| Ophelia Burks | |
 Burks (aged 114) in October 2017 | |
| Birth: | 25 October 1903 Haughton, Louisiana, USA |
| Death: | 27 September 2018 Haughton, Louisiana, USA |
| Age: | 114 years, 337 days |
| Country: |  USA
|
| Validated | |
Ophelia Burks (née Williams; 25 October 1903 – 27 September 2018) 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 living person in the United States.
Biography
Ophelia Burks was born in Haughton, Bossier Parish, Louisiana, USA on 25 October 1903. Her parents were Frank Williams and Mary Ann Hartman. She never graduated from the primary school as her family didn't have enough money to buy school supplies for each of their children. She had three brothers and eight sisters (all deceased as of 2004). She started going to church at the age of 11. She married a local farmer, Prince Burks. He died in 1989 at the age of 94.
Burks claimed having worked for 50 cents a day during the Great Depression. She came from a long-lived family. Allegedly, her grandmother lived to be 120. The grandmother, who was of Native American ancestry, didn't speak English and Ophelia couldn't understand her language.
Burks had five children, including Autrey, Dorothy, Bernice, and Marie.
Recognition and Death
Following the death of Delphine Gibson on 9 May 2018, Burks became the oldest validated living person in the USA.
Burks died in Haughton, Louisiana, USA, on 27 September 2018, at the age of 114 years, 337 days. Following her death, Lessie Brown became the oldest living person in the USA.
Burks was the last known surviving person in the USA born in 1903, and is also the oldest validated person ever from the U.S. state of Louisiana.
Burks's age was verified by Robert Young, Waclaw Jan Kroczek, Johnnie Johnson, Shirley Johns, Anri Kusaku, and Oliver Trim, and validated by the GRG on 7 January 2020.
Gallery
References
- Historical validations by the Gerontology Research Group Gerontology Research Group
- Photo Gallery for Supercentenarians born in the year 1903 Gerontology Research Group
- Interview with Mrs. Ophelia Burks Bossier Parish Central Library Historical Center, 10 August 2004
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ARE AUNTIE O. WILLIAMS 114 YEARS OLD LOVE YOU TO THE MOON Facebook (better source needed)
- Aunt Ophelia is "Alive and Well" at 114 years old!!! Facebook
- Mrs. Ophelia Williams Burks Obituary Tributes