Nationwide — Willie Mae Jackson, who is from Jacksonville, Florida, and Sallie Chatman, who is from Folkston, Georgia, recently turned 110 and 107. Both women are among the oldest Black women in Georgia and Florida and are part of a rare group of Americans who live past a century.
Both women have lived through major moments in history, including world wars and the Great Depression. They have seen the country shift from early cars and horse-drawn travel to smartphones and modern technology. Their lives stretch across more than a century of change in the United States.
Jackson’s milestone places her among a rare group known as supercentenarians, people who reach age 110 or older. Experts say only a small number of Americans ever reach that age, and records may not capture everyone. The Gerontology Research Group estimates there are around 70 verified living supercentenarians in the U.S., according to 11Alive.
Now living in a Jacksonville nursing home, Jackson still keeps a steady routine centered on faith. She attends church every Sunday when services are brought to the facility. Family members say her faith has stayed constant since childhood and remains a big part of her daily life.
Jackson often speaks simply about how she views aging and life. She encourages younger people to stay connected to faith and says her own journey has been guided by belief and purpose. When asked about her secret to long life, she keeps it short, saying, “Just keep living.”
In Folkston, Sallie Chatman also marked a major milestone with her 107th birthday this June. Her family says she stays active at home, often moving quickly enough that her walker has bells attached so they can track her. She credits her longevity to clean living and no alcohol.
Chatman also spends her days enjoying simple routines like watching traffic, reading comics, and talking with friends and family. She avoids certain foods, including chicken, eggs, and turkey. Her daughter says she also keeps a strong faith and rarely worries about life’s challenges.
Together, Jackson and Chatman have built long lives shaped by faith, family, and everyday habits. Their families say their legacy is not just about age, but about resilience, love, and the time they continue to share with generations around them.