America’s Oldest Living Person, Hester Ford of Charlotte, Turns 116 Saturday

“[…] Mary Hill and Clayton Harris, two of Ford’s grandkids, said they have planned a giant drive-thru celebration for their granny this weekend.

“We are doing a re-do of 115 and celebrating 116 coming into,” Hill said. “So we are excited about the cars coming back in and just acknowledging her and letting them know that we love her.” 

Ford has been living in the same home in Charlotte for more than 58 years. 

“We are just glad to be apart of the fabric of Dalebrook and of Charlotte, North Carolina,” Hill said. 

Her family said she’s lived in the same home for more than 50 years because [Charlotte] is home. 

“Her church is 5 minutes away, she loves her church,” Hill said.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has forced Ford to stay inside her home and miss church, which had always been her favorite place to go.

“She usually calls once a month the first Sunday of the month, but with the virus. She hasn’t been able to go,” Hill said. So they always send CDs and the deacons come and give her communion.” 

Hill said her grandmother has received so much love and support from, not only her blood family but also her church family.

“Just the love, the outpouring of love is so important,” Harris said. “Yes, you know, we thank God for that. Just being able to embrace that love.” […]”

Read more about Ford’s memories of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic here.