World's oldest person marks 115th birthday in Ga.

[August 27, 2011]  MONROE, Ga. (AP) -- About 15 to 20 friends and relatives have gathered in Georgia to celebrate the birthday of Besse Cooper, who is listed as the world's oldest person.

Cooper turned 115 Friday.

Her daughter-in-law Edith Cooper said the group gathered at a Monroe nursing home, where Besse Cooper enjoyed two small slivers of her birthday cake and nodded with approval as musician Mike Cronic sang "Tennessee Waltz."

Cooper was born in Tennessee and moved to Georgia during World War I to find work as a teacher. She has 12 grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Luther, died in 1963.

Cooper was declared the world's oldest in January. In May, Guinness learned that Maria Gomes Valentin of Brazil was 48 days older. Valentin died June 21.

[Associated Press]

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