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Under the golden Sunday sun, the Reserve Cemetery in Trelawny buzzed with activity on Sunday as scores of people gathered to observe the preparation of the final resting place for Wellesley 'Gideon' Bolt, father of sprinting icon Usain Bolt.

Labourers Nicholas Williams and Clive Gardner were among the first to arrive, shovels and pickaxe in hand, to dig the elder Bolt's grave.

"We had to come early because Gideon was our friend," said Williams, pausing to wipe the sweat from his brow. "Look how many persons have come with tools ready to dig. It shows how much Gideon was loved and respected."

Office worker Charmaine Brown was also among the volunteers, hauling several buckets of cement from the mortar board to the sepulchre -- her personal tribute to a man she deeply admired.

"I am doing this on behalf of my mother who worked with Gideon at the coffee board," Brown said, her face glowing with pride. "He treated my mother and us with love and respect. I am honouring him with what I am doing."

Wellesley Bolt passed away on March 31 at the age of 69. A service celebrating his life will be held on May 4 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Duke Street in Falmouth, followed by interment at the Reserve Cemetery.

Sunday's gathering was a vivid showcase of a rich Jamaican tradition - the grave-digging ceremony - where mourning takes a back seat to music, dancing, food, and togetherness. From as far away as the United States, Bermuda, and England, friends and well-wishers converged to honour the man who helped raise a global superstar.

The brief afternoon showers could not dampen the spirits of the locals who gathered in the cemetery. Music blared from speaker boxes and adults chatted loudly among themselves, some recalling the kind-natured man they called Gideon. Joseph Palmer was the life of the gathering, dancing and sipping liquor as he wove through the crowd.

"It is a joyous occasion. You can't find anyone with a tear in their eye," he declared. "Jennifer [the widow] will have to employ some professional mourners for the funeral," he added with a hearty laugh.

Cherikee Bolt, a proud member of the Bolt clan, had led a group from St Ann to Trelawny to be part of the day's activities.

"We had to be here and will be back for the funeral," she said. "Trelawny people can thank Kaiser for relocating Wellesley. If not, we would be the ones to reap the fame that Usain has brought to Trelawny."

Through it all, Jennifer Bolt was a pillar of quiet strength. Though she declined to give a comment, she graciously ensured that no one went hungry.

Lorna Thorpe watched the scene unfold with admiration.

"Jennifer is so kind. The first set of food was finished and she cooked another set of rice and curried chicken," Thorpe shared.

Among the many faces in the crowd was Junior Hudson, who flew in from Atlanta, in the USA, determined to pay his respects.

"Gideon and I sat on the same bench at Waldensia [All-Age School]. He has been my friend from those days, so I am here to show respect," Hudson said.