Oldest living American turns 115

[MKR&*42]

Today, Jeralean Talley will hit a milestone only a handful in the world ever have experienced: She turns 115.

The Inkster woman, who bowled until she was 104, went fishing last year, still gets around on her own with the help of a walker, had some memorable birthday gifts in recent years, including checks for $113 — a dollar for every year she lived at that point — and jewelry from a couple of her doctors.

She plans to celebrate her birthday with friends and family at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Inkster on Sunday and has one outing lined up today: a trip to the doctor for a checkup.

“I don’t feel sick,” Talley said.

But different places on her body hurt occasionally, like her knees. She said her right hand shakes, she has a hard time hearing, and her memory comes and goes.

Talley is the oldest living American and second-oldest person in the world on a list kept by the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks many of the world’s longest-living people.

Only 35 verified people have actually reached 115 years old (obviously going to be more that haven't been verified but yeah the number will be slim either way). The oldest person to have ever lived (verified) was Jeanne Calment (122 yrs old) and the oldest current living person is Misao Okawa.

Btw the article was posted yesterday Happy belated birthday to her and congrats.

[Kyle]

Can anybody else see themselves wanting to live that long? Seems like just going on for the sake of going on. I think 80s is a good age to kick it, anything longer and I'd get bored. :/

[MKR&*42]

I would get bored too probably, sure I read that she doesn't really go out much and the one who is the world's oldest is just stuck in a nursing home, it must get boring

Saying that, being alive in three different centuries must have been astonishing.

[Lewis]

It'd be interesting seeing all the technology advancements. Imagine what it's like for the current people over 100 years old, there's so much that's changed!

[-:Undertaker:-]

Happy birthday, incredible milestone to reach.

A century of being alive... the mind boggles at the changes that have taken place over that time.

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Happy birthday, incredible milestone to reach.

A century of being alive... the mind boggles at the changes that have taken place over that time.