(Photo Wycliffe Richardson)
Miss Flossie Gumbs of The Valley is Anguilla’s latest centenarian.
The following was written by Agnes Brooks on behalf of the Manager of Just Tender Care Nursing Home:
Miss Flossie Gumbs, who is now a resident of Just Tender Care (JTC) Nursing Home, celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday November 14th, 2014. Miss Gumbs, who is affectionately called “Cousin Floss” by relatives and other persons, was born in the United States of America. She is the eldest child of her parents, Benny and Louisa Gumbs, Anguillians, now deceased, as well as her two siblings.
She came to Anguilla as a young adult, lived here for a while and due to love for music, she was the organist at the Ebenezer Methodist Church where she worshipped regularly.
Cousin Floss returned to the USA, resided in Perth Amboy New Jersey and gained employment at a factory which was contracted to manufacture jackets for the navy servicemen. She worked for a number of years on the assembly line sewing the sleeves for these jackets which was her specific task.
Presently, on occasions, by the statements she makes, she still thinks she is working at the factory.
Following her retirement she returned to Anguilla to reside. She was never married and has no children. Her nephews and nieces lives in the USA but she has cousins here in Anguilla; among them, Rev. John A. Gumbs and Rev. Franklin A. Roberts.
Cousin Floss has been residing at JTC since April 2012. Although she has senile dementia, there are moments when she answers appropriately to questions asked. Her vision is good but has hearing impairment. She is wheelchair bound but feeds herself at the dining table and eats very well. She has to be assisted with all other activities of daily living.
Cousin Floss has been no other physical ailments and as such, is not on any medication. The staff of the JTC Home organized a thanksgiving service and dinner in her honour at the nursing home on November 14th, 2014. Present were family members including a nephew from the USA. Her church family members and other friends all gathered to celebrate this momentous milestone with Cousin Floss.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
