CAMDEN — Camden resident Gertrude Weaver, 116, is now the oldest person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group in Los Angeles.
According to an article from the Associated Press, Misao Okawa of Japan died of heart failure today at the Osaka nursing home in Tokyo just weeks after reaching her 117th birthday.
The article said that relatives and nursing home workers stood by Okawa’s side and praised Okawa before she stopped breathing for achieving such a long life.
Tomohiro Okada, an official at Osaka nursing home, said that Okawa “went so peacefully, as if she had just fallen asleep.”
Okawa was recognized as the world’s oldest person by Guinness World Records in 2013.
Regarding Weaver, she was born on July 4, 1898. She eclipsed 1,000,000 hours of life when she was 114 years old. She has received numerous awards and recognition - including a letter from the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, wishing Weaver a happy birthday.
Also, the African American Historical Commission of Camden Arkansas also presented Weaver with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pioneer in Civil Rights award for her community service and for being a symbol of the Civil Rights movement.
She was also recognized in 2013 for being the oldest African American woman of record in Ouachita County.
Weaver also has letters of acknowledgment from the California governor's office and the Los Angeles mayor’s office - areas where she lived for a period of time.
Weaver now resides at the Silver Oaks Health & Rehabilitation facility.
The Camden News spoke today with Silver Oaks Administrator Kathy Langley about Weaver's achievement, and Langley said that she is aware that Weaver is now the oldest living person in the world.
She added that she believes Weaver’s family has already informed Weaver of the latest developments regarding her position as the oldest person.
Langley said that a celebration to recognize Weaver is being planned.
“We certainly will celebrate her (Weaver),” Langley said. “I think she knows by now because her family is with her. We are definitely excited about this and happy to say that Weaver is still healthy and active.
"We are proud and honored to have her in our care and we thank her family for giving us the opportunity to have her with us.”