Health & Medicine

115-Year-Old Michigan Resident Oldest Living in America

Kathleen Lees
First Posted: May 26, 2014 07:20 PM EDT

For Jeralean Talley, the secret to a long life is simple. Trust in God.

"I asked Him, I said, 'You know my will and this is your will.' ... And so far my prayers have been answered and I'm satisfied," she said, via USA Today.

On May 23, the Inkster, Mich., resident celebrated her 115th birthday. Talley, originally from Montrose, Ga., is believed to be the oldest person living in the United States and the second oldest person in the world.

"It's all in the good Lord's hands," Talley added in regards to her age, via CBS Detroit. "Talley's knees occasionally hurt, her right hand shakes, she has a hard time hearing and her memory comes and goes."

Yet God may not be the only thing that's kept Talley healthy into her old age. She also doesn't care to drink too much, either.

"I don't drink beer or whiskey. I might take a swallow of wine."

Talley's age was verified by the Gerontolgy Research Group census data as the second oldest living person next to Misao Okawa, who is 116. 

Her husband died in 1988. She is cared for by her 76-year-old daughter who lives with her. Five generations of family are also living in the area, including a great-great-grandson. 

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