Oldest American dies at Iowa nursing home at 114 years, 245 days old; Texas woman now oldest

Oldest American dies at 114 years old in Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa — An Iowa woman who became the oldest living American less than a month ago has died.

Neva Morris of Ames, Iowa, was 114 years, 245 days old. The North Crest Community nursing home says she died about 4 a.m. Tuesday with her son-in-law at her side.

Morris became the oldest living American on March 8. The Gerontology Research Group of Los Angeles says Eunice Sanborn of Jacksonville, Texas, is now the oldest living American at 113 years, 260 days old.

Morris’ son-in-law, Tom Wickersham, said last month that Morris had vision and hearing loss but was “quite mentally alert.” She also liked to sing “You Are My Sunshine” nearly every day.

The Ames Historical Society says Morris was born Neva Freed on Aug. 3, 1895. She married Edward L. Morris in 1914.