Celma Birdsall | |
Birth: | 24 July 1908 Hampton, Iowa, USA |
Death: | 17 August 2018 Ottumwa, Iowa, USA |
Age: | 110 years, 24 days |
Country: | USA |
Validated |
Celma Ann "Sally" Birdsall (née Beed; 24 July 1908 – 17 August 2018) was an American supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group.
Biography[]
Celma Ann Beed was born in Hampton, Iowa, USA, on 24 July 1908. Her parents were Henry Otis and Grace Ross Beed. After graduating high school, she attended college for one year and then began teaching in a rural country school outside Hampton. She taught for four years before going to work for Earl Ferris Nursery in Hampton, Iowa. She married Kenneth Ray Birdsall on 26 May 1932 in Hampton. The couple started a family and moved to a farm outside Floris, Iowa in 1948, before moving in to the city in 1960.
In 1950, Birdsall became the Postmaster in Floris and held that position until her retirement in 1978. After retiring, she and her husband travelled to many Postmaster conventions throughout the United States, with trips to Hawaii, Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Puerto Rico. While not working, she enjoyed playing the piano, working jigsaw puzzles, and doing crosswords. She also attended the Floris Baptist Church.
In her later years, Birdsall lived in a nursing home in Ottumwa, Iowa. She celebrated her 106th birthday by travelling from Denver to California in the back of a 1938 Ford, and celebrated her 107th birthday by riding on the back of a motorcycle. Celma Birdsall died in Ottumwa, Iowa, USA, on 17 August 2018 at the age of 110 years, 24 days.
References[]
- 2019 validations Gerontology Research Group
- Ottumwa resident still up for adventure at 106 years old KTVO, 24 July 2014
- Woman celebrates 107th birthday with motorcycle ride KTVO, 28 July 2015
- Birdsall celebrates 109 years Ottumwa Courier, 21 July 2017
- Celma Birdsall Obituary