Enid Cunningham, fabulous at 100!
PORT ANTONIO, Portland — The sash elegantly draped over her right shoulder said it all. Enid “Miss D” Cunningham is 100 and fabulous!
The sparkling tiara delicately perched on top of her well-coiffed hair competed with the glitter of the golden, throne-like chair on which she sat, soaking up all the adulation from family and friends as they celebrated her birthday on July 2.
The venue was her grandson Everold Daley’s restaurant, Soldier Camp. He explained why his grandmother, who came into his life when he was six months old, will forever have a place in his heart.
“You take me and care for me and everybody. I love you. All when you don’t have anywhere to put us, some sleep a floor… as you never turn back anybody. God bless you fi dat,” he said, adding that he has fond memories of going to church with his grandmother.
He told her she was loved by generations of Cunninghams.
“We love you… di whole a wi love you — grand, great-grand, great-great-grand, nieces, nephews love you. We wish you health and strength and long life, in Jesus’s name,” he said as he planted a kiss on her cheek as those looking on cheered.
Though her only daughter, Merle Medley, passed away in 2003 Enid Cunningham has been blessed with a huge family. Her daughter had six children and over the years Miss D has enjoyed the company of 25 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
“The things that I have is because of the grandchildren that I have; they look out for their grandmother. God bless them and keep them and fight for them that they have long life. I thank you all,” she said during her well-attended birthday bash.
Among those revelling in the celebration of her life was her grandson, Donald Sutherland, who praised her skills in the kitchen.
“You are special to me grandma… Love you mama. You made sure that I get the pudding and run dung when I come to Jamaica, grandma,” he said.
Miss D’s eldest grandchild, Winsome Daley-Lewis, said it was important to let her know how special she is.
“We feel that we should give them the flowers while they are alive. One hundred! What a blessing to reach that milestone. We all realise we must give honour to God for keeping and allowing this wonderful woman to be amongst us in seeing such a milestone,” she said before taking a look back at Ms D’s life.
“We love you. Bless the Lord for long life and we pray that she live to see more years. We don’t have mother, we have just our grandmother so we try to do the best for her. She reach 100 and we thank God. We love you granny,” she ended her tribute.
The celebration was chaired by Miss D’s long-time friend and fellow member of New Testament Church of God in Port Antonio, Clyde Glendevon. Also present was the pastor, Bishop Desmond Green, who spoke of “Sister Enid’s” faithful attendance at church, even when she was ill.
“She was in an accident and could hardly walk, and I came to visit her,” said Bishop Green, but she said ‘Pastor, I want to be in church’.
“She is a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I celebrate this woman of God… I believe her lengthened days were given to her by God because of her faithfulness,” added the bishop.