CNN: Susannah Mushatt Jones, world's oldest person, dies at 116

Source: edition.cnn.com/2016/05/13/living/worlds...rson-dies/index.html

Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world's oldest person, has died in New York, a Guinness World Records spokesman confirmed Friday. She was 116.

Jones, who attributed her longevity to sleep, clean living and positive energy, died at 8:26 p.m. Thursday after being ill and in and out of the hospital for 10 days, said her niece, Dr. Lavilla Watson. She died while  sleeping. Jones was the last American born in the late 1800s.

Jones was born on July 6, 1899, in Lowndes County, Alabama, and her life spanned three centuries, according to Guinness World Records. Her father was a sharecropper who supported his family by picking cotton. The woman lived through 20 U.S. presidents, two world wars and the birth of the automobile, the airplane, TV and the Internet.

Jones said she was determined to give the first-born girl in her family the gift of a college education. Despite her $50 weekly salary, she said she single-handedly put her first three nieces through college. The third oldest of 10 children, Jones had 100 nieces and nephews.

Jones had said she did not smoke or drink and cited loving relationships as a secret to her longevity.

"I surround myself with love and positive energy" she told the New York City Housing Authority in 2005. "That's the key to long life and happiness."

At least she got to live for a very long time. RIP.

Wise words from a wise woman. I'm not surprised that so many century-old people say that by now. RIP

She was in three centuries can't want more than that

Well that just amazes me that someone can live that long, and it is sad to see her go.  I hope that the family and all her loved ones are at peace, and I hope that she lived a fulfilling life.  I did not know that the age was as high as it was, but it just goes to show you the resilience of the human race.  I do not plan to make it that long, not nearly that long for that matter, but I am glad to hear that some people are.