Eliza Gayle (seated) and her daughter Valda Ashley. - Leighton Williams

At 100 Eliza Gayle still has a sweet tooth. The centenarian has a weakness for candy and kid snacks such as Cheese Trix.

In fact, during THE STAR's visit to her home in Mocho, Clarendon, Gayle got her wish when her daughter Valda Ashley gave her a piece of mint ball to chew on.

"She likes sweets," said Ashley. "Sometimes when you go out and come back she asks for sweets to keep her mouth going."

The centenarian celebrated her 100th birthday on August 28 and went to church the following Sunday. She had two sons and two daughters but one of the sons has since passed away. Still, her family describes her as being a jovial woman.

"She full of jokes and is always telling stories. She likes to tell stories and she is very jovial," said Ashley.

The centenarian is described as as a Christian woman and used to listen to Love FM. Her daughter added that she used to attend church frequently but stopped attending last year and has since become a shut-in. However, that has not stopped her from loving God.

Ashley added that the 100-year-old woman was a farmer and higgler in her early years and was fond of every possible meat. But, her tastes have since changed.

"She nuh love mutton now but there was a time when she used to love everything," she said.

Ashley added that her mother came from a family blessed with long life as Gayle's mother lived to be more than 100 years old.

The centenarian was quiet for most of the interview but was not shy in asking, "weh yuh a give mi fi mi birthday" as her daughter spoke to THE STAR.

Eliza, who has lost her hearing, gets weak from time to time. However, her family said she has a clean bill of health otherwise.

"She may lose memory for a day or two but she always come back around," said Ashley.