DORIS STOUTE celebrated her 107th birthday yesterday in one of her favourite places – the church.
It was a special occasion for worshippers at the People’s Cathedral on Bishop’s Court Hill, St Michael, when Stoute was transported on a bed to share fellowship with worshippers – an act she did for 40 years. This was the first time for the year she had attended church.
Granddaughter and caretaker Cheryl Stoute told the DAILY NATION it was important to get the centenarian back at her church, a place where she loved.
“I believe you must care and show love for a person when they are alone,” she said.
She added Stoute had four children – Keith, Stephanie, Merlene and Betty – “plenty” of grandchildren and great-grands.
Senior pastor Reverend Andre Symmonds said it was a special occasion for the family.
He said that the service was attended by the Gospelfest thanksgiving committee and other organisations like the Brownies and Cub Scouts of the People’s Cathedral School, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Barbados.
“It’s encouraging to see that the Lord would sustain a life for those many years and with young people around as we had in the service, it’s encouraging for them to also know the closer that you can get to people like that, the better it is. You can learn a lot from our golden saints . . . ,” he said. (TG)
