| Rita Smyke | |
 Rita Smyke (aged 110) on 5 January 2024, being visited by Social Devlopment Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. | |
| Birth: | 29 December 1913 Princes Town, Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Death: | 21 June 2024 Marabella, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Age: | 110 years, 175 days |
| Country: |  TRI
|
| Unvalidated | |
Rita Smyke (29 December 1913 – 21 June 2024) was a Trinidadian supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). At the time of her death, she was the oldest known living person in Trinidad and Tobago.
Biography[]
Rita Smyke was born in Princes Town, Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago, on 29 December 1913. She was a descendant of the Merikins, formerly enslaved African Americans who fought for the British against the U.S. in the War of 1812. At some point, she married, and had five children. When her husband wasn’t working, she would wash and iron clothes for others to help support their five children. Her husband died in 1979. She was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and dedicated several decades to community service.
On 23 January 2023, following the death of 111-year-old Una Webster, she became the oldest known living person in Trinidad and Tobago.
On 29 December 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On 5 January 2024, she received a surprise visit from Social Development Minister, Donna Cox, who expressed deep admiration for her exceptional journey. At the age of 110, she had 23 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Rita Smyke died in Marabella, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, on 21 June 2024, at the age of 110 years, 175 days. Following her death, then 110-year-old Dharmie Deo became the oldest known living person in Trinidad and Tobago.
Gallery[]
References[]
- 100th Birthday Thanksgiving Honoring Rita Smyke Hollis Clifton on YouTube, 31 December 2013
- Rita Smyke is Princes Town’s latest centenarian Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 1 January 2014
- Longest Living Female Merikin, Rita Smyke, Celebrates 107th Birthday TTT Live Online on YouTube, 5 February 2021
- Merikin matriarch Rita Smyke celebrates 107th birthday Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 9 February 2021
- Rita Smyke celebrates 110 ‘not out’ CNC3 Television, 30 December 2023
- Rita Smyke, the oldest surviving descendant of the Merikens joyously celebrated her remarkable one hundred and tenth birthday with family on Friday CNC3 Television on Instagram, 30 December 2023
- T&T’s oldest Meriken descendant celebrates 110th birthday Trinidad Guardian, 31 December 2023
- 110-year-old Rita Smyke visited by Social Devlopment Minister 103.1 FM, 5 January 2024
- Rita Smyke, Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest living person, dies at 110 Gerontology Research Group, 21 June 2024
| Trinidad and Tobago's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Elbert Blades • Stella Browne • Soogaree Jattan • Vivian Reese • Una Webster • Rita Smyke • Dharmie Deo • Irving Joseph |