Naomi Whitehead, America’s oldest living person, celebrates her 116th birthday

Naomi Whitehead, recognized as America’s oldest living person, recently celebrated her 116th birthday on Sept 26, 2026, according to LongeviQuest.

Whitehead reached the milestone surrounded by nearly 90 relatives in Greenville, Pennsylvania, many traveling from across the country to honor her life and legacy. The gathering took place at St. Paul’s Senior Living Community, where she now resides.

A Life That Began on a Georgia Farm

Whitehead was born Naomi Washington on Sept. 26, 1910, in Patterson, Georgia. She grew up working on her family’s farm, helping pick cotton and tobacco. In 1930, she married Sylvester Whitehead, and they raised three sons: Parrish, Elbert and Sylvester. Parrish died in 2011.

Whitehead became the oldest living American in October 2024, following the death of 115‑year‑old Elizabeth Francis of Texas. She is also recognized as the second‑oldest living person in the world, behind 117‑year‑old Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom.

Honors and Recognition

Representatives from LongeviQuest attended the celebration and presented Whitehead with a plaque formally recognizing her status as the nation’s oldest living person. Pennsylvania state Sen. Michele Brooks also delivered a proclamation in her honor.

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A Legacy of Longevity and Faith

Whitehead has long credited her longevity to hard work, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, strong family genetics, and faith in God. Her life now spans more than a century of American history, from rural Georgia to national recognition as a supercentenarian.

Whitehead’s 116th birthday marks a rare milestone. She is the first known American to reach age 116 since the death of Edie Ceccarelli in 2024.