Oldest African American, 113, dies in Detroit

[Blue_Tires]

Daisey Bailey, believed to the oldest person of African descent in the world, died of organ failure at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on Sunday, 23 days before her 114th birthday.

Born in Watertown, Tenn., Ms. Bailey worked on a plantation, keeping house and chopping wood, but in 1943, she decided to move to metro Detroit , ultimately settling in Pontiac. She earned money by doing housework and baby-sitting.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, she was the world's fourth-oldest person and second-oldest American, though her family believes, despite not having documentation, that she was actually a year older.

Ms. Bailey, who later developed Alzheimer's, enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, listening to the blues, dancing and cooking. Among her favorite recipes were chicken and dressing, turnip greens and egg pies.

Her secret to longevity?

"Eat plenty of vegetables and take a little nip," her granddaughter Helen Arnold, who lived with her on Detroit's west side since 1989, said Monday.

Ms. Bailey's drink of choice was old bourbon.

Her relatives called her Mamie, because "she said she couldn't get no boyfriend if we called her Grandma," Arnold explained.

"She had a beautiful personality," Arnold said of Bailey. "She just loved people and she got along with everybody and she was a sweet person."

Her first and second husbands, Will Reedy and John Bailey, both predeceased her, as did her two sons, Robert and S.T. Reedy, and two daughters, Fannie Mai Feay and Frankie Brown.

In addition to Arnold, Ms. Bailey is survived by 79 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, 30 great-great-grandchildren and 69 great-great-great-grandchildren.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100308/NEWS01/100308071/1320/Oldest-African-American-113-dies-in-Detroit