At 117 years old, Violet Mosses Brown is the new oldest person in the world. Little does the public know, but she eats what she wants — well, everything except pork and chicken. On Saturday, Brown became the world’s oldest person after the death of 117-year-old Emma Morano of Italy.
Born in March 1900, Brown once told a hometown newspaper, the Gleaner, that hard work, devotion to the Baptist church and respect for family, life and people in general have helped her live a long and happy life.
"Honor your mother and father so your days may be long," she said, quoting the Old Testament.
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"I tell you, these young people these days have it easy - piped water, taxis and buses to bring them where they want to go, everything to their convenience. When I was younger, and even as an adult, I had to work so hard that sometimes when I look back, I cry at how hard I had to work to make a living for my family," Brown, a one-time dressmaker, domestic helper and farmer, reminisced.
Hailing from the same part of the island as Olympic champion Usain Bolt, Brown is lover of the church. She loves to sing, and praise the Lord. Her years of staying faithful have paid off for her long life.
Baptized at age 13, Brown proudly recalled decades of "staunch contribution" to the church, showing off a plaque she received at age 107 from the Trelawny Baptist Association.
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And the Jamaica-born 117-year-old abstains from what she called “rum and dem tings.”
Known affectionately as "Aunt V," Brown told the Jamaica Observer that she "likes fish and mutton and sometimes she will have cow foot." She also likes locally grown produce such as sweet potatoes, breadfruit, oranges and...
... mangoes.
Brown enjoys reading and is still able to effortlessly recite a poem she learnt while attending elementary school a century ago. Listening to music, practising shorthand and typing are among her hobbies, she said, but pride of place goes to her unwavering contribution to the Church, which is her greatest joy.
Brown’s eldest son is 97 years old, which could possibly make him the oldest living person in the world with a parent who is also alive.
"Thank God for what he has given to me. This what God has given me, so I have to take it, long life," Brown said.
