Pearl M. Hampton of New Smyrna Beach died Friday.
"We just thank the Lord we had as many years with her as we did," said Hampton's great-niece and namesake Pearl Graham of Edgewater. "We're going to miss her; she was a great lady.
"She was the oldest living person in the state of Florida with a verified birthday," Graham said.
Worldwide, there are 86 living supercentenarians -- anyone 110 or older -- according to the Gerontology Research Group. Hampton didn't quite make the top-10 list of oldest people in the United States, who are all between the ages of 112 and 115.
Born Oct. 14, 1897, Hampton marveled at all the changes she saw during her lifetime, her great-niece said.
"She lived in New York, and was very proud to work in stores when there were very few black employees," Graham said. "It meant so much for her to see the progress of blacks in America. She was elated (when Barack Obama was elected president). She never believed she would live long enough to see a black man elected president."
Though Hampton never achieved higher education, she encouraged the younger members of her family to do so. "She knew this was very important," Graham said.
Hampton loved people, and people migrated to her, Graham said.
"She was the perfect hostess," she said. "People loved to be around her. Even people she met before she went into the nursing home (Ocean View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center), Meals on Wheels people, they all continued their friendships with her."
Besides Graham, other survivors include great-nieces Evelyn Jenkins, New Smyrna Beach, and Daisy Jones, Tampa; and a great-nephew, Douglas Ohara, Tampa.
Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home is in charge.
julie.murphy@news-jrnl.com
© 2009 News-Journal Corporation
May 16, 2009
USA: Florida Supercentenarian Dies at 111
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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida / News-Journal Online / May 16, 2009
New Smyrna Beach woman dies at 111
By Julie Murphy, Staff Writer
Though she lived a long time -- 111 years -- her family wanted her a little bit longer.
Pearl M. Hampton of New Smyrna Beach died Friday.
"We just thank the Lord we had as many years with her as we did," said Hampton's great-niece and namesake Pearl Graham of Edgewater. "We're going to miss her; she was a great lady.
"She was the oldest living person in the state of Florida with a verified birthday," Graham said.
Worldwide, there are 86 living supercentenarians -- anyone 110 or older -- according to the Gerontology Research Group. Hampton didn't quite make the top-10 list of oldest people in the United States, who are all between the ages of 112 and 115.
Born Oct. 14, 1897, Hampton marveled at all the changes she saw during her lifetime, her great-niece said.
"She lived in New York, and was very proud to work in stores when there were very few black employees," Graham said. "It meant so much for her to see the progress of blacks in America. She was elated (when Barack Obama was elected president). She never believed she would live long enough to see a black man elected president."
Though Hampton never achieved higher education, she encouraged the younger members of her family to do so. "She knew this was very important," Graham said.
Hampton loved people, and people migrated to her, Graham said.
"She was the perfect hostess," she said. "People loved to be around her. Even people she met before she went into the nursing home (Ocean View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center), Meals on Wheels people, they all continued their friendships with her."
Besides Graham, other survivors include great-nieces Evelyn Jenkins, New Smyrna Beach, and Daisy Jones, Tampa; and a great-nephew, Douglas Ohara, Tampa.
Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home is in charge.
julie.murphy@news-jrnl.com
© 2009 News-Journal Corporation
Pearl M. Hampton of New Smyrna Beach died Friday.
"We just thank the Lord we had as many years with her as we did," said Hampton's great-niece and namesake Pearl Graham of Edgewater. "We're going to miss her; she was a great lady.
"She was the oldest living person in the state of Florida with a verified birthday," Graham said.
Worldwide, there are 86 living supercentenarians -- anyone 110 or older -- according to the Gerontology Research Group. Hampton didn't quite make the top-10 list of oldest people in the United States, who are all between the ages of 112 and 115.
Born Oct. 14, 1897, Hampton marveled at all the changes she saw during her lifetime, her great-niece said.
"She lived in New York, and was very proud to work in stores when there were very few black employees," Graham said. "It meant so much for her to see the progress of blacks in America. She was elated (when Barack Obama was elected president). She never believed she would live long enough to see a black man elected president."
Though Hampton never achieved higher education, she encouraged the younger members of her family to do so. "She knew this was very important," Graham said.
Hampton loved people, and people migrated to her, Graham said.
"She was the perfect hostess," she said. "People loved to be around her. Even people she met before she went into the nursing home (Ocean View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center), Meals on Wheels people, they all continued their friendships with her."
Besides Graham, other survivors include great-nieces Evelyn Jenkins, New Smyrna Beach, and Daisy Jones, Tampa; and a great-nephew, Douglas Ohara, Tampa.
Gainous-Wynn Funeral Home is in charge.
julie.murphy@news-jrnl.com
© 2009 News-Journal Corporation
