World’s oldest person Edna Parker dies aged 115

Edna Parker, the American centenarian recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person, has died aged 115.

Mrs Parker was born on April 20 1893 in central Indiana. She became the world's oldest person in August 2007 following the death of Japan’s Yone Minagawa, who was four months her senior.

Although she never drank alcohol or tried tobacco and led an active life, Mrs Parker did not offer tips for living a long life. Her only advice to those who gathered to celebrate when she became the oldest person was "more education".

Maria de Jesus of Portugal, who was born on September 10 1893, is now the world's oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

Edna Parker had been a widow since her husband, Earl, died in 1939 of a heart attack. She lived alone in their farmhouse until the age of 100, when she moved into her son's home. She later moved into a nursing home in Shelbyville, Indiana where she lived up until her death.

Oddly, she wasn’t the only record breaker living at the facility. Another resident at the nursing home, until her death in August 2008, was Sandy Allen, whom Guinness World Records recognised as the world’s tallest woman.

Mrs Parker outlived her two sons, Clifford and Earl Jr. She also had five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.


Source:

Code:

http://news.uk.msn.com/odd-news/