Happy116th Birthday!

Bessie Cooper has seen a lot in her life.  Born in 1896 she has witnessed the turn of not one, but two centuries.  At 116 years old she is officially the oldest person in the world.

Mrs. Bessie Cooper, 116 Years Old

Good Morning America covered Mrs. Cooper's celebration and according to their report, "In honor of Cooper's achievement, a bridge was named after her in Monroe, Ga., where she lives by the Walton County Board of Commissioners, according to the Walton Tribune.  A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday, August 24 for the bridge opening.  "The older she has gotten the more wittier she has gotten," her son, Sidney Cooper, told the Walton Tribune.  He also related a message from Cooper, who was unable to attend the ceremony, who said, "I'm glad I gave them a reason to name it."

Cooper was named the oldest person in the world by Guinness World Book of Records back in January 2011 but briefly lost the title when a woman in Brazil was discovered to be 48 days older.  Since then she has reclaimed her title and instead of 116 individual candles on her birthday cake, the number signifies her intention of having a very happy birthday.  For more on this story please go to: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/worlds-oldest-person-besse-cooper-turns-116-154351161--abc-news-topstories.html