9
A
s I drove to the home of SYLVIA
BARBARA KING-RODGERS I
couldn’t help thinking of the many
stories I have heard of this wonderful
lady, who has done so much for herself,
her family and the village of Fyzabad.
Her contribution to the community of
Fyzabad is well known and remembered
by the elderly of the district, and she
also enjoys the respect of the younger
generation.
I was welcomed by her daughter Mrs.
Valarie Spencer and herself at her
home, a modest bungalow nestled in
a quiet ,verdant valley of Crest Camp
homes, Fyzabad.
SYLVIA BARBARA KING-RODGERS,
born August 2nd 1919, was married
to Carlton Everett Rodgers who served
in the British West Indian Regiment
during WW11. He returned to Trinidad
in 1946 and took up a position as
Sergeant Major with Apex Oilfield Police
Department in the late ‘40’s to early
‘50s.
It was love for the area immediately
for Carlton and Sylvia, and when their
son Roland was born in Fyzabad,
they became totally involved in the
community.
Their two other children Courtney and
Valarie remained in Port of Spain with
their grand-parents .
Sylvia became involved with the
People’s National Movement (PNM)
Ode of a lady leader of Fyzabad.
SYLVIA BARBARA KING-RODGERS
and with Muriel Donawa and Baby
Woods they formed one of the most
powerful chapters in the Women’s
league in the area. Several programmes
grew from this women’s movement.
The school feeding program was one
of Sylvia’s greatest loves as she was
contracted to run the programmes with
several other women ( Baby Woods,
Therese Wilson and Irma Celestine) to
name a few.
Together with other very active senior
community leaders at the time who
have since passed on, (Msdmes/
Messrs Donawa, Woods, Telemaque,
Grant), and others who have survived
( Stephanie Encinas, Mary Anthony,
Soogrim Coolman, Fitz Hamil Lewis
and some others)they formed the
FYZABAD SENIOR CITIZEN HOMES
ASSOCIATION .
The association has since been renamed
the FYZABAD SENIOR CITIZENS
ASSOCIATION and is organized by
younger activists who hope to erect an
ACTIVITY CENTRE for the elderly, on
a property leased from Petrotrin Oil
Company.
Today, years later, several men and
women can remember her as the kind
lady in the school feeding program who
fed them daily, even though they were
neither eligible or registered , regardless
of race.
As a devout practicing Catholic, she
served on several church groups;/,
catechists, alter guilds, choirs, lay-
reader, bazaars, fundraising and
charismatic movement.
She served diligently and faithfully
with all priests serving the St.
Patrick Parish, and Fyzabad
the community she loved.
She still attends church
regularly assisted by a relative,
and if unable to, she receives
Holy Communion at her home.
Her health is not what it
was years ago, as now she
suffers from severe arthritis
and hypertension: and now
employs a live-in assistant to
take care of her as her mobility
is restricted.
Her menu consists of good
local food, and she neither drinks
alcohol nor smokes.
I asked her what was her most
memorable moment to which she
replied in a slow ,guttural speech, the
day her husband returned home in
1946; after being reported in action
during the war.
Assisted by her daughter Valarie, she
offered the following advice to the young
people of the community: be faithful
in Christ and pray, seek education and
respect the elderly.
She gave me one of her rare beautiful
smiles as I took her picture before
leaving.
TTARP wishes her long life and good
health, and all blessings.
Joan Garcia presents Sylvia Rodgers with a token of
appreciation.
Sylvia with her daughter Valerie Spencer.
submitted by Neville Navarro,
TTARP Executive Member.
