Gertrude Gordon's 100th birthday celebration held at Linstead Pentecostal Tabernacle. - Rasbert Turner/

Gertrude Hall-Gordon has lived for 100 years. And, as a mark of gratitude to the Creator, she spent her birthday on December 20 in church praising God.

Mother Gordon, as the centenarian is commonly known at the Linstead Pentecostal Tabernacle where she has been a member since 1950, was in good spirits when THE STAR visited.

"I thank the Lord for his grace and mercy all these years. It is what kept me and He still feels good today as the times before, the many trials that I have gone through is because God was in the vessel," Mother Gordon said, before starting to speak in unknown tongues.

While enjoying the moment with family, friends and close associates, Gordon smiled as she tasted a slice of the cake that had "100-year-old Mother Gordon" written on it.

It was a lively time that saw the birthday girl singing and praising her Maker for allowing her to have the gift of life for so long.

"I know that there must have been a reason why God mek mi live so long," she said while being helped back to her seat where she continued singing.

Gordon was born in Bermady, St Catherine on December 20, 1910. She is the first child for Esau Hall and Estella Gayle.

She got married to Richard Gordon in 1946 and the union produced four children. However, only one made it to adulthood, as the others died in infancy. That, however, did not prevent her from being a mother to several children whom she and her husband raised until he died in 1986.

"Yes, Mother Gordon was a good and firm person. And, I can still remember one evening when I went to the gate and she called me and seh di house build close enough to the road so you don't have to go back out there you hear me,'' Etta Redwood, an adopted child, told THE STAR.

During her productive years, she sold in the Linstead Market and also did dressmaking.

Bishop Frank Otto said the church is commemorating 70 years and Mother Gordon forms an integral part of the celebrations.