank Deme-rara, but lived in Lowood River before relocating to Georgetown. She is the eldest and lone survivor of 5 siblings, a mother of 11, (of whom only 4 are still living), 28 grandchildren, 83 great-grandchildren, 96 great-great- grandchildren and 8 great-great-great-grandchildren and indeed blessed to live to see her 5th generation.
She had her first child at age 15 and another a year later, before meeting the love of her life, Victor Alexander McPherson, while working as a cook at a Timber Grant, located in the interior. Soon after they returned to his hometown of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, married in April 1947, and started a family with her husband before becoming owners of a farm.
McPherson worked long, hard hours and sold her harvest at the La Penitence Market. In 1980 her husband died of a stroke, leaving McPherson to continue the work on the farm up until 1984 when she was badly injured in a motorcycle accident. She then sold the farm and migrated. On her visits back home to Guyana she would occasionally assist her family in the rearing of the younger generation.
During an interview with Stabroek News, when asked about the secret to longevity, McPherson said the secret is in how we live our lives, to this she added that her method and advice to dealing with stress is prayer. She recalled attending school in Georgetown as her happiest childhood memories. She came to the city after her mother passed when she was just 12 years-old, leaving her to depend on her maternal grandmother.
On a typical day, McPherson’s favourite pastime includes reading the Bible, watching church services and sharing the word of God with everyone she comes into contact with. She enjoys being surrounded by family, blessing their presence with her jovial personality, she is known for her homemade tasty oats porridge, and her friendly and giving nature.
McPherson also called “Mother,” is a healthy and agile centenarian, who now resides with her daughter in the United States of America and she is grateful to be still among the living.
Colleen Roberts, Administrative Assistant attached to the Ministry of Social Protection graced McPherson with a hamper while exchanging a few words at a thanksgiving held for the centenarian.
