Naomi Whitehead, the oldest known living person in the USA, celebrates her 116th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Naomi Whitehead (née Washington), the oldest known living person in the USA, celebrated her 116th birthday in Greenville, Pennsylvania, on 26 September 2026.
Naomi Whitehead was born as Naomi Washington in Patterson, Georgia, USA on 26 September 1910, embarking on a life journey that included the following key points:
She entered into matrimony with Sylvester Whitehead in the 1930s and together they were blessed with three sons: Parrish L. (1933–2011), Elbert, and Sylvester Jr.
In 2011, she experienced the loss of her last surviving son while residing in Sharon, Pennsylvania.
On 26 September 2020, Naomi Whitehead celebrated her 110th birthday, a momentous occasion that marked her entry into supercentenarian status. At that time, she was the proud matriarch of a large and growing family, boasting 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 49 great-great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-great-grandchildren.
Throughout her remarkable life, Naomi has cultivated various hobbies, including cooking, baking, drawing, listening to music, and sharing captivating stories. Her grandniece, Gwendolyn Smith, attested that Naomi has been a source of previously unheard family stories.
On 22 August 2022, following the death of 111-year-old Lenara Carey, she became the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
On 17 March 2023, her age was officially validated by the GRG, verified by Robert Young, Dr. Wacław Jan Kroczek, Ilias Leivaditis, and Oliver Trim.
On 22 October 2024, following the death of 115-year-old Elizabeth Francis of Texas, she became the oldest known living person in the USA.
On 26 September 2026, she celebrated her 116th birthday, making the first known American to reach 116 since the death of Edie Ceccarelli of California on 22 February 2024.
Naomi Whitehead currently lives at St. Paul’s Senior Living Community in Greenville, Pennsylvania, USA at the age of 116.
The GRG extends warm congratulations to Mrs. Naomi Whitehead on her 116th birthday.
LINKS
1. The oldest living American, Naomi Whitehead, just turned 116
2. Happy birthday to Naomi Whitehead! The OLDEST LIVING American turns 116 (Facebook post)