Age never deterred Mamie Rearden.
The 114-year-old Edgefield, South Carolina woman, who was the oldest living American when she died Wednesday at a Georgia hospital, got her driver's license at the tender age of 65, or nearly 40 years ago, and rejoined the workforce at 70.
When she died, Rearden was more than a year younger than the world's oldest person, 115-year-old Jiroemon Kimura, who is still going strong in Japan.
'She lived a full, beautiful and inspirational life,' reportedly reads her obituary, published in a South Carolina newspaper.
Rearden, who relatives say broke her hip in a fall three weeks ago, became the oldest American after Dina Manfredini, 115, of Iowa died last month.
Robert Young of the Gerontology Research Group said Rearden's September 1898 birth was recorded in the 1900 U.S. Census.
Rearden counts 10 surviving children, as well as nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, six step grandchildren, a host of step great grandchildren and too many nieces, nephews, and friends to count.
In addition to her six surviving sons and four surviving daughters, Rearden also had one son, John Wilson, who died before her.
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TXT 24
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