Tag: Virginia

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.

On her 103rd birthday in 1968. (Source: On her 101st birthday in 1966. (Source: Syracuse Herald American)
On her 103rd birthday in 1968.
(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.

LongeviQuest is delighted to announce that Virginia’s (U.S. State) oldest living person turned 111 years old. Virginia Jefferson is an American supercentenarian born on 14 August 1912 in Forest, Bedford County, Virginia, USA.

In April 1938, Virginia married Malcolm Jefferson who later died in May 2008. She learned how to play the piano by herself, and used to sing at the church she used to attend since she was young. Lately, she is a devoted member of the Forest Church, where she attributes her longevity to God.

On her 110th birthday in August 2022. (Source: Youtube/NABJ Black News & Views)
On her 110th birthday in August 2022.
(Source: Youtube/NABJ Black News & Views)

Virginia Jefferson currently resides in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA.

For more information, please view Virginia Jefferson’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Mary Marsh of the United States. She was born in on . Mrs. Marsh was the second of nine siblings. She grew up on a 129-acre farm where her family raised tomatoes for a local canning factory.

On her 110th birthday. (Source: WSET)
On her 110th birthday.
(Source: WSET)

At the age of 14, she joined and served at Shady Grove Baptist Church until she was 18. Afterward, she became a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg. Mrs. Marsh also went to night school to take refresher courses in reading, writing, arithmetic, and English to become a bookkeeper. This is where she met her husband, Osby Edgar Marsh. The couple had three children, while also raising one of her nephews as her own child.

At the age of 105, she was still working in her small garden, still was still able to do canning, cooking, and sewing. When asked about the secret of her longevity, she attributed it to: “The Lord, my family, hard work, and good homegrown food…”.

Mrs. Marsh passed away on at the age of 110 years, 332 days. She was survived by her daughter, eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-granddaughter.

LongeviQuest congratulates Mrs. Marsh’s family on her posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Mrs. Marsh’s Directory Profile here.