Virgin Islands leaders paid tribute to the territory’s seven oldest residents on Sept. 22 as the Social Development Department marked National Centenarians Day.
“Our centenarians are living treasures who have contributed to building the Virgin Islands as we know it today,” said Health and Social Development Minister Vincent Wheatley. “Their wisdom, courage and love for family and community have been guiding lights for generations.”
At the top of the list is Enelle Smith, who at 106 is the territory’s oldest resident, according to government.
Born in Sea Cow Bay in 1918, Ms. Smith had three children with her late husband Edward Leopold Smith. Today, she has ten grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Betty Yates, 103, is originally from Yorkshire, England, and she moved to the VI in 1969 and initially worked as a bookkeeper at Treasure Isle Hotel. After the death of her husband in 1980, she moved to Virgin Gorda, where she worked in the family business until she retired in 2018 at age 97, government said. Ms. Yates continued driving until the age of 102.
102-year-olds
Three other VI centenarians are 102.
Among them is Floresa George, who worked as a village seamstress in Virgin Gorda while raising 11 children. She later worked for 19 years as a kitchen helper at Biras Creek Resort, and she remains active and independent today.
Also 102 is Evelyn “Cap” Hodge, the territory’s only male centenarian, who spent much of his career as a seaman and ferry captain. He is known in his native Brewers Bay for his wisdom and memorable sayings, according to government.
The third 102-year-old is Iris Harrigan. Affectionately known as “Miss Iris,” she is the matriarch of the Virgin Gorda family that operates Virgin Gorda Transport Limited, and she is often the first to arrive at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Spanish Town, government said.
Christeen Hodge, 101, is a former educator who started her own school in Georges Northside at age 16 and later served as headmaster of the Westerville Methodist Church School in Belle Vue.
Rounding out the list is Esmie “Muddy” Stoutt, who turned 100 this year. The wife of the late legislator Prince Stoutt, the Cane Garden Bay farmer raised 12 children and today has 22 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, government said.
The territory lost another centenarian this month, when Emogene Creque died on Sept. 7 at age 106.
Ms. Creque, a businesswoman, made history in 1965 when she was appointed as a temporary member of the Legislative Council to serve in place of Joseph R. O’Neal. The appointment made her the first woman to serve in the VI legislature, according to government.
Acting Chief Social Development Officer Shirma George stressed the importance of honouring elders.
“Recognising our centenarians is a way of honouring the history and values of the Virgin Islands,” she said. “Each one of them carries a unique story of perseverance, faith and dedication that inspires our younger generations to cherish the past and build a strong future.”
