World’s Oldest Person Dies at 116

Besse Cooper of Monroe, GA woke up Tuesday morning had her hair done, then spent a peaceful day at her assisted-living facility and that evening passed away at the ripe old age of 116. Besse was born in 1896 and was the world oldest living person at the time of her passing.

Besse in her life time saw 20 different Presidents, 2 World Wars, the invent of Radio, Television, manned flight, the rise and fall of the U.S.S.R., and man walking on the Moon. When Besse was born the Ford-Quadricycle sold for $200. She saw the telephone go from a box on the wall to over 87% of us having one in our pockets. The population of the U.S. was just over 62 million people; today we are now over 300 million. Besse saw the Montreal Canadiens will all 24 of their Stanley Cups, all 17 of the Boston Celtics world titles, The New York Yankees won 27 world titles, The St. Louis Cardinals won 11 and she was alive when the Chicago Cubs last won in 1908.

Besse was asked by the Guinness World Record people what was the secret to long life, she said “I mind my own business and don’t eat junk food”. Besse Cooper is only one of eight people who have ever been documented to have lived for 116 years. Wow.