Saturday, 23 November 2024

Have You Forgotten Some of These Jamaicans

Publicity, fame, money, power and life only last for a time. Tonight, as I sit at my computer, I remember many who have served this nation well and some of them have been forgotten. Some have been famous and some not; some are in their twilight years, and some with health issues. We must remember these people and emulate their lives.

There is former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller. I know she is no longer the Sista P that we knew, but she is still loved and people want to know how she is doing. Her husband, Errald Miller, is putting up a good fight. There is Ruddy Spencer, who gave many years to the BITU. Spencer was close to the Air Jamaica flight attendants.

You have icons such as Majorie Whylie, with her challenges, but she is still able to display her talents on the piano sometimes. Ken Boothe is no longer able to charm us with his cool velvet voice. In his heyday, his songs were on the lips of every child.

My friend broadcaster Dervan Malcolm does not seem to be so hot these days. He has many friends overseas in radio land. Let's wish him all the best.

There is educator Dr. Alfred Sangster, former principal of CAST now called Utech Ja. He played football and dominoes with the students, and he was held in high esteem by all. He did not feel superior to the extent that he could not work with the groundsmen on the college compound.

There are former civil servants like Fay Sylvester, former head of the Prices Commission. I hope that she is fighting the good fight also. Carlene Murdock, the former head of the Accountant General's Department. She distinguished herself by making pensioners feel important. I remember those wonderful events she put on for pensioners at Portmore, Port Antonio, Montego Bay, and other places. The pensioners had fun. We need to have those again. She is still looking fit.

Monica White, the former head of the Students Loan Bureau, helped many students in their quest to attain higher education. She looks like a young girl these days. Pearl Russell, former Sister at the Percy Junior Hospital and wife of Viv Russell, my father's best friend, is still full of energy, albeit a bit slower these days.

Dr. Barbara Jones is still here with us. National netball player and former principal of Knox College. She is living in Spalding, close to Knox College.

From rural Jamaica, I remember Mrs. Olga Deer, a centenarian, who has made the century this year. She has seen Jamaica through many stages of development. Miss Olga lives in Lowe River, Trelawny. There is my mother, Mrs. Zeana Smith, that young businesswoman who started her own shop as a youngster in Lowe River. She is now retired and living in Montego Bay. She has just a few years to make the century. Mrs. Lily-Jane Long, another centenarian, knows what it is to live a long and healthy life. She is was an educator and family woman who now lives in Harbour View.

I know I have left out some wonderful people who are now in their twilight years. Tell me about them and send me a picture of them. Let's remember and care for our senior citizens. Open the door for them, love them, offer them a seat, and give them priority customer service. They have earned it, and they deserve it. 

Click HERE to send the information.

Alfred Sangster



Pearl Russell



Barbara Jones


Carlene Murdock


Dervan Malcolm



Ken Boothe

Olga Deer


Monica Brown


Marjorie Whylie


Portia Simpson-Miller


Ruddy Spencer


Zeana Smih



Errald Miller



Lily-Jane Long



Editors note:
I have just been informed by a reliable source that Dervan Malcolm will be back on air next week Monday, November 25, 2024.
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7 comments:

  1. Excellent article, we need to give our senior citizens the best we can

    ReplyDelete
  2. All very deserving of our respect and adoration! Examples to be emulated and held up as beacons for the younger generations, so they may understand the value of service, dedication to purpose and commitment to the highest ideals of human endeavors!
    Let's add Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear and let's not forget those who have gone on to their rest!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for taking us down memory lane.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I take this opportunity to salute all these unsung heroes and heroines of Jamaica.

    Mr Vernon Derby the Trojan Jamaican is among those persons who have given yeoman service to many areas of Jamaica.

    Let me say thanks to all those persons mentioned and others not mentioned.

    Jamaica has been a better place because of the embedded national pride and consciousness you all emitted and transmitted.

    Thanks again Maas Vernon for the highlights.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank You Vernon For Reminding Us Of These Folkes Who Have Served, Touched And Enriched The Lives Of So Many Jamaicans Along The Way...... I Find That, The Minute Persons Retire Or Are Not As Available And Useful To The Public In General, They Are Forgotten...... Not Even A Phone Call Is Made, To Check On How They Are Doing, Or If They Are In Need Of Someone To Do An Errand, Or Any Assistance To Make THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BETTER AND PUT A SMILE ON THEIR FACES.... Let Us Remember Them, Just Like How They Remembered Us..... When We Needed To Be Remembered.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is very good just keep up the good work and the Lord continue to bless u.

    ReplyDelete

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