Marjorie Malcolm
Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer
If a prize were to be given to the most versatile woman of Seaforth, St. Thomas, Marjorie Malcolm would certainly be the winner.
She is only five feet tall, weighing 160 pounds and bespectacled. A grandmother of two and with a warm personality, she is simply known as Miss Madge.
But, 'simple' is far from her true nature. "I have never met anyone who works so hard and as skillfully as Miss Madge," says Faye Facey, a resident of the area.
Miss Madge has worked as a machine operator and mechanic for the Jamaica Fashion Knit Factory in the city, for over five years. She then worked as supervisor in the same company.
Tractor driver
When the factory closed down some years later, she worked as secretary to the Pioneer Farms in Morant District and, in her spare time, was the tractor driver on the farm although she was not employed in this capacity.
When the Pioneer Farms closed, she became self-employed as a farmer for three years on a one-acre plot of land in the parish. She was also engaged in the building process of her own home.
Later, she worked as a security guard and caretaker at Seaforth High School for eight years. Currently, Marjorie's substantive position is that of an assistant cook at the same institution.
Despite these proven areas of competence, she told Outlook: "I always wanted to be a musician. My brother Hugh Malcolm was one of Jamaica's greats. He was crowned number one drummer and named 'Sir George Malcolm' after being knighted by the Queen in 1969. He has influenced me."
Popular songs
Some of Hugh Malcolm's most popular songs are The Father's Time Is Coming Again, Love Brother Love and Mortgage the Land And Give Me The Money.
He was older and so Marjorie spent some time with him, during which she would observe and learn from him.
In 1999, Marjorie became a Christian. When the drum set at the Faith Baptist Church in Seaforth was bought, there was noone to play. The drums lay idle for one month.
"I saw this as an opportunity to play," Marjorie recalls with a wide smile and a matter-of-fact manner.
She continued, " I have been playing ever since, all over the island - at funerals and other church functions, not only at the Baptist church but in other churches." As a result of her expertise, other churches frequently demand her services.
Community oriented
Outlook spoke to Reverend Agoram Dike, Marjorie's minister and this was his perspective on her:
"Miss Madge is a community-oriented person who is the life of various organisations.
For example, she is president of the Seaforth burial scheme. Within the church, she is Sunday school superintendent.
"She is a woman who displays multiskills in an age where the church is 'feminised'. She generates energy. In 2000, Marjorie Malcolm was awarded Mother of the Year at the Faith Baptist Church. Then, in June 2005 she was awarded the most outstanding Sunday school teacher in the Seaforth circuit of Baptist churches.
"She is a blessing to the church. She can work! Anything you call upon her to do she is capable. Miss Madge is also deeply involved with the youth club and has earned the name 'Big Youth' (although she is 57 years old)," said Ivy Wheeler, a deacon at Faith Baptist.
Miss Malcolm says that she can read musical notes and hopes to learn more.
"I intend to do lessons on the bass guitar," Miss Madge finally sums up her story: "I enjoy the music ministry."
She is ever ready to learn more. But, most of all, she seeks to serve the Lord, using what she knows.
