BUNKER’S HILL, Trelawny Centenarian Alphansene ‘Miss Alphane’ Lloyd believes that her generosity extended to hundreds of people in her native Bunker’s Hill community over the years has contributed to her long life.

Born on March 5, 1916 in that rural district in Trelawny, ‘Miss Alphane’ as she is affectionately called, devoted her entire life to looking out for the interest of others. She possesses a soft spot in her heart and could not resist serving community members who were in need.

Little wonder then, that on Sunday scores of family members, friends and well-wishers from home and abroad, flocked the Unity Sports Complex in her native land to celebrate with her, her 100th birthday.

“I think it’s because of my kindness. I didn’t really have it (lot of resources), but I helped many, many persons,” Lloyd told the

Jamaica Observer West, as she sought to explain the reasons for her long life and fairly good health.

Known for making a wide variety of tasty snacks, including patties, cornmeal and potato puddings, gizzadas, coconut cake, fried dumpling and delicious ice cream, Miss Alphane was always on hand to serve up her products at various events in the Bunker’s Hill community.

Miss Alphane, who also operated a shop in the community, was as well a permanent fixture on the grounds of the Unity Primary School, providing healthy snacks for hundreds of students during the daytime.

At night and on weekends Miss Alphane — despite caring for her children and grand children — found time to sew garments and cushions.

In fact, despite her age, she still sews for her many customers, friends and family members.

On Sunday many of them were in attendance at the birthday party held in her honour.

During the function, the centenarian sat quietly at the head table, as she listened attentively to the many accolades paid to her by them.

“She (Miss Alphane) is very active in her community, even to this day, as she was during her working years. She still makes pillows, cushions … and can be seen on any given evening on her sewing machine up until 11 o’clock at night. It’s like she is competing with us who are much younger than her,” said Raymond Swaby, one of her grandsons.

He noted that his grandmother has been a member of the Reid’s Friendship Seventh-day Adventist Church for almost four decades, adding that “she can do everything for herself and her recollection is amazing”.

“Even in having a conversation she could outwit you and I, because wherever she leaves off in a conversation and you and I might overlook it, she goes back to it. She is very sharp,” Swaby emphasised.

Joseph Brown, another of her grandsons, in his tribute lauded the jovial and highly respected stalwart for caring for her children.

“It is with a sense of great pride that I stand here to celebrate your 100th birthday. I know over the century you have worked hard to raise your children and when the grand children came along you also stepped in to assist with them. I will never forget how you worked very hard, staying up late at night to prepare your baking and cooking for sale the following day,” said Brown in his glowing tribute.

Lloyd’s friend of more than 10 years, Zeta Hanson — both members of the Reid’s Seventh-day Adventist Church — described the centenarian as someone who is very, very kind, cheerful, loving and “all that’s good”.

A formal dinner and a church service were also held in honour of Miss Alphane on the weekend.