Mary Tankursley

Mary Tankursley (née Pearson; 21 February 1901 – 28 December 2011) was an American supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography
Mary Tankursley was born in Caviness, Lamar County, Texas, USA on 21 February 1901. Her parents were Edmund Harrison Pearson and Laura Ellen (née Caviness) Pearson. She had eight siblings.

She graduated from Paris High School in 1918. Upon completion of the course of studies at Paris Commercial College, she moved to Dallas, Texas where she was employed as a secretary.

While attending Ervay Street Methodist Church, she met Onnie C. Tankursley. They married on 14 July 1923. The couple had two daughters: Maxine Shadle and Carolyn Allen. She was widowed in 1968.

In 1934, they moved to Paris where she continued employment as the Executive Secretary at National Farm Loan Association which later became Federal Land Bank of Paris. She later worked for David E. Rainey Insurance Company and as a proofreader for the Lamar County Echo. At the age of 105, she moved to Denton, Texas, to live with her daughter Maxine Shadle.

Mary Tankursley died in Denton, Denton County, Texas, USA on 28 December 2011 at the age of 110 years, 310 days. She was survivied by two daughters, Maxine Shadle and Carolyn Allen, eight grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, many of nieces and nephews.