East Texan Considered World’s Oldest

DALLAS (AP) – A 114-year-old East Texas woman is now considered to be the oldest person in the world. Eunice G. Sanborn of Jacksonville gained that distinction after 114-year-old Eugenie Blanchard, a nun who was considered the world’s oldest person, died Thursday on the French Caribbean island of St. Barts. The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group listed Sanborn as being born on July 20,1896. Blanchard’s birth date was Feb. 16, 1896. Dr. L. Stephen Coles told The Associated Press that, with the death of Blanchard, the group considers Sanborn the oldest person in the world. Coles also says he spoke to Sanborn’s family Thursday and “she’s doing well. There’s no doubt.” Sanborn told the Tyler Morning Telegraph, in an April interview, that she loves everything about her life and has “no complaints.”