Bettie Bookout

Bettie L. Bookout (July 27, 1870 –  February 17, 1981) was an American verified supercentenarian. She was born as Bettie Ridley in Liberty County, Texas, and described her childhood as a pleasurable one. Sometimes, they would ride the Houston steam locomotive, or watch them pass by their house. Bookout had four sisters and two brothers. Her parents were Young Lafette and Amanda Day Ridley. Native Americans would sometimes ask her parents for something to eat and drink. Young Lafette, who had a law degree, was a Civil War veteran who got shot three times during the war. Afterwards, he became a farmer and later a businessman. He died in December 1885 when Bookout was still a teenager.

Bettie Ridley became Bettie Bookout when she married Robert L. Bookout on December 23, 1894, in Peoria. They worked in farming until 1912, when he was appointed Hill County District Clerk and City Tax Assessor-Collector. Bettie became a widow in 1931. She then founded a grocery store called Bookout Grocery Store.

On the occasion of her 108th birthday, she said that she didnt have any secrets for longevity: ”I just try to stay as happy as I can”. However, it was revealed that she eats a lot of protein. Bookout died on February 17, 1981, at the age of 110 years, 205 days.