Gertrude Weaver dies just five days after becoming the world’s oldest person

[Omaha Steve]

Source: W Post

By Elahe Izadi

Gertrude Weaver, who became the world’s oldest person last week, died Monday morning in Arkansas after suffering complications from pneumonia.

The 116-year-old became next in line to officially earn the title of oldest person when 117-year-old Misao Okawa of Japan died Wednesday. Weaver was fully aware of her unique place in the world and “knew everything,” Kathy Langley, administrator at the Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center, where Weaver lived, told The Post by phone.

“She was alert and oriented,” Langley said. “She knew that she was the oldest person in the world, and she enjoyed that distinction greatly. She enjoyed every phone call, every letter, every comment — everything was read to her.”

Weaver became sick on Saturday and died at 10:12 a.m. Monday, Langley said. She’s survived by her son, Joe Weaver, who turns 94 on Tuesday, Langley said.

FULL story at link.

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=

Gertrude Weaver poses at Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Camden, Ark., in July, the day before her 116th birthday. (Danny Johnston/AP)

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/04/06/gertrude-weaver-dies-just-five-days-after-becoming-the-worlds-oldest-person/

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. Me and THE FAM were getting yogurt with the grandkids the other day and sitting is this

old man, who catches my eye, and he waves me over.

He then asks me to guess how old he is, knowing that he was really old and proud of it, I purposely guessed way less than I knew he was so as to complement him, I said "74" he said nope, this Sunday I will be 95"


at which point I acted all blown away...

But i was kind of blown away, he was a sharp dude, told me about working for "Carter's Pills" among other things.

[shenmue]

2. ...

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

3. Wow - she'd be just about the last of those born in the 1800s

Its just interesting to think about. When I was growing up in 1950s/60s all the old people kinda looked like the 1800s - clothes, the big mustaches etc. Now they're all long gone, and I'm old! Where does the time go!

[KamaAina]

4. So now who's the oldest?

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Someone in Michigan

The world's oldest known person is now Jeralean Talley of Inskter, Michigan, who was born on May 23, 1899 and will turn 116 next month, according to the group.

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/aging/arkansas-woman-dies-116-after-6-day-reign-worlds-oldest-n336781

I had just read the article in the above excerpt right before I saw the OP posted here on DU.

[jberryhill]

6. This happens pretty regularly

The real competition is not in being the world's oldest person, but how long you can hold the title.

But, normally, the "world's oldest person" dies in a few weeks or months, and the age stays fairly constant.

[starroute]

7. Here's the list from Wikipedia

Rank Name Sex Birth date Age as of 6 April 2015 Place of residence
1 Jeralean Talley F 23 May 1899 115 years, 318 days United States
2 Susannah Mushatt Jones F 6 July 1899 115 years, 274 days United States
3 Emma Morano-Martinuzzi F 29 November 1899 115 years, 128 days Italy
4 Violet Brown F 10 March 1900 115 years, 27 days Jamaica
5 Antonia Gerena Rivera F 19 May 1900 114 years, 322 days United States
6 Nabi Tajima F 4 August 1900 114 years, 245 days Japan
7 Blanche Cobb F 8 September 1900 114 years, 210 days United States
8 Goldie Steinberg F 30 October 1900 114 years, 158 days United States
9 Kiyoko Ishiguro F 4 March 1901 114 years, 33 days Japan
10 Dominga Velasco F 12 May 1901 113 years, 329 days United States

[KamaAina]

9. We have six out of the top ten?

With our health care system?!

[treestar]

16. and what kind of system does Japan have?

2 is a pretty good representation for a country of that size.

[Smithryee]

11. One thing you can say for sure - Female Power.

All these fine women are the oldest!

We males have to deal with life..

[Kaleva]

14. Only 3 people left in the world that were born prior to 1900

[Submariner]

8. Keith Richards, I think

All the drugs in his system make him look younger than his 125 years.

[Politicalboi]

10. I read somewhere online the other day

About a man who was upset he was going to die before Keith Richards.

[Dr. Strange]

12. Things that make you go...

Hmmmm....

[AngryAmish]

13. Quite frankly, The Undertaker's streak lasted 21 years.

They really need to step up their game.

[Tom Ripley]

15. It seems that honor is the kiss of death

Eerie...

[jberryhill]

17. Not very odd if you think about it

One only becomes the world's oldest person because someone else died.

It's not as if you can get old faster than anyone else. You have to outlive them.

However, the world's youngest person title changed hands tens of thousands of times today.

You were once briefly that person.

[Tom Ripley]

18. Yes