Gertrude Weaver, who was 116-years-old, reportedly became the oldest person in the world last week, according to records kept by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group.
The woman, who lived in Arkansas, passed away on Monday just days after being named the world’s oldest documented person, according to CBS News.
Weaver reportedly became the world's oldest person after Misao Okawa passed away last week at 117. Weaver reportedly enjoyed being read news articles about being the oldest person in the world, according to Kathy Langley, the administrator of the Silver Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Centre in Camden, Arkansas.
“She certainly enjoyed it,” stated Langley.
She added, “We are devastated by her loss.”
Weaver was the daughter of sharecroppers and worked as a domestic helper, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. She passed away just after 10 a.m. on Monday at the rehabilitation center she was residing at before she passed.
Weaver, who was born on July 4, 1989, knew the key to longevity; kindness.
Woman who just became world's oldest person invites President Obama to 117th birthday party https://t.co/AZx8s9mHSb pic.twitter.com/yPRTzUR0Da
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 2, 2015
“She was a really sweet lady. She was relatively perky and coherent when I talked with her before the party,” stated Camden Mayor Marie Trisollini.
She continued, “When you asked for advice on how to live a long life she would say, ‘Use a lot of skin moisturizer, treat everyone nice, love your neighbor and eat your own cooking. Don’t eat at fast food places.”
The world’s oldest person is now Jeralean Talley, who will reportedly be turning 116 next month. Talley reportedly never smoked or drank alcohol and her only surgery was to have her tonsils removed.
Talley credits her faith for her longevity.
“It’s the Lord. Everything is in his hands,” she stated during an interview last year.
