BIOGRAPHY

Hosea Peeples was born in Holcomb, Grenada County, Mississippi, USA, on 3 February 1901 (claimed 1900), to parents Thomas and Sally Person. Her mother was reportedly white, and her father was African-American. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and traveled by wagon to services at New Tuscahoma AME Church in Holcomb.

In 1926, she followed her sister to Chicago and found work in the steel mills. She sent part of her earnings back to her parents to support them with their farm. In 1934, she married Genry Peeples and remained married for 50 years, until her husband’s passing in 1985. She retired from her job in 1961.

After moving to Chicago, she joined Grant Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church and continued attending even as a supercentenarian. She also sang in the choir. She attributed her longevity to God’s will, saying, “This is only by the grace of God. There’s no magic potion. I eat just like you.”

Hosea Peeples passed away in Chicago, Illinois, on 20 November 2012, at the age of 111 years, 291 days.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Eli Logan and Jimmy Lindberg, and validated by LongeviQuest on 1 October 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Woman On The South Side Of Chicago Celebrates Her 112th Birthday” – BlackLikeMoi, 22 February 2012

* “South Sider lived to 112” – Chicago Sun-Times, 20 December 2012

GALLERY