The oldest person in the world celebrated her 116th birthday in Brooklyn. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.
It wasn't long after Susannah Mushatt Jones entered the Vandalia Active Adults Center that she received a roar from the dozens on hand to celebrate her 116th birthday.
"It's been just amazing just to witness it and see how significant it is," said Myra Simpson, Jones' grandniece.
Known as "T" to relatives and Miss Susie to folks in the neighborhood, she is the oldest person on the Earth, born July 6, 1899. Her niece showed everyone on hand a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records making that official.
Miss Susie, who was born in Alabama but came to New York in 1923, was showered with gifts, including a Brooklyn Nets Jersey with her age on it and a dance performance from local students. Then, of course, a big cake.
Miss Susie is blind and hearing impaired, but she still has a healthy appetite. She eats a daily breakfast of bacon and grits and still enjoys an occasional stick of chewing gum.
She never had kids, but she helped raise some of her 100 nieces and nephews, many of whom were here for the big bash.
"She has been an inspiration to this world that she has lived to be 116," said Lecettie Simpson, Jones' niece. "I won't probably see that again in my lifetime. Will you?"
For the young students who performed for Miss Susie, they said it was an honor. They said they are inspired by her longevity, and the way she has lived her life."
"It's an honor to actually meet somebody that's the oldest person in the world," said Julius Dinal, a student at I.S. 234. "And the fact that she's in New York, it's a miracle, because we're right here."
"It kind of makes an impact on us, showing how we should live our lives to be able to live that long," said Justin Thomas, a student at I.S. 234.
After all of the attention, Miss Susie was able to say a few soft words to the crowd.
"Thank you. I love you too," she said.
Which means a lot coming from a woman who has been on the planet longer than anyone else.