Jeralean Talley celebrates 116th birthday as oldest person alive

INKSTER – It won't be easy fitting this many candles on one cake.

She was 4-years-old when Ford Motor Company was formed and the Wright brothers took their first flight.

Jeralean Talley, of Inkster, has held the honor of being the oldest person alive since April and celebrates her 116th birthday Saturday.

"Okay," said Talley. "I feel okay."

A party was thrown in her honor at Gracie See Pastaria on Michigan Avenue in Inkster and Talley arrived in a limousine.

"It's truly amazing, mind boggling in a way," said Frank Costello of Gracie See Pastaria. "God love her, God bless her."

Talley was born May 23, 1899.

Talley's husband died in 1988 and she has seen five generations of her family grow up in the Detroit area.

The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group maintains the list and tracks the world's longest-living people.

Local 4 wishes Jaralean Talley a very happy birthday and hopes for many more to come.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.