A great-great grandma, retired dinner lady and wartime telephonist is celebrating her 100th birthday.

Phyllis Jeffery, from Sittingbourne, is being spoiled by her family today as she reaches the milestone.

The centenarian was born in 1922 to John and Kate Butcher, in Shakespeare Road, Sittingbourne.

She moved to School Lane, Bapchild after marrying Ronald Jeffery, on February 12, 1944 at Murston Church.

The couple lived in Stanhope Avenue from 1982 until September 2006, when they moved to The Turrets, West Lane, Sittingbourne. Ronald died on October 6 that year.

Phyllis and Ronald had four children: Linda, Eileen, Malcom and Andrew.

Daughter Eileen Wade said: “Mum went to the Mission Rooms and then to the council school in Canterbury Road.

“Her first teacher was a Miss Smith who was also my first teacher in 1952.”

Phyllis’ first job was in a café in Frognal Lane, Teynham.

After that she worked as a maid in the Vicarage, in Dully Road, Bapchild, where her sister, Margaret, who passed away several years ago, was the cook.

Eileen continued: “Mum was called up to join the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) during the Second World War where she served as a telephonist in Gloucestershire. She was transferred to Sittingbourne Co-op in West Lane, to continue her skills.

“It was here that she met Ronald, who was a messenger boy for the Home Guards in his spare time, as well as working in the laboratory in the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers (APCM) works, Murston.”

As her children got older Phyllis was also a dinner lady at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School.

She now has nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and also six great-great grandchildren.

Her grandchildren are Cyril, Vanessa, Heather, Sarah, Melanie, Darren, Graham, Thomas and Carolyn.

Her great-grandchildren are Daniel, Emma, Jessica, Ella, Christopher, Jonathon, Aaron, Bethany, Isaac, Jade and Gemma. And her great-great grandchildren are called Ellie-Rose, Oliver, Grace, Daniel, Lauren and Luke.

Eileen said: “When it comes to the secret of a long and happy life I can’t think of anything my mum would say apart from have a cup of tea!

“Mum has had a lot of pain over many years, mainly due to arthritis, but she doesn’t complain.

“She is an example to us all, bless her.”