Clarrisa Marston recently celebrated her 101st birthday, and she was basking in the thrill of adding another year to her life. Surrounded by family and friends, she enjoyed the attention that was showered on her at a birthday party held at her home in Williams’s Lane, Old Harbour Road, St. Catherine.
In an interview with Freedom Come Rain, Marston shared some secrets to her longevity.
Her granddaughter, Monique Barrett, says she grew up seeing her grandmother give unconditionally to others, even from her last.
As for Marston, she quickly shared that it was really no secret, as it was an everyday thing for her, along with prayer and eating healthy.
This was confirmed by her granddaughter, who described the centenarian’s morning routine. “When my grandmother wakes up, she will say, ‘Morning light out. What time is it?’ Then she will pray and say the 23 Psalm—The Lord is my Shepherd—then she meditates on God’s goodness and his loving mercies.”
In highlighting how much Marston loves praying, she shared that whenever she got the opportunity, she prayed for others, who, oftentimes, received healing.
Marston, in issuing advice to young people, said there was only one thing she thinks is necessary, and that is to “seek God, give your life to Him before it is too late, and go to church.”
Marston, reflecting on today’s generation and times, said it is so different from her days, as she highlights the lawlessness and lack of love for each other.
“They do not show respect and manners. In our days, we were very respectful to everyone. We say please, thanks, and good morning to everyone we passed. We were more God-fearing and went to church and sent the children to church and school,” she related, in a voice that was firm and strong.
Quizzed on whether she had any regrets, it was a firm ‘no’ from Marston, as she acknowledged she would not change anything about the way she lived her life.
Listing her favourite meals, Marston said they are curried goat with rice and peas, fish, oxtail, cow skin, and soup. Some may be challenging to consume, but that won’t stop her from enjoying her meals. Not on her list of foods were chicken, pork, and eggs.
Born February 9, 1923, in Decoy District, Clarendon, to parents Ethlyn Pryce and Daniel Marston, her mother worked as a vendor in the market, and her father was a labourer. She attended Tollgate and Four Paths Primary and Junior High schools.
Marston eventually gave her life to the Lord in 1969 and attended the Glad Tidings Open Bible Church.
She worked as a milliner, repairing hats, as well as a dressmaker.
Barrett, in sharing memories of her grandmother, said there was so much she admired about her, not the least of which was her habit of praying and how much she enjoyed worshipping the Lord.
“She is a blessing to me; she also schooled me; she is a very disciplined lady who doesn’t play with her God. My grandmother loves to cook; she would cook for the entire community,” she shared.
A memory that stands out for Barrett was seeing her grandmother cook with her favourite seasonings: curry, black pepper, all-purpose, onion, scallion, and tomato.
“I just love when my grandmother cooks rice and peas; you can eat it without any meat,” she notes.
She is pleased she was able to bring joy to Marston, who, she said, never failed to remind her to give her life to the Lord before it was too late.
“She would say, Monique, make sure you give yuh life to God and go to church with the kids. It was a joy for her when I surrendered my life to God,” she revealed.
There is never a dull moment where the centenarian is concerned. Barrett shared one of those moments as she explained that her grandmother detests porridge and would complain when it was given to her.
“She would say, ‘After me no sick or me na go dig post hole ee nuh; mi nuh want any porridge,’ and I would smile,” the grand daughter recounted.
Marston has four children: three girls and a son, who is Barrett’s father.