America's Oldest Person Dead at 115
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Bessie Hendricks was named America's oldest living person in January 2022.
The oldest American, Bessie Hendricks, has passed away. She was 115.
The heartbreaking news comes about a year after Hendricks was named America's oldest living person in Jan. 2022.
Hendricks was born on Nov. 7, 1907, in Carroll County, Iowa, and went on to become a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in nearby Calhoun County, according to local reports.
She later married and started a family that grew to include five children, nine grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 42 great-great-grandchildren.
Throughout her lifetime, she witnessed 21 presidencies, two world wars, and the sinking of the Titanic.
When asked about the secret to living a long life, the supercentenarian told NBC's WHO13 reporters that hard work is key. And despite her age at the time of the interview—which took place at her 110th birthday party—Hendricks remained dedicated to the craft of crochet and working with the Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.
She even wowed guests at her 110th birthday party by singing a verse from her favorite song, "You Are My Sunshine." The tune, a timeless classic, was first recorded by The Pine Ridge Boys in 1939; Hendricks was 32 at the time.
Memorial arrangements have yet to be announced, per WHO13.
According to the Gerontology Research Group, the title of oldest living American now belongs to 114-year-old Edie Ceccarelli of Willets, California, who will reportedly turn 115 on Feb. 5.
She follows American-born Spanish supercentenarian Maria Branyas Morera who, at just shy of 116 years old, holds the title of Spain's oldest living person, and Fusa Tatsumi of Japan, who will celebrate his 116th birthday in April. Lucile Randon of France, who turns 119 on Feb. 11th, still reigns as the world's oldest living person.
