BIOGRAPHY

Jones was born in Bermondsey, a town in England’s capital city of London, on 7 December 1899. Her fiancé, Albert Rees, was killed in action during World War I. She never married, turning down any subsequent proposals, opting instead to take care of her siblings and ailing mother.

Jones was first employed at a biscuit factory before becoming a seamstress. After the end of World War II, she worked for the government until her retirement in the early 1960s. She was a lifelong devout Christian.

Five days before Jones’ 112th birthday, a thief stole her £300 pension. An attempted robbery took place the following day, leaving Jones frightened. A month after her 112th birthday, a third break-in happened, perpetrated by 46-year-old Jesse Coker, who stole her purse and several personal items. Coker was caught and sentenced to four years and five months imprisonment in July 2012.

On her 113th birthday, Jones claimed the secret to her longevity was not eating frozen food, eating “good, English food.” She died on 14 November 2013 aged 113 years, 342 days, after suffering a fall a few weeks prior.

RECOGNITION

Jones’ age was verified by Melissa Page and validated by the GRG on 20 February 2010.

Following the 29 February 2012 death of Violet Wood, Jones became the UK’s oldest resident and the last in the country born in the 1800s. Upon her own death, the title passed to Ethel Lang, then 113.

As a supercentenarian, Jones was often visited by her local MP, Liberal Democrat Simon Hughes.

ATTRIBUTION

• Britain’s oldest woman, 112, burgled by thug who tricked his way into her London home Evening Standard, 4 July 2012

• Oldest person in Britain celebrates her 113th birthday Daily Record, 8 December 2012

• Grace Jones, Britain’s Oldest Person, Celebrates Christmas Huffington Post, 25 December 2012

GALLERY