On the Caribbean island of Nevis, a beloved local matriarch has marked a rare and extraordinary life milestone, drawing community leaders, dignitaries and loved ones together for a joyful celebration of a century lived in service to others.
Mrs. Ernestine Alberta France Wilks, a long-time resident of St. James Parish, officially turned 100 years old in mid-May 2026, and was honored with a special thanksgiving service at Combermere Methodist Church on May 19. The event, held under the theme “A Century of Love, Faith, Strength and Legacy”, brought together hundreds of well-wishers, including Wilks’ extended family, lifelong friends, church community members and senior government officials from across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Senior clergy and community leaders took the opportunity to reflect on Wilks’ decades of quiet, impactful service to the Combermere neighborhood. Chaired by Reverend Steadroy Pemberton, the service highlighted Wilks’ decades-long contribution to local education, where she spent years caring for students at Combermere All-Age School, preparing homemade snacks and hot meals for children during break periods, touching the lives of multiple generations of local youth.
Top dignitaries in attendance included Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd, Deputy Governor General for Nevis Her Honour Hyleeta Liburd, and Premier of Nevis Honourable Mark Brantley, alongside other members of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Cabinet. Each offered heartfelt tributes and congratulations to the new centenarian, acknowledging her lifelong contributions to family and community.
“100 years is a major milestone — 10 full decades. On behalf of a grateful nation, I’d like to thank you for your contribution to your family, your community, and your country,” Dame Marcella Liburd said during the service. “I just want to congratulate you, to thank you, and thank all members of your family who are taking such good care of you. May God continue to bless you with good health and more long life. Happy 100th birthday.”
Deputy Governor General Hyleeta Liburd echoed the warm wishes, saying, “It is really God’s blessing that has brought you this far, and it is a true pleasure to greet you and wish you happy birthday. I extend love to you on behalf of the people I serve and my own family. May God’s blessings rest upon you.”
In a special gesture of recognition, Premier Brantley presented Wilks with a unique honor on behalf of the NIA: a commemorative postage stamp bearing her name, part of the administration’s ongoing program to formally recognize Nevisian centenarians and their legacies.
“The Nevis Island Administration has a program in place where we celebrate our centenarians in a very tangible way. What we do for all of our centenarians is create a custom postage stamp. Very soon, you will have a postage stamp that says ‘Ernestine Alberta France Wilks’ on it,” Brantley announced. “Thank you for the life that you’ve lived. You’re an inspiration to many, and I trust your family feels proud celebrating with you today, seeing the contribution you’ve made to us all.”
In response, Wilks expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support, and offered blessings and prayers for the gathered guests, her church family, and the entire Nevisian community. Following the thanksgiving service, celebrations continued into the evening with a centennial gala honoring Wilks’ century of life and service.
As of May 2026, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis is home to nine centenarians, eight of whom are women and one a man. Six of those nine centenarians, including Wilks, are residents of Nevis.