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Oldest living American dies at her Charlotte home at 116

America's oldest person, who lived in Charlotte, passed away at her home this weekend. Hester Ford was 116 years old.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — America's oldest person, who lived in Charlotte, passed away at her home this weekend.

Hester Ford was 116 years old and the oldest living American. Ford died on Saturday surrounded by family.

Ford leaves behind quite a legacy, including 12 children, 48 grandchildren and 108 great-grandchildren. In a statement, family said Hester "was a pillar and a stalwart to our family."

She was born in 1904 in Lancaster, South Carolina.

Ford grew up working on a farm, planting and picking cotton and plowing the fields.

Ford's husband of 45 years died in 1963, more than 50 years ago.

In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford lived through the 1918 flu pandemic.

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