Miriam Bannister

Miriam Sparks Bannister (19 March 1817 – 9 April 1928) was one of the earliest supercentenarians. Born in Salcombe Regis, Devon, England, to John and Hester Voisey, she married John Bodman Banister in 1850 at the age of 33. She later moved to the United States in 1854. She attributed her longevity to "simple foods, avoidance of overeating and abstinence from worry". When she died in St. Louis, Missouri, she was 111 years 21 days old, but was never the oldest living person due to the longevity of American women Louisa Thiers and Delina Filkins. She was congratulated by George V as "the oldest living British subject" shortly before her death.