LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that Merah Louise Smith celebrated her 114th birthday on 9 November. Mrs. Smith is currently the oldest living person born in Jamaica and the second-oldest living person in the United Kingdom, behind 117-year-old Ethel Caterham.
Mrs. Smith marked her remarkable milestone with a special birthday party at her care home, surrounded by several generations of her family, including her 91-year-old daughter, Irene. The celebrations featured homemade food and birthday cake, while Mrs. Smith was also delighted to receive her eleventh royal birthday card, her fifth from King Charles III.
At 114, Merah Smith and Ethel Caterham, aged 117, represent only the second occasion on which two people aged 114 or older have been living simultaneously in the United Kingdom. The previous occurrence dates back to November 1999, when Annie Jennings (1884–1999) and Eva Morris (1885–2000) were both living at the ages of 115 and 114, respectively.
A LIFE FROM JAMAICA TO THE UNITED KINGDOM
Merah Louise Smith was born in Windsor Castle, St. Mary, Jamaica, on 9 November 1912, to James Nathanial McClure (1871–1932) and Carlotta Agatha Anderson (1880–1951). She was the youngest of six children.
While working as a nurse in the early 1930s, a decade she has always described as her favourite, Merah met her future husband, James Edgar Smith (1908–1958). Together, they had three children: a daughter, Irene, born in 1935, and two sons, Antony (1946–2025) and Icha, born in 1957.
Reflecting on their relationship some years ago, Merah recalled: “One of my proudest moments was meeting and marrying my husband. Sadly he died before me.”
Tragically, Merah was widowed on 20 December 1958, when James died from stomach cancer at the age of 50. She continued living in Jamaica until 1963, when she immigrated to the United Kingdom.
Following her arrival in Britain, Merah continued her nursing career with the National Health Service (NHS), a profession she greatly enjoyed throughout her working life. “I loved my profession and helping people,” she once said.
During her years in the United Kingdom, Merah welcomed six grandchildren, followed by numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, creating a growing family spanning several generations.
A LIFETIME OF ACTIVITY AND INDEPENDENCE
Independence has always been important to Merah. Having moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s, she demonstrated remarkable determination in building a new life for herself and her family following the loss of her husband.
Her independent spirit continued well into her later years. At 103, she travelled to Jamaica for a two-week holiday, and later attended her granddaughter’s wedding in Cumbria, making the journey to and from London by train.
Throughout her life, Merah maintained an active lifestyle. Even after celebrating her 100th birthday in 2012, she continued exercising at the gym and regularly attended kickboxing classes until the age of 103. She eventually stopped these more vigorous activities on medical advice after developing a knee problem, which also brought an end to her much-loved line dancing.
In 2022, her late son Antony spoke about his mother’s remarkable strength and fitness, attributing her longevity in part to her lifelong commitment to exercise. “She went line dancing in Croydon with her troupe. She is so strong and has a sharp memory,” he recalled.
Until March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns restricted her activities, Merah continued taking daily walks into her local town.
Although she has always maintained a positive outlook, the restrictions proved particularly difficult. Reflecting on the experience in 2021, she said: “I’ve seen many things in my life but last year was the worst year I’ve been through. It’s been difficult because I haven’t been able to go outside. Before Covid I used to like walking a lot and exercising.”
Despite the challenges of that period, Merah continued to persevere. In November 2022, she celebrated her 110th birthday, officially becoming a supercentenarian.
Her contributions to the community were also recognised in May 2023, when she received the Freedom of the Borough Award from Croydon Council in recognition of her service to others through her work with the NHS.
A PLAN FOR A LONG LIFE
Merah has long expressed her ambition to reach at least 115 years of age. She has often credited her longevity to a combination of healthy eating, an active lifestyle and, above all, her faith.
Despite her longstanding ambition, she has also expressed a humble acceptance of life’s uncertainties. “I tell you what, I didn’t expect to live so long but anytime the Lord wants to take me, I trust him, he can take me,” she recently remarked.
Her late son Antony also spoke about her determination to reach 115, highlighting the importance she placed on maintaining a healthy diet and her religious beliefs. “She always tells me she’s aiming to live until 115 and look, there’s nothing wrong with her! She eats good food and believes in her church, that’s what keeps her young,” he said in 2022.
Merah herself has consistently maintained that simple, healthy habits have played an important role in her longevity. Explaining her approach to life, she said: “Eating good food like chicken, vegetables and fruit. No stress, but most of all reading the Bible, praying and trusting in God.”
A REMARKABLE PLACE IN LONGEVITY HISTORY
Over recent years, Merah has achieved several notable longevity milestones.
On 4 November 2023, following the death of Merle O’Hara, she became the oldest living person born in Jamaica and on 17 December 2024, following the death of Mary Keir, she became the second-oldest living person in the United Kingdom. She is also the last living person residing in the United Kingdom who was born in 1912 and the second-oldest Jamaican person ever recorded, behind Violet Brown.
Now aged 114, Merah’s extraordinary journey has spanned more than a century of history, from her childhood in Jamaica to her many decades of nursing, raising a family and building a life in the United Kingdom.
Her story is one of resilience, independence, faith and devotion to family, offering an inspiring example of a life lived with purpose and determination.
LongeviQuest extends its warmest congratulations to Mrs. Smith on her 114th birthday. We hope she enjoyed a wonderful celebration and wish her continued happiness, comfort and many peaceful days ahead. We thank her family for sharing her birthday photographs with us.
