The end of an era literally. The world’s oldest and last living person from the 1800’s has passed away in Brooklyn, late last night.
Susannah Mushatt Jones died Thursday night at a senior housing facility in Brooklyn, New York at the age of 116. Ms. Mushatt held the title of oldest person in the world since April 1, 2015 when Misao Okawa died at the age of 117 in Tokyo, Japan. Even that was argued by a Brazilian man who was claiming to be 131 but Guinness World Records recognized Okawa only. So who’s the reigning champ now? An Italian woman at 116 years old Emma Morano.
Susannah Jones co-founded a college scholarship fund for African-American women and was active in her public housing building’s tenant patrol up until the age of 106. That’s work! She was known as “Miss Susie”, according to NBC New York.
Jones was born in 1899 in Alabama and probably lived so long because of the fresh produce she would pick and eat for herself. She lived on a family farm before becoming a nanny and moving to New York. She leaves behind no children and was only married for a brief time. Although, her niece Loise Judge expressed Susannah’s love for children. Rest in paradise!
