I was born at the crack of dawn on November 2nd on a beautiful Saturday morning. My birthplace is in Berlin District in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. I was registered as Fern Adelaide. 
My parents are Walvin Guy Howell (Paddy) and Georgiana Elizabeth (nee Miller) who was also affectionately called Barbara. I am the only child for my parents, even though my father sired many other children.
As a child, I was often sickly and I experienced many bouts of illnesses. This condition caused me to be the only child to wear shoes (with no socks) to Primary school in the early 1950s. School days were wonderful for me and I walked a total of four miles to and from school each day – rain or shine. Then a great thing happened to me as a pupil. I received a full scholarship to attend High school in Kingston.
Kingston was located approximately 100 miles from my district and this meant that I had to leave the shelter of home. It was a bitter-sweet experience for my family. I had a good send-off and on the day of my departure, many persons came to see me go. Both my father and I travelled into Kingston on the bus “Treasure Girl”. This country-bumpkin come to town was in for many surprises which were more of a culture shock.
After completing my education at High school, I went back home and worked as a teacher in Mandeville for a year or so. And then I returned to Kingston to further my studies for a career in Business. I studied and worked part-time and was a Clerk in the General Post Office in Down Town Kingston. It was there I met a co-worker who is one of my closest friends today – Agnes Mitchell (nee Harris).
After completing my studies, I gained employment at the Administrator General’s Department. It was a good working experience and I was promoted many times. I found purpose in my work and my time there was very fulfilling.
It was there that I met a tall, lanky fellow and co-worker named Winston who became my husband.
Marriage is one of the defining moments of my life. I am a mother of four – three daughters and a son. They are Suzanne, Karen, Leighton, and Zoette. I am also a step-Mom for Winsome who was born before I met Winston.
I am also the grandmother of twelve – five granddaughters and seven grandsons. Two of my daughters and my stepdaughter live outside of Jamaica.
I have experienced the loss of both parents which was very sad for me. But God gave me the grace to deal with this sorrow. In 2011, I cremated my dear Winston. He died in his sleep on December 31, 2010, of a heart attack. This is the greatest loss for me and this sad experience is worse than the death of my own parents, but with God’s help and grace, I go on.
In October 2011 Rev. William Edwards proposed to me. We had become good friends after dating for approximately five months. We’ve known each other for years, but now we are in love.
We ‘tied-the-knot’ on April 21, 2012.
Travelling is one of my loves . . . within Jamaica and abroad. My travels to other countries include Barbados, Trinidad, Bonaire, Curacao, the United States of America, Canada and Singapore. Each trip has been memorable.
I was an active member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church where I once worked as the Church’s Administrator. I also taught for the Jamaica Child Evangelism Fellowship, worked for a few months as Bursar at ECA, and have also been invited to speak at several events and at some Churches.
I was also involved in many Christian ministries such as:
* The Independent Baptist Women’s Fellowship and was a member of the executive and National President (1994 – 2000)
* The Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA)
* Jamaica Child Evangelism Fellowship (JCEF)
* Back to the Bible
* RBC Ministries
* Facilitating Little Ones To Christ’s Kingdom (FLOCK) Ministries which includes The Samaritan Purse and Operation Christmas Child.
I now attend the Mamby Park Baptist Church with my husband Rev. William Edwards, who still preaches in his retirement years.
In the past I sewed and crocheted etc. but now my new hobbies include taking pictures, doing creative things on the computer & the Internet, playing some computer games such as online scrabble, as well as watching online movies. I also try to keep myself active, do a little exercise, and will always enjoy a good joke.
I thank God for forming me within the womb, for continually shaping me into His image and being with me over the years. I thank Him for loving me and for each day He has given to me … God is faithful and He is good!
Fern's Turf 