Naomi Whitehead
Naomi Whitehead | |
|---|---|
| Born | Naomi Washington September 26, 1910 (age 115 years, 174 days) Georgia, U.S. |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse |
Sylvester Whitehead
(m. 1930; died 1979) |
| Children | 3 (all deceased) |
Naomi Washington Whitehead[1] (née Washington; born September 26, 1910) is an American supercentenarian who has been the oldest living person in the United States since the death of Elizabeth Francis on October 22, 2024 and the world's second oldest living person since the death of Marie-Rose Tessier on February 10, 2026.[2]
Biography
Naomi Washington was born on September 26, 1910 of African American descent in rural Georgia to Douglas and Pauline (née Young) Washington, where she grew up on a farm picking cotton and tobacco.[3] She lived in Patterson, Georgia, in her youth with her older siblings Douglas Jr., Clarence, Ellen and Viola.[4]
Whitehead, of West Salem in Mercer County, part of Greater Pittsburgh, has stated that she never smoked or drank alcohol. She told reporters, "I'll live as long as the Lord lets me."[5] Whitehead lives at St. Paul's Senior Living Community in Greenville, Pennsylvania.[1][6]
Personal life
In 1930, Washington married Sylvester Whitehead (1908–1979).[7][8] They had three sons:[7] Sylvester Jr. (1931–2004),[9] Parrish L. (1933–2011)[10] and Elbert T. (1935–2006).[11]
References
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday times 115!". The Blackshear Times. September 23, 2025.
- ^ "World Supercentenarian Rankings List". Gerontology Research Group. March 29, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ McMunn, Andrew (October 24, 2024). "Naomi Whitehead becomes oldest living person in US after previous record-holder dies at 115". WAGM-TV. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Year: 1920; Census Place: Patterson, Pierce, Georgia; Roll: T625_274; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 141
- ^ "Pennsylvania woman now believed to be oldest living person in North America". KDKA-TV. November 1, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Kroczek, Wacław Jan (October 24, 2024). "Naomi Whitehead, 114, recognized as the Oldest Living Person in the USA". Gerontology Research Group.
- ^ a b Maglov, Stefan (September 26, 2025). "Naomi Whitehead, Oldest Living American, Turns 115". LongeviQuest.
- ^ "U.S., Social Security Death Index: Sylvester Whitehead". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "U.S., Social Security Death Index: Sylvester Whitehead Jr". Ancestry.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Maglov, Stefan (October 23, 2024). "114-year-old Naomi Whitehead Becomes the Oldest Living American". LongeviQuest. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ "Elbert T. Whitehead". The Herald. May 8, 2006. Retrieved October 29, 2024.