Supercentenarian Melville Williams was laid to rest yesterday.
Barbados third oldest person, he lived to the age of 111, remaining active even after reaching 100.
His funeral took place at Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, St Peter where he was buried.
He was described as loving, hardworking, generous, disciplined and a man of the people. His youngest daughter Catherine Lynch said her father was born in Lonesome Hill, St Peter, the eighth of ten children and was the longest surviving sibling. He had nine children, seven of whom are alive, and outlived three wives. He also has 33 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 34 great great grandchildren.
Lynch said Williams followed in his father’s footsteps providing horse and buggy services before branching into butchering and tanning. He moved to the United States and found work in the US Army and later as part of the mounted branch in Trinidad. After retirement, he lived in Seattle before returning home to Lonesome Hill.
“He was the best father. He gave me everything I asked for and back then you didn’t ask for much. I asked for a bicycle and I got it. He would take us to see our family and we would hang out with nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts. We are a very large family, in the thousands and he wanted us to know all of them.
“My dad loved working with kids and to teach them. He used to tell me ‘I’ll see you when I see you’. We’ll miss you, daddy,” she said.
Daughter June Williams-Newton said their family was spread over at least six countries and her father kept them in touch. She said friends were like family as well, as only later in life was she able to sort out who was who. She said her father left Barbados at age 99 to travel to the US to help take care of a friend – his last overseas trip – which showed what a big heart he still had.
In his later years, she said her father remained very meticulous and would still scold her if she placed anything out of order in his house. She said he remained active in his yard until 103 and still loved the occasional alcoholic beverage, in particular his favorite drink – a mixture of Hennessy, Brandy, ginger wine, Sprite and bitters.
“Dad had a great spirit and a great heart, if we all had those the world would be a better place but he imbued that in everyone he touched. I am sad I won’t touch dad’s hand again but I praise God for making him our dad,” she said.
Pastor De Vere Lindo reassured the family those who died in Christ would rise again so “grieve, but not as those who have no hope”. (CA)
