Bertha Davis

BIOGRAPHY

Bertha Davis was born in Fulton Township, Gratiot County, Michigan, USA, on 22 December 1881. Her parents were Oliver N. Chaffin (1853–1933) and Loelda Laycock (1859–1944). She had at least eight siblings. She moved to the Jackson area after marrying Floyd P. Davis (1885–1975) in 1908. Together they had one daughter, Mildred Cope. Over the years, her family grew to include two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Longevity ran in her family. One of her aunts lived to be 100, and several of her sisters passed away in their 90s. Another sister, Bina Leota Orton (1894–1999), lived to the age of 104.

At 107, she lived in Jackson with her daughter and son-in-law. Though she used a cane to get around and had some hearing loss, she remained remarkably active. She continued to read the newspaper, magazines, and her Bible, watched her favorite soap operas and game shows, and faithfully followed the Detroit Tigers. In fact, at age 101, she was honored by the team with an invitation to throw out the first pitch at a game during the 1983 season. The team gave her the game ball and later sent her another, signed by all the players.

Even in her centenarian years, she regularly traveled to her winter home in Florida. However, at 107, it was reported that she missed her trip the previous year due to a heart attack.

Bertha Davis passed away in Jackson, Michigan, on 27 September 1992, at the age of 110 years, 280 days.

RECOGNITION

On 2 March 1992, following the passing of Florence Potts, she became the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Michigan.

Her age was verified by I.L. (anonymous), Jimmy Lindberg, and Eli Logan, and validated by LongeviQuest on 27 June 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* Bertha Chaffin Davis – Find A Grave

* “107 candles” – Jackson Citizen Patriot, 22 December 1988

* “I feel good for my age” – Jackson Citizen Patriot, 22 December 1991

GALLERY

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