Arkansas woman now world's oldest person, wants Obama visit

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas woman who became the world's oldest person Wednesday wants President Barack Obama to attend her 117th birthday party this Fourth of July.

At 116, Gertrude Weaver was already the oldest person in America. With the death of 117-year-old Misao Okawa in Japan, Weaver became the world's oldest person, according to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which tracks supercentenarians.

Staff at the Silver Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center in Camden, about 100 miles southwest of Little Rock, said Weaver was inundated by television crews and other visitors Wednesday.

Weaver, a former domestic worker in private homes and mother of four children, has experienced a lot in her 116 years, Center Administrator Kathy Langley said. But she still has one dream she would like to realize.

"She really wants to meet the president. She's voted for him twice now and it's just her lifelong dream," Langley said. "We sent him an invitation to come to her birthday party last year, and we will send him another one this year."

Weaver is in good health, Langley said, and attributes her longevity to treating others well.

"They're just a wonderful family, very loving," Langley said. "She has a granddaughter and a grandson who are in their 70s and who live in town, and they are here all the time visiting with her along with many other family members."



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