Surrounded by family and some of his closest friends, Mr. Seibert Lewis beamed with gratitude as he saw the several well-wishers who had come to the Accra Beach Hotel, Christ Church, to celebrate his 100^th birthday, on August 21.

Acting President, The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffery Gibson was one of the centenarian’s specially invited guests.

Upon his arrival, he remarked, “Let me take this opportunity to express and add my own personal congratulations to you on reaching this significant milestone.  One hundred years of life is really a great cause for celebration, and you’re surrounded by members of your family and certain friends who have come to share that great moment with you and to let you know how much, not only we celebrate the 100 years, but how much they love you.”

In response to His Excellency’s inquiry as to what it was like to live to 100, the centenarian replied, “In the grace of God, I am very happy to know that I am alive to reach 100 years old, and to me and my family, and my children, grandchildren and great grands, we all make one bond.”

Mr. Roger Scott, in his tribute to the centenarian, whom he affectionally calls ‘Papa Lou’, stressed Mr. Lewis is like a father to him and “a man of God first and foremost”. Mr. Scott also noted that the centenarian’s life “is truly an example of the characteristics of a Godly man – faithful, committed, loyal, hardworking, reliant on God and strong in faith”. 

“He has provided me with immeasurable support and love over these last 20 years; he has been a blessing to me and my family,” added Mr. Scott.

Reverend Anderson Carrington of the Wesleyan Holiness Church, Black Rock, shared that Mr. Lewis is a “very faithful member of the Church’. Acknowledging that he appreciated the centenarian “very much for his loyalty” he noted that “almost every Sunday we can look down the congregation and we are going to see Brother Lewis….”

The Reverend also disclosed that the centenarian was instrumental in overseeing much-needed construction work at the Black Rock Wesleyan Holiness Church.  “…At 80 years old, he was walking across that roof, sometimes to my nervousness. Brother Lewis, I appreciate you for that,” stressed Mr. Carrington.

The Reverend further noted that Mr. Lewis leveraged his contacts and brought together the right people at the right time.  He said, “He (Mr. Lewis) contacted everybody; he brought everybody together so that when we submitted the plans to Town and Country Planning, everything in detail was right. And we give God thanks for you my brother…may God continue to strengthen you on this, your 100^th birthday”.

Mr. Lewis, who was educated at St. Jude’s Primary School, St. George, was self-employed for most of his life. His career path saw him running his own restaurant, marketing fruit and vegetables as well as involved in the construction industry.  In the 1970’s, he emigrated to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, and upon retirement at age 65 (in 1989), returned home. 

The centenarian, a widower, was married to Lucille Lewis and has seven children, 30 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.  Loretta Payne (93) is the centenarian’s only living sibling.

Mr. Lewis lives in Free Hill, Black Rock and while he has a caretaker, the centenarian demonstrates a great deal of independence and according to him, eats “whatever the Lord allows…”

The Very Reverend Dr. Jeffrey Gibson presented Mr. Lewis with a fruit basket, a bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a personalised card. As they both read the card together, the Acting President told the centenarian: ‘Family is the most important unit in life.  I am glad you are surrounded by a wonderful family and so congratulations again.” (PR/GIS)