Worlds Oldest Person Celebrates 116th Birthday

Born on May 23, 1899, Talley became the world's oldest person after Gertrude Weaver died at 116 in Arkansas in April, according to the Gerontology Research Group, which validates the ages of the world's longest-living people.

Asked how she felt to be one year older, Talley said, "Okay, I feel okay."

The celebration took place at the Gracie See Pastaria restaurant, and Frank Costello, who works there, was very impressed with the milestone.

"Mind boggling in a way. God love her, God bless her," said Costello.

The restaurant welcomed Talley with a banner, balloons and birthday cake.

Talley's 77-year-old daughter, Thelma Holloway, put the event in perspective.

"You're the oldest person in the world, she says that's what they say," said Holloway.

Talley, who worked in a laundry washing and ironing, lives with Holloway.

Talley was born in Georgia and moved to Michigan in 1935 with her husband, Alfred Talley, for his job at a Ford plant. He died in 1988.

Holloway said her mother has maintained an active lifestyle, bowling until she was 104.

Talley now mostly stays at home or visits family members' homes and remains active in the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Inkster, where a front row seat is kept for her.