LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Alice Coles at 113 years old. She was an American supercentenarian posthumously recognized as the former world’s oldest living person.
Alice Coles was born on 28 August 1865 in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. She was born as Alice Flannagan to freed slave parents who chose to remain on the plantation. At the young age of 9, she had already begun working in knitting and other small tasks to help her family. However, due to poor health conditions, she was often rejected by people when applying for a job.
At some point in her life, she married a gardener named Ladwell Coles and the couple had six children together. Mr. Coles later died in 1910 leaving Alice to take care of their children alone.
(Source: On her 101st birthday in 1966.
(Source: Syracuse Herald American)
When she was 97 years old, Alice moved into a nursing home. Four years later, at 101 years old, the memories of her father faded away, but her memory of her mother stayed in her mind.
Alice Coles passed away on 5 November 1978 in Syracuse, New York, USA. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in the world at age 113 years and 69 days. She was survived by one daughter, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.
For more information, please view Alice Coles’ Directory Profile here.