Gertrude Baines

Gertrude Baines (born April 6, 1894) is an American supercentenarian who is currently, at age 114, the second-oldest living person in the world, since the November 26, 2008 death of fellow American woman Edna Parker, the oldest living person in the United States and the oldest living African American (not to be confused with the oldest African American to ever live, Lucy Hannah). She lives in Los Angeles. Aside from her arthritis and her not being able to walk, Baines is very healthy and has never had a seriously sick day in her life.

Born in Shellman, Georgia, she recalls that her first memory was that of being in a car ride to Canada. She later married Sam Conly at a "very young age" and had a daughter, Annabelle, who died of typhoid fever at age 18. Baines currently lives at the Western Convalescent Home in Jefferson Park, Los Angeles. She lived on her own until she was 105.

When asked what she credited to her longevity, she answered, "God. Ask him... I took good care of myself, the way he wanted me to."

Baines, a daughter of former slaves, cast a vote for Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The only time she voted before was for John F. Kennedy.

As of November 11, 2008, Baines has surpassed Carrie Lazenby's (1882–1996) record of (114 years 218 days), to become the oldest person ever born in the state of Georgia.

As of November 28, 2008, aged (114 years 236 days), Baines is listed as one of the 30 longest lived people ever. With the death of Minnesota woman Catherine Hagel, Gertrude Baines is the last person verified to have been born in 1894, although Maria de Jesus is older than she.