Mary West

Mary Buford West is an American supercentenarian who is currently pending. She was born in Howard County, Missouri, on October 23, 1903, as the only child to store-owners James and Ella West.

After graduating from the University of Illinois, she worked as a history teacher, beginning in 1925. She was also a chairman at the social science department in Maywood, Illinois. In 1947, West visited the United Nations due to her love of American history. She retired in 1969, when she was 65.

She moved to a nursing home in 1981. West never married and has no close relatives today.

She has stated that the secret to her longevity is eating an apple a day. She is currently the 7th oldest Missouri-born person of all time. The record is held by Ora Holland.