Miss Ida Chambers

ORLANDO, Florida: Some 100 relatives and friends from across the United States, Canada and England attended Ida Chambers’ 100th birthday celebration.

Affectionately known as Miss Ida, she was born on January 26, 1912, in the district of Lilliput, in the parish of St. James. Her alertness was a pleasant surprise to guests.

Miss Ida is mother to six girls and one boy. She has 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren, most of whom were in attendance at Daniel’s Landing Clubhouse in Winter Gardens, here in the Sunshine state where the celebration was held.

“My father was a deacon in the church in the district where we lived,” said son, Leo. “When he passed away, my mother took over the role as the deaconess. She kept us – me in particular – on the straight and narrow path. She is responsible for making me the person I am today, and for that I want to thank you, mother.”

Daughters Joyce Walker and Neva Springer also spoke fondly of their mother. Walker reminisced on the days when her mother would take care of her children while she was away at college or work. Springer now spends much of her time at her mother’s bedside in a retirement home.

Also paying glowing tributes to their grandmother were Suzanne Bryant, Denise Chambers, Mensa Ankh Maa and Andrea Cupidore.

The Rev. J. Brown conducted opening prayers while Leroy Gordon gave the opening remarks and acted as the master of ceremonies for the event. Renee Howell performed a song in tribute to Miss Ida, and Andrea Davidson recited the popular Maya Angelou poem, “Still I Rise.”

Following the cake cutting ceremony, Miss Ida thanked everyone for attending, and wished them all God’s richest blessings.

By EDDIE GRANT