Jeralean Talley of Inkster, Michigan, who is the world’s oldest person at 116, celebrated her birthday and even got a special message from President Barack Obama.
NBC News reported Talley was born in 1899 and has seen 20 presidents in the White House. In a letter to Talley, Obama wrote, “The breadth of your experiences and depth of your wisdom reflect the long path our Nation has traveled since 1899.”
Talley was one of 12 children born on May 23 and she was married to her husband Alfred until his death in 1988 at 95. She became the oldest person living in the world after Gertrude Weaver’s death in April. Weaver became the oldest living person the year before she passed away.
The Detroit Free Press reported that last Thursday, the Michigan Department of Health on Human Services awarded Talley $116 for every year of her life. She told the crowd, “I thank you very, very, very, very much.”
Talley has remained active all of her life and plans to go fishing this summer as she has done every year. Her daughter and only child, Thelma Holloway, said “She’s still in her right mind.” While the 77-year-old said she is “doing OK health wise,” she has been slower in her movements and takes frequent naps.
Talley has often given credit to her long life to the Lord and that in regards to her age, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
Image via Twitter from Rep. John Conyers.