Ellen Cagle

BIOGRAPHY

Cagle was born in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, USA, on 30 October 1891, to parents John Robert Farley (1850–1923) and Mary Frances Youngblood (1842–1937). She was the youngest of eight siblings. She had four brothers and three sisters, including Bee Farley (1873–1937), Sarah Keedy (1875–1956), Tommy Allen Farley (1876–1944), Hester Owensby (1886–1983), and Richard Alexander “Dick” Farley (1889–1971). In her youth, she worked in the fields, planting and picking cotton.

On 1 March 1912, at the age of 20, she married Dover Cagle (1887–1966). The couple had five children: Cecil Johnson (1919–2005), Rita Lockhart, Johnny Cagle (1917–1999), Paul Cagle (1924–2012), and Clyde Cagle.

Even as a centenarian, she continued to be a fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team and was recognized as their oldest fan on her 104th birthday. When asked about the secret of her longevity at the time, she replied: “God has let me live all these years. If you read your Bible, it tells you to honor thy father and mother and keep God’s word and you will have a long life.” She also mentioned that she had never consumed a Coke or a cup of coffee, only water and milk. She was still capable of reading late into the night, with the Bible being her favorite book, and enjoyed watching TV as well.

On her 106th birthday, she had 35 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, who resided in various states, including Delaware, Illinois, and Michigan. At the time, it was reported that she was in good health, despite experiencing some back problems and having poor eyesight and hearing. She relied on a walker for mobility, but she managed her visits to the doctor and occasional shopping trips.

Cagle passed away in Dunlap, Tennessee, USA, on 9 February 2002, at the age of 110 years, 102 days.