MABEL Brown and her neighbour Collin Williams have 196 years between them.

For that milestone and their contribution to their Hazel Wood District, Bamboo, St Ann, community, the two were recently recognised by the Seventh-day Adventist church and the Brittonville Community Club.

The recognition is part of a programme by the church to hail outstanding Jamaicans during the country’s diamond jubilee year. Pastor Gary Buddoo-Fletcher, who participated in the event, said: “North Jamaica Conference is proud to be associated with this historic affair in recognising Ms Brown and Mr Williams who have added positively to our community.”

Buddoo-Fletcher, the executive secretary of North Jamaica Conference, added: “We are more than grateful to God that they were able to minister to us in their own special way. As Jamaica is celebrating its 50th anniversary, no doubt it is persons such as these who have created a strong legacy of building Jamaica’s community spirit. So we thank God for keeping Ms Mabel and Mr Collin who have lived through many storms.”

Brown, in her response, said: “I was born the third of March 1909. I tell you, it is God and the good, unfertilised food that has kept me alive.”

Brown, 103, is the oldest person alive in the cool, community in the St Ann hills. She was born the same year that a November hurricane struck Jamaica. She and Williams — born 10 years apart — have weathered many storms since then and have lived to tell the tales. Both have lived through Jamaica’s transition from colonialism to Independence. But as rich as their history is, it is their community involvement that has won them the admiration of their peers.

“Mothers would actually send their children to Mabel, affectionately called Aunt May, to stitch their clothing,” said Carmen Wilson, who grew up in the same community as Brown.

“You see, people were very poor back then and couldn’t afford much, so the youngsters would take their garments to her and she gladly sew them. In addition, she grew a number of children, I can’t even count them,” added Wilson, a member of the Brittonville Community Club and first elder of the Free Hill Adventist Church.

“From my salary as a household helper, I grew 25 children,” the proud centenarian responded.

“One day a white woman pulled up in a car right here in Hazel Wood. She asked me if I remembered her, I said ‘no’. She said that I took care of her when she was a baby. I took care of so many children as if they were my own,” the woman, born to Evett and Endret White, said.

Currently, Aunt May is cared for by one of the girls whom she nurtured as a child — Sharon Farquharson — a neighbour, and members of the Brittonville Community Club.

She is believed to have a sister residing in Kingston.

For his part, Williams, who aspires to make it to 100, was born on July 31, 1919 to Adolphus Williams and Ida Brown. Affectionately called Mas Will, he survived two wives and has had two children, one from each marriage.

“I grew up as a little girl hearing him play the accordion as he walked through the community. At three in the afternoon, as children, we awaited him so that we could run behind as he played, entertaining us with a variety of songs,” Wilson said.

“If we didn’t hear Mas Will, we knew something was wrong. Up to this point, he loves to play at every funeral service in the community and if he is not on the programme, it is trouble… But he really knows how to brighten people’s lives,” she added.

Amazed by his father’s passion for music, James Williams explained that his dad was a farmer and mason by profession, but that his greatest love was playing the accordion.

“He loves playing that instrument so much that when they stopped working he would purchase a new one; this one that he has now is his third.”

Mas Will said he learned to play the accordion from his grandfather and decided to purchase one for himself. The last one he imported from England 16 years ago.

“This accordion that I have imported from England, I paid $8,000 for it. I make this sacrifice because I find it a joy to make others happy with my music,” he said.

In addition to saying thanks for his recognition, Williams played the song, Amazing Grace on the instrument that appears to be as old as he is.