Robelteen Smith, the territory’s oldest resident, may not be able to talk or to remember as clearly as she could in her younger days, 
but she always responds to her favourite song, according to her daughter.
Pearl Smith said “Oh, Happy Day” was among several songs sung during her mother’s 104th birthday celebration on Aug. 12 at their East End home.
During the event, the centenarian was surrounded by family and friends who shared fond memories of the once active member of the Apostolic Faith Church, the daughter said.
“The celebration was good. Quite a few people came and we had a good time,” Ms. Smith said. “They went in and serenaded her in her room.”
Unlike her last birthday celebration, when the centenarian called out songs she wanted to hear, this year she only listened, unable to communicate, the daughter said in a Tuesday interview at their home as her mother slept in another room.
However, the centenarian is generally in fairly good health, according to her eldest daughter.
“She rests a lot and is taking medications,” Ms. Smith said. “It gives me a wonderful feeling to know that the Lord has spared her life to see this age, even though she might not communicate as well as she did last year.”
See the Aug. 23, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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