Karl Pinnock
Karl Pinnock
Lauderhill Church has a centenarian — Doris Shirley — who was born February 15, 1917, in Georges Grove, St. Ann, Jamaica W.I. She is a very strong person who suffered many adversities in her life, beginning as early as four years of age when she lost her mother.
Shirley was raised by her father, Solomon; her older sister, Erethia; and other relatives. She completed formal education at Mansfield All-age School, and was encouraged to go into dress-making by a local dress maker. She became an apprentice, but had a greater love for the soil. Her dad allocated a plot of land to her where she established herself as a true agricultural entrepreneur. She planted and reaped several food crops, including vegetables of all types. She also raised cattle.
Doris and Lawford Wright were joined in holy matrimony in 1950 and had five children: Olive, Colin, Hezekiah, Septimus, and Sunny. She now has six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.
Originally, she was an active Baptist church member, but, with constant study of Scriptures, she and her granddaughter, Marcia, were baptized into the Adventist faith in 1984 in Jamaica.
On Sunday, February 19, 2017, a celebration of Doris Shirley’s 100th birthday was held at Ambassador Church’s fellowship hall in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., which was large enough to accommodate the guests. A wide cross section of the church and the community attended.
Lauderhill Church pastors — Lester Elliott, senior pastor, Garry Gordon, associate pastor, and Leroy Liburd, retired pastor — participated in the celebration. Commissioner Marlon Bolton and Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle Rogers made proclamations to the centenarian. Also in attendance was Lauraine Lynch, representing Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness.
Doris Shirley’s life is modeled by the words of hymn writer Eliza E. Hewitt, “Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day; just a glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay.” In a clear, lively, and cheerful tone, she thanked everyone for celebrating with her.
Florida | May 2017
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