It is a blessing to make it to 116 years old.<\/p>\n
Susannah Mushatt Jones<\/strong> passed away Thursday night [May 12] at her senior housing in Brooklyn, New York at 116. Jones was the last living American who survived the 19th century and held the reign of the oldest living person since April 1, 2015, when Misao Okawa <\/a>died last year at 117 years.<\/p>\n
She also had a special admiration for children, said her niece Lois Judge<\/strong> in an interview with the Associated Press last year. Although she did not have any of her own, after moving to New York she collaborated with people she graduated from high school with to start a scholarship fund for young Black girls. Jones was still very active up until her early 100’s and beloved in her community; they called her “Miss Susie”.<\/a><\/p>\n