Bessie Hendricks, the oldest living person in the country, passed away peacefully at the age of 115 on Wednesday. Bessie was born in 1907 and had lived through some of the most monumental events of the last hundred years including two World Wars, numerous political and social revolutions, as well as rapid advances in technology and transportation. She witnessed remarkable changes in almost every aspect of life while also holding fast to many cherished traditions and values. Bessie’s extraordinary longevity is a testament to her hard work, positive attitude, and deep faith in God which inspired everyone who knew her.
Last year Bessie was listed by the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group as the country’s oldest living person.
On her 110th birthday, she told Fort Dodge Messenger that the secret to a long and successful life is “hard work”.
She grew up and lived in Iowa, and spent her last days in a nursing home. She and her late husband Paul had 5 children, and she now leaves behind three children, 9 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and 42 great-grandchildren.
The Gerontology Research Group reports that Hendrick’s death leaves 114-year-old Edie Ceccarelli of California as the country’s oldest living person.