Bettie Wilson
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Bettie (Rutherford) Wilson (September 13, 1890 – February 13, 2006) became the oldest verified living person in the United States with the death of Emma Verona Johnston on December 1, 2004. She lost this designation when the age of Elizabeth Bolden was verified in April 2005. Both were born in the rural South—where they lived less than 100 miles apart.
Born of freed slaves, she was the oldest resident of the state of Mississippi ever recorded (the previous record was 113 years 12 days set in 1994). Her oldest son, Will Rogers, was said to be born October 27, 1909—making him 96 years old himself at the time (the 1930 census lists him as 19 years old in April 1930). In late April 2005, Mrs. Wilson moved into a new home funded by donations.
Wilson celebrated her 115th birthday in September 2005, at which time she ranked as the third-oldest living person in the world.
Wilson died at her New Albany home on February 13, 2006, aged 115 years 153 days. She is survived by a son, five grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, 95 great-great-grandchildren, and 38 great-great-great grandchildren.
[edit] See also
- NBC videos of Bettie Wilson and Susie Gibson
