Supercentenarian Profile

Jean Christy

Born:

1904-08-20

Waynesville, North Carolina

United States

Died:

2016-05-28

Murphy, North Carolina

United States

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Mary Ellen Jean Christy was an American supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Jean Christy was born in Waynesville, North Carolina, USA, on 20 August 1904. Her parents were Thomas J. Christy and Cora Bryson. She had seven siblings: Cornelia, John, Harold, Ralph, Aurelia, Gladys, and Rogers.

She was a devoted and active member of Andrews United Methodist Church for most of her life. After graduating from high school, she attended Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia, and earned her degree in 1928. She then began her teaching career in Virginia and North Carolina. Committed to lifelong learning, she pursued further education by taking summer courses in California and Wisconsin. Jean went on to teach high school English and Social Studies at Andrews High School for many years, retiring in 1970.

In recognition of her lasting impact on the community, the road leading to Andrews Elementary School—formerly Walnut Street, just across from the high school—was renamed Jean Christy Avenue in 2016.

Jean Christy passed away in Murphy, North Carolina, on 28 May 2016, at the age of 111 years, 282 days.

RECOGNITION

On 19 March 2016, following the passing of Foy Ingram, she became the oldest known living person in North Carolina. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Ruby Clodfelter.

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 16 May 2016. The validation was later recognized by LongeviQuest.