| Lenara Carey | |
 Lenara Carey on her 110th birthday in 2020. | |
| Validated |
Lenara "Lenora" Carey (née Ferebee Williams; 16 September 1910 – 22 August 2022) was an American supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). At the time of her death, she was the oldest known person living in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Lenara Carey was born to Mickinley and Julia Ferebee Williams in North Carolina, USA on 16 September 1910. She attended the Gregart School until the fourth grade, and loved to participate in spelling bees. After reaching the fourth grade, she started to work as a seamstress so she could support herself and her brother.
In 1926, Carey moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one year after the Benjamin Franklin Bridge was completed. Carey decided to live in North Philadelphia, where there were plenty of opportunities for an experienced seamstress. She worked for the Nanette Factory until her retirement. She also provided child care for mothers with little income.
In 1943, Carey joined the Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia under the pastorate of Reverend F. H. Butler, continuing her membership until her death in August 2022. She said that Sunday was the longest day of the week if she didn’t attend church. She transported children to Sunday school for many years.
In 1946, she married Carrigan Carey. Although the couple didn’t have children of their own, they helped to raise many children on Opal Street, as well as in nearby neighborhoods.
Later Life and Death[]
Starting in 1959, Carey organized and supervised the North Philadelphia Sunshine Juniors, a group of children who rendered service to the sick and shut-in through acts of kindness. She was an active member of the Helping Hand Club until it became defunct in the 1980s.
Carey received numerous awards and honors, including letters from the President of the United States, mayors of Philadelphia, members of the Philadelphia City Council, and members of several church organizations.
Carey loved to read. She taught her neighbors on Opal Street, including her brother, how to sign their names.
Carey also enjoyed traveling. Some places she traveled to included her native state, North Carolina, Richmond, Virginia, and Canada.
In September 2020, Carey celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian.
Lenara Carey died at a nursing home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on 22 August 2022, at the age of 111 years, 340 days, just 25 days short of her 112th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband Carrigan Carey, and was survived by her cousins (Annie Leonard and Eva Gallop), as well as many other family members and friends.
Gallery[]
References[]
- 110th birthday Twitter Post, 16 September 2020
- 110th birthday Facebook Post, 17 September 2020
- United States Public Records FamilySearch
- Lenora Carey, a retired seamstress, dies at 111 The Philadelphia Tribune, 2 September 2022