Ms. Laura Manners was born in Nevis but lived approximately 78 years of her life in St. Kitts.
“I am honoured to be here on behalf of the Queen to present you with a card from her recognising your 100thbirthday. It is for me, a particularly personal honour to be able to be here to do this for you today. It is my privilege and pleasure to know you so I want to wish you all the best and God’s blessings,” said the Governor General as he reflected on his personal relationship with Ms. Manners, having grown up as her neighbour as a young boy.
Acting Director in the Ministry of Social Services, Mrs. Ann Wigley congratulated Ms. Manners for being added to the list of the 12 other centenarians in the Federation before joining the group in singing the Happy Birthday song.
“This morning is a very happy occasion for our federation of St. Kitts and Nevis because we have another centenarian with us. I want to say congratulations to you Lady Manners and we hope to come back for many years,” said Mrs. Wigley.
Ms. Manners thanked everyone who gathered to celebrate her birthday with her. She also said how pleased and happy she is to be alive at age 100.
“Glory to God, I am a child of a King and I am as happy as can be. Everything is going well and it will continue. Praise God,” she said.
Other persons present at the birthday celebration for Ms. Manners included six of her seven sons, staff from the Department of Social Services, and her grandchildren. The well-wishers commended Ms. Manners for her 65 years of diligent service at the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC).
