Michigan Woman Is Now 'Oldest Person In The World'

Gertrude Weaver of Arkansas spent just five days as the 'Oldest Person In The World'. She stepped into the role last week when Japan's Misao Okawa (pictured) died at 117 years old.

Unfortunately, the title is never long lived, and Gertrude passed away yesterday at the age of 116, which leaves a Detroit area woman as the new reigning oldest person.Gertrude had big plans for her 117th birthday on July 4. She had invited the President to the festivities and was looking forward to meeting him, but it wasn't to be as she succumbed to her age Monday morning. (Exact cause of death is still unknow, but come on, she was 116!!!!!)

Gertrude had simple rules for a long life: 'Use a lot of skin moisturizer, treat everyone nice, love your neighbor and eat your own cooking. Don't eat at fast food places.'

The new 'World's Oldest Person' would appear to be Inkster resident Jeralean Talley, who still looks pretty healthy for 115. When contacted yesterday by the Detroit Free Press, she was alert and aware of her new position in the world.

"It's truly incredible because Ms. Talley is very aware of what's going on. Her mental state is very sharp," said Michael Kinloch, 56, of Canton, a GM engineer and longtime family friend of Talley's told the Free Press.

"It's unfortunate that other people passed away, but this has certainly elevated her. She's feeling no pain. She just can't get around like she used to," Kinloch said, who sat on a couch as he gestured to the walker that stood before Talley's easy chair.

Kinloch said he's looking forward to taking Talley, despite her advanced age, on their annual fishing trip.

"We go to a trout pond in Dexter," a community about 40 miles west of Detroit, Kinloch said. "She really likes that."

By the way, when you look at the World Gerentology Chart of the oldest living people, you have to scan down quite a bit before you find a man on it. The oldest living man is Sakari Momoi of Japan who is 112 years old.

In fact, 87 percent of the world's centenarians (those over 100) are female. Guys just don't have the patience.