Cedella Booker, mother of Reggae icon, Robert Nesta Marley, died on Tuesday night at her home in Florida at the age of 82.

Known as a cheerful person, 'Mama Marley' as she was affectionately called was a mother, grandmother, singer and author. She died peacefully in her sleep.

Mrs Booker was mother to four children and is survived by two, Pearl Livingston, half sister of reggae singer Bunny Wailer, and Richard Booker, promoter of the annual Bob Marley Concert in Miami.

Mrs Booker was born in the community of Rhoden Hall and later moved to Nine Miles, St Ann, where she eventually gave birth to a baby boy that would later become a legend and icon across the world.

Moved to trench town

Booker later married a white Jamaican with English roots Norval Sinclair Marley, a marine officer and captain, when she was only 18 years old, which produced Bob Marley. Bob was 10 years old when Norval died of a heart attack in 1955 at age 60. Cedella and Bob then moved to Trench Town in Kingston. Booker later remarried an American man and moved to Delaware.

An author of two touching novels on her son, Bob Marley, My Son and Bob Marley: An Intimate Portrait by His Mother, Cedella also released her albums Awake Zion and Smilin' Island of Song. Cedella was also a big supporter of her grandchildren often seen at various shows they performed on as well as various events for her late son.

Mama Marley said in a previous interview with The Gleaner titled 'A chat with Mama Marley': "I didn't know he was going to be a Reggae king, but I knew he was a king from birth. It was a great moment, you know. I remember it clearly. I will never forget it. No mother will forget the birth of any of their children. It is the best time of their lives."

Sad occasion

Her favourite song from her son was No Woman No Cry which she said gave her strength during difficult times. "When I listen to that, it just lifts me up and make me feel good inside. There is a power to that song. I love all of his songs, but that one is special to me," she once said.

The passing of Cedella Booker is a sad occasion as noted in a release sent by the prime minister, Bruce Golding. Mr Golding said that Mrs Booker's life was one of hardship, struggle and eventual fulfilment, and through it all she exuded hope, strength and confidence. He noted her accomplishments as a performer and author and hailed her devotion to her family.

While Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports Honourable Olivia Grange in a release thanked Mrs Booker for the gift of her son and said that in raising Bob as a single mother, she epitomised the strength of the Jamaican woman.