BIOGRAPHY

Mitchell was born as Agatha Wright in Buckingham County, Virginia, officially on 26 March 1887 – she claimed 13 March. She was the eldest of six children born to Archer “Archie” Wright. During her youth, she lived in the Oak Hill community, becoming a devoted member of its Baptist church.

Mitchell had four sisters and one brother; she would assist in looking after them as well as helping with household chores. She married George Mitchell, who couldn’t pronounce her name so instead called her Martha. The couple had two daughters, Annie and Dorothy. She worked as a housekeeper for several families.

Mitchell smoked a cigarette once, later claiming it made her sick, hence she never smoked again. She also never drank alcohol.

At the time of her 113th birthday, Mitchell had 12 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 31 great-great-grandchildren. She lived with her younger daughter Dorothy, as she had outlived her elder daughter Annie. Her favourite dessert was reported to be cherry cobbler. All five of Mitchell’s siblings were still living as of 2000.

Mitchell died on 26 February 2001 at the age of 113 years, 336 days. She was the third-oldest person in the United States after Mary Anna Boone and Maud Farris-Luse.

RECOGNITION

In 1992, aged 105, Mitchell was named “Buckingham’s Best Grandma” after being entered into the contest by her granddaughter Julia Smith.

Mitchell became the oldest living African-American whose age has been validated upon the death of 113-year-old Frances Johns on 24 May 1999.

After surpassing the age of Judia Ward in mid-2000, Mitchell became the oldest person ever born in Virginia, a title she still holds as of 2023. Margaret Skeete, 115, remains the oldest person to die in the state.

Mitchell’s age was verified by the SSA Study and the Kestenbaum Study, and was posthumously validated by the GRG on 9 June 2003.

ATTRIBUTION

• Table B – Verified Supercentenarians Gerontology Research Group

• Agatha Wright Mitchell Find A Grave

• Buckingham’s Best Grandma Farmville Herald, 14 October 1992

GALLERY