Age validation of Mary Long (1905-2019)
The Gerontology Research Group is delighted to announce the completed age validation of Mary Ana Long, nee Earl.
Mary was born February 18 1905 in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, USA to Los Angeles (Lossie) Hopkins, nee Myers (1889-1999) and a man with the surname Earl. Lossie married several times during Mary’s earlier years, with Mary often taking the surname of the husbands. She had at least one sibling – a brother named Samuel (born 1915).
Mary herself married at least four times – to David Morgan Sr (c.1923), to Ben Anthony (c.1929), to Booker Fields (c.1935) and finally to a man with the surname Long later in life. She had three children – David Jr, Luther and Mary, who all had the same father – David Morgan Sr.
Mary lived her whole life in Kentucky. In 1976, she and her mother were mugged and injured in the street, but recovered with no issues. In 2005, Mary celebrated her 100th birthday with an announcement in the local newspaper. In 2007, an article was written about her life and love of arts and crafts. In 2015, Mary turned 110, gaining the title of supercentenarian. She credited a long life to – Not holding grudges, praying, loving people, making things and living clean.
Mary passed away on October 16 2019, aged 114 years, 240 days, survived by her daughter and grand, great and great-great grandchildren. Retroactively, she is considered the Oldest Living American from the death of Lessie Brown on January 8 2019 until her death. Mary is also considered the oldest person ever from the State of Kentucky. She was also the sixth oldest person in the world before her passing and one of the last four American’s born in 1905.
Mary’s validation process was somewhat complex, but has now been completed. Interestingly, her mother, Lossie Hopkins, claimed to be 114 at death in 1999. On examination of her records, it seems likely she was actually 109 years, 204 days at death – born July 26 1889, passing away February 15 1999. This gives a combined age of mother and daughter of 224 years, 79 days.
Congratulations go to her family on her validation, as well as those who worked on her case at the GRG.
https://www.adporters.com/obituaries/Mary-Long-31/#!/Obituary
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