FIFTEEN children, 41 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren all owe their roots to one man — centenarian Luther Allen.

Born on July 24, 1926 in Reading, Lacovia, St Elizabeth, Luther is the eldest of three children for Melford Allen and Cathren Thompson. A farmer for most of his life, he moved to St Catherine in 1951, where he met his wife, Una Brown Allen, who is now deceased. Together, they had 15 children — eight girls and seven boys — all born between 1953 and 1977, and all of whom are still alive today.

Seated comfortably in his special chair at his home in Bushy Park, St Catherine, last Friday, the centenarian smiled quietly as some of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends surrounded him, joyfully singing Happy Birthday. At the centre of the celebration was a man whose century-long journey has been defined by faith, hard work, and an unwavering devotion to family.