BASSETERRE St. Kitts, May 1st 2012 - When reflecting on such venerable matriarchs - the likes of Ada May Edwards, Mary Charles George and Lady Annie Locker Allen, one would have no other alternative but to say that Mrs. Janet Akers exemplifies those phenomenal traits possessed by those three distinguished ladies.
Certainly all three would have created a psychological impact on the lives of each and every conscious-minded citizen within our historical, cultural, educational and social affairs.
Obviously, this woman of substance epitomizes true moral, ethical values which had been instilled by disciplined parentage, which she exhibited throughout her lifespan.
The Parish of St. Mary's Cayon to be exact, where the old cotton industry gained prominence, should be proud to know that this was the birthplace of this outstanding centurion.
In my book of virtuous women, Lady Janet Akers will be regarded as a Christian Queen who lived a very quiet God centered life: one who might not have made any special mark on the world stage at large, but whose good examples were displayed to others by her gentle influence, especially those who had the privilege of being around her.
As a student of the Cayon Elementary School she was able to transform her life to be a self-reliant individual, giving her the impetus to advance herself in a positive manner, attending church and Sunday School, which in those days was a must. Both mother and father worked assiduously to make ends meet.
An unfortunate accident occurred with her father who was an overseer on the estate as well as the family's main food provider, which resulted in his death.
After the death of her father, her mother, with twelve children, that is, Janet and her eleven older siblings, was asked to vacate the estate house, mainly because none of her brothers and sisters worked for the sugar industry. This meant that her entire family had to seek employment instantaneously, so as to alleviate the financial burden they were encountering.
In an extensive interview with Lady Janet and her daughter Sylvia it was outlined to me that because of that spiritual awareness within her she was able to win the hearts of many, including her pastor Reverend Cedric Lanyon Thornton out of England, who gave her the opportunity to work for his church threw the ministry looking after the babies and other domestic duties.
In view of the economic crisis at that time she was forced to migrate to Antigua shortly after, in search of 'greener pastures'.
Surely! greener pastures were met when she got married to a Kittitian counterpart who went to Antigua to seek work the same way she did.
While there in Antigua she was able to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour through the Pilgrim Holiness Church, which she is still a member of up to this present day, apart from when she attended the Pentecostal Church in Tabernacle, (which is still called the New Testament Church of God).
With that short stint of four to five years in Antigua, life began to get more and more complicated, and in 1946 both she and her husband decided that it was necessary to return to St. Kitts, their 'born in land', with a determined desire to make things work for the better.
On her return to St. Kitts she spent some time with her sister Eglantine who encourage her to return to st.kitts , and later moved to Tabernacle. During the period of about 20 years of her residence at Tabernacle, she established a reputable business making tarts, pastries, sugar cakes, conkies as well as sewing and a variety of other products, including the numerous items of clothing she had perfected and items which she bought for resale. Shortly before moving to Tabernacle she had become the Guardian of her said sister's children, bringing them up in a Christian environment of attending church and instilling a sense of discipline, and the qualities of good manners and behaviour in all of them.
There in Tabernacle she was able to socialise not only with the people in the village but the general populace within its environs and beyond. This, a woman of such impeccable character, whose exemplary qualities are priceless, was able to serve with distinction as a role model in community development and its enhancement, which paved the way for many celebrities: doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers, religious ministers, whom she counseled and gave good sound advice when needed; even when marriages were broken up, she was able to mend them back! And when there seemed to be no way out she was able to give comfort, wisdom and hope. especially to the sick and down-trodden.
Since coming to Basseterre from Tabernacle, after the death of her husband in 1974, her home has always been a nesting ground for many celebrities and members of her family: the likes of His Excellency Mr. Cedric Lanyon Harper, Ambassador to Cuba, Mrs. Doreen Harper Taylor, Gloria Mitcham and Verna Isaac Hazel, not forgetting nurse Sylvia Manning, her daughter, who gave tirelessly of her time and affection, making sure that she achieved this most significant milestone of this her hundredth anniversary.
In her Pilgrim Church, now called the Wesleyan Holiness Church, she has been a stalwart member and a tower of strength for many years, and has encouraged many persons to accept the Lord. It is the first time in the Basseterre Wesleyan Holiness Church that a member has reached 100 years. It is undoubtedly an auspicious occasion. She held the position in the church of Deaconess and Treasurer. This Woman of Substance should be highly commended for a job well done. The many awards you have won is ample testimony of your renowned stewardship with respect to your dedication, application, inspiration and motivation.
On this celebration of your 100th anniversary we give you special thanks and continue to express our appreciation for impacting our lives so emphatically, attaining your hundredth anniversary. We are very proud of you and we wish u continued happiness, peace and joy! To all the family and friends who came from far and near, we thank you for sharing this wonderful day of thanksgiving with us. HAPPY HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY, LADY JANET AKERS! YOU HAVE SERVED AND
WITNESS WITH DISTINCTION!
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