OXFORD’S AFRICAN-CARIBBEAN heritage residents and others attended in great number on Monday 10th October, the funeral of Mrs Icolyn ‘Ma’ Smith MBE; who fed the city’s homeless for thirty years: despite initial opposition from the political Left.
Ma Smith was a traditional old-school Caribbean Christian, who was positively optimist, disciplined, people centred and indefatigable.
Ma Smith found creative ways of overcoming the skin-colour rejection His Majesty’s African-Caribbean heritage people encountered in 1960s Oxford and England: whilst her home helped: assisted and nurtured countless Caribbean-heritage people struggling to make Oxford their home.
Ma Smith’s was well known in Oxford for her Caribbean Cuisine; which was superb.
Ma Smith’s stall at the annual Caribbean Cowley Road Carnival would quickly sell-out of her signature dish, “Caribbean curry goat and rice,” such was the knowledge and popularity of her cooking.
Uniquely for a Caribbean-heritage Subject, Ma Smith would read my frequent letters in the Oxford Mail; and she shared her views and criticism with me; whilst I enjoyed her wonderful Caribbean cuisine.
I was deeply moved by the passing of Ma Smith because Oxford has lost its best example of the 1960s Caribbean Character.
Oxford is a colder place without the Christian grace of Jamaica’s Ma Smith.
Born November 10th 1930, passed from this life on September 22 2022, 91 years of life.
By Chaka Artwell. Secretary, Oxford African Caribbean Conversation.
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Ma Smith found creative ways of overcoming the skin-colour rejection His Majesty’s African-Caribbean heritage people encountered in 1960s Oxford and England: whilst her home helped: assisted and nurtured countless Caribbean-heritage people struggling to make Oxford their home.
Ma Smith’s was well known in Oxford for her Caribbean Cuisine; which was superb.
Ma Smith’s stall at the annual Caribbean Cowley Road Carnival would quickly sell-out of her signature dish, “Caribbean curry goat and rice,” such was the knowledge and popularity of her cooking.
Uniquely for a Caribbean-heritage Subject, Ma Smith would read my frequent letters in the Oxford Mail; and she shared her views and criticism with me; whilst I enjoyed her wonderful Caribbean cuisine.
I was deeply moved by the passing of Ma Smith because Oxford has lost its best example of the 1960s Caribbean Character.
Oxford is a colder place without the Christian grace of Jamaica’s Ma Smith.
Born November 10th 1930, passed from this life on September 22 2022, 91 years of life.
By Haydon Hughes. Secretary, Oxford African Caribbean Conversation.