Ettie Mae Greene

Who was Ettie Mae Greene?

Ettie Mae Greene née Thomas was an American supercentenarian who was recognized by Guinness World Records as the 'oldest living American' in 1991. She was born in Wayside, West Virginia, and worked as a seamstress and a farmer. In an interview in 1991, she claimed that her longevity was due to her "good, clean living" and a milkshake she drank every day.

Greene died of a cold at the Springfield Comprehensive Care Center in Springfield, West Virginia. At the time of her death at the age of 114 years 171 days, she had nine children, 21 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren and 37 great-great-grandchildren. She still holds the record for being the oldest person in the state of West Virginia.