Time catches up to oldest of us all

September 13, 2009 - THE epic yet simple life of Gertrude Baines encompassed the reigns of 21 American presidents...

Ms Baines celebrated her 115th birthday this year by declaring that she wanted to be around to vote for Mr Obama again in 2012. But she will not fulfil that wish.

...Ms Baines, who died in her sleep of suspected heart failure on Friday at the Western Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles, where she had lived for 11 years.

She was 115 years and 158 days old, having celebrated her last birthday in April with music, cake and congratulations from Mr Obama.

Ms Baines, who lived on her own until she was 105, became the planet's longest living human in January after Portuguese woman Maria de Jesus died.

She attributed her longevity to her religion, clean-living and eating what tasted good.

According to MSNBC.com, Ms Baines enjoyed ''simple pleasures'' of eating a diet of bacon and eggs, and watching shows such as The Price is Right and Jerry Springer. She was a daughter of a man born into slavery and granddaughter of former slaves.

''She told me that she owes her longevity to the Lord, that she never did drink, never did smoke and never did fool around,'' her doctor, Charles Witt, said.

Born in 1894 in Georgia, Baines outlived her entire family. Baines worked as a maid at the University of Ohio dormitories until her retirement. ''I did not have a lot of fun as an adult but I enjoyed going to church every Sunday,'' Baines once told an interviewer.

Asked what advice she had for others she said: ''Treat everybody right, and ask God. I have no secrets for long life and I do not have any disappointments in my own life.''...

http://www.smh.com.au