Detroit-area woman, 1 of the oldest people on the planet, marks her 115th birthday
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
A Detroit-area woman, a member of a select group of the living to have been born in the 19th century, is celebrating a birthday on Friday.
Her 115th.
Jeralean Talley, who was born May 23, 1899, went fishing last year and still gets around on her own with the help of a walker.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The Inkster resident plans to celebrate with family and friends at a local church on Sunday.
On her actual birthday — Friday — Talley is going to the doctor for a checkup, although she says she doesn't feel sick.
But Talley's knees occasionally hurt, her right hand shakes, she has a hard time hearing and her memory comes and goes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Her answer as to why she has lived so long hasn't changed over the years.
"It's all in the good Lord's hands," Talley told the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/1r0fdRL ). "There's nothing I can do about it."
Talley is the oldest-living American and the second-oldest person in the world, according to a list maintained by the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks the world's longest-living people.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
The Gerontology Research Group verified Talley's age using census data. Japan resident Misao Okawa, 116, tops the list.
Talley, whose husband died in 1988, is cared for by a 76-year-old daughter who lives with her.
Five generations of the family are living in the area, including a great-great-grandson.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
___
Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com