Sidilla Editha "Cedella" Booker, born on July 23, 1926, in Rhoden Hall, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, was a singer and writer. She married Norval Sinclair Marley at the age of 18, and after his death in 1957, she moved to Trenchtown, Kingston with their son Robert Nesta (later known as Bob Marley). In 1963, her son formed the original Wailers trio with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Cedella Booker released the albums Awake Zion and Smilin’ Island of Song. She also wrote two books about her son: Bob Marley: An Intimate Portrait by His Mother (1997) and Bob Marley, My Son (2003). In 1993, she created the 9 Mile Music Festival to honor Bob Marley's message of peace. She passed away on April 8, 2008, in Miami, Florida.
