Ruby Drakeford

Ruby Lee Drakeford (née Markham; 25 January 1892 – 29 December 2004) was an American supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). She was the oldest known person in the state of North Carolina at the time of her death.

Biography
Ruby Drakeford was born Ruby Lee Markham in Durham, North Carolina on 25 January 1892 as the eldest of six children born to James William Markham and Ianna Rebecca (née Leigh) Markham. After graduating in 1912, she worked as a teacher until her retirement in 1958 aged 66.

In May 1933, Ruby married William White Drakeford, but the couple had no children. William died on 28 November 1955 aged 57 after 22 years of marriage.

After a fall, Drakeford moved into a nursing home in 1991, where she enjoyed watching Jeopardy! and writing letters to her only surviving sister Katherine (Markham) Johnson, who died unexpectedly on 24 December 2002 aged 94. Drakeford lived in Durham, North Carolina for her entire life. Her claim was verified by Robert Young and validated by the GRG on 15 October 2003.

Drakeford passed away on 29 December 2004 at the age of 112 years, 339 days. Her doctor stated that she had died of old age but was developing pneumonia.