Long Journey...114 Years

Mamie Julia Reardean was a southern African American woman that passed away at the age of 114 on Jaunary 2, 2013 she was born September 7, 1898. I thought this was fascinating and beautiful that she was able to live such a long fulfilling life. Mamie was a supercenterian at the time of her death she was who, upon her death at the age of 114 years and 117 days, was the world's 4th oldest living person, the oldest living American, and the oldest living person of African descent.





Telling Her Story: Rearden was born on September 7, 1898, in Edgefield, South Carolina, where she was raised and lived all her life, her daughter said. She was a school teacher early in life, but after getting married and starting a family she left the job to become a homemaker, and went on to have 11 children in all. She obtained her first driver's license at age 65, and at about the same time became a case worker for an anti-poverty program, according to her daughter. Her husband, Oacy Rearden, died in 1979 at the age of 88. She was a devout Southern Baptist.

 Rearden received her education at Bettis Academy Junior College, Log Creek Community School.


Longevity milestones

July 15, 2012, Mamie Rearden aged 113 years 312 days entered the list of the 100 oldest people ever.

September 7, 2012, Mamie Rearden became the 91st person in history to reach age 114.

December 4, 2012 Besse Cooper died, Mamie Rearden aged 114 years 88 days became the oldest living person that was born in the United States.

December 10, 2012, Mamie Rearden became one of the 70 verified oldest people ever.

December 17, 2012 Dina Manfredini died, Mamie Rearden aged 114 years 101 days became the oldest living American.

January 2, 2013 Mamie Rearden died, age 114 years 117 days as the last American born in 1898.

Toni Thoughts: If that  was my grandmother I would have so many questions to ask her. She lived through so much history and since she was from the South that makes this story even more special. She has seen it all the social and political movements  as well as challenges African Americans had to face.