102 NOT OUT: Alfred Henry Smith, from Hope Flats, St. Andrew..."I will live". - Ian AllenBy David Dunkley, Staff Reporter
BEING a centenarian is alright according to Alfred Henry Smith.
The 102-year-old former civil servant from Hope Flats, St. Andrew, explains that apart from a little pain here and there, life is good, and as long as he has it he will enjoy it.
"Bwoy, I not feeling too bad, yuh nuh," he said, his voice still strong despite his age. "Ah feeling a little sick and have a little pain in mi body, especially mi foot, but I will live."
Smith is able to move around with the help of a walking stick.
He has very good memory. He said he used to think that whenever one reaches the age he has, they would not remember anything, would not be able to move, eat, drink or do anything, but he has proven himself wrong.
Born at Guava Ridge in Mavis Bank, St. Andrew, Smith said he attended the Mavis Banks Elementary School and then went on to Grove Elementary.
After leaving school, Smith said he worked with the Agriculture Ministry for 17 years. After that he worked with the Lands Department for 14 years and was in charge of handing out land to residents of Hope Flats, Hermitage, Kintyre, Papine, and other areas in that part of the parish.
Mr. Smith got married in 1925 and lived a matrimonial life for 63 years before his wife died 12 years ago. He said he remembers his wife as a loving and caring individual who was always behind him 100 per cent in whatever he sought to do.
The centenarian is the father of nine children, and has 31 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and many great great grandchildren. Most of his family members live abroad however.
He recalled being a very good friend of National Hero Norman Manley and recalled that whenever the hero came to his community he would always visit his home. Smith said he would pick grapefruits and star apples for Mr. Manley.
He also recalled that the first car he ever saw was a Ford. He said it was owned by a man named Verley who owned an estate at Mona, St. Andrew, and lived at Matilda's Corner. "People run when them see it but I never run, I wasn't scared at all," he boasted.
Mr. Smith said he was not too choosy about the food he ate but singled out sweet potatoes, cassava, yams, beans and pork as his favourites.
He said he used to drink liquor but not excessively.
"I only drink ordinary light drink and I never smoke, I just light cigarette for people," he said jokingly.
