World's Oldest Woman Celebrates Her 116th Birthday in Church: "A Person Can Never, Ever Pray Enough!"

Komfie Manalo : Jun 16, 2015
The Gospel Herald

The devout centenarian still lives in her own home and even plans on going fishing this summer.

(Detroit, MI)—Jeralean Talley, the world's oldest woman, celebrated her 116th birthday on Saturday. But Talley, from Inkster, Detroit will have another birthday celebration on Sunday at her church, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist, reported NBC Chicago. (Photo via Gospel Herald)

Talley's birthday weekend began on Thursday, with a special greeting from President Barack Obama who sent his "warmest wishes" to the world's oldest woman, said Freep.com.

The president said in his letter to Talley, "The breadth of your experiences and depth of your wisdom reflect the long path our Nation has traveled since 1899. During this time, there have been setbacks and breakthroughs, false starts and improbable victories, and through it all our country's spirit has endured—strengthened and enriched by each generation."

Also on Thursday, the Michigan Department of Health on Human Services office in Inkster gave Talley a $116, or a dollar for every year of her life.

Asked about her secret to achieve long life, Talley said there's no secret but added, "There's nothing I can do about it."

Talley's godson, 21-year-old Tyler Kinloch who fishes with her said, "Her No. 1 rule is to treat people how you want to be treated. I definitely carry that with me every single day."

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