BIOGRAPHY

Tressa Bartholomew was born in Warren County, Iowa, USA, on 30 March 1905. Her parents were William Albert Epps (1877–1966) and Bertha Mae Huff (1882–1973). She had five siblings: Benjamin Franklin (1901–1984), Faye Marie Buck (1903–2002), Merle Edgar (1911–1992), Albert (1921–1923), and Phyllis Arlene Mason (1923–2017). She attended the one-room Scotch Ridge Schoolhouse. In seventh grade, her parents bought her first piano—a $300 mahogany instrument. She took piano lessons at the historic Randleman House.

During her junior year, Bartholomew left school, where she had first met her future husband, Grant Elyle Bartholomew (1902–1965). They got married in 1924, and later had four children, Newton (1925–1999), Mariglee, Avis (1929–1989), and Joyce. Tressa was a dedicated homemaker who spent her entire life in central Iowa. She was a longtime member of the Missionary Baptist Church in Carlisle, where her love of music shone through as she played piano for Sunday school for many years.

Tressa Bartholomew passed away in Carlisle, Iowa, on 5 February 2017, at the age of 111 years, 312 days. She was survived by 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 52 great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 111-year-old Emma Hough on 18 June 2016, she became the oldest living person in Iowa.

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 1 February 2017. The validation was later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Iowa’s oldest resident dies” – The Des Moines Register, 6 February 2017

* Tressa Myrtle Bartholomew Obituary – Peterson Funeral Service

* Tressa Myrtle Epps Bartholomew – Find A Grave

GALLERY