Margaret Skeete, 115; Oldest American

RADFORD, Va. — Margaret Skeete, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest American, died Saturday at her home. She was 115.

Mrs. Skeete had been bedridden since a fall three weeks ago and died in her sleep, said her daughter, Verne Taylor.

Guinness listed Mrs. Skeete for the first time in its 1993 edition, after verifying her age from an 1880 census that listed her as a 2-year-old, Mrs. Taylor said.

Mrs. Skeete was born Oct. 27, 1878, in Rockport, Tex. When her husband died 41 years ago, she moved from Texas to Virginia to live with Taylor’s family.

She outlived two children.

Mrs. Skeete was unimpressed by her longevity. “I guess that’s something, but it doesn’t buy me anything,” she said at her 115th birthday party in October. Her daughter said she maintained a craving for sweets until a few weeks ago.