Gertrude Bains - World's Oldest person

Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest person at 115, died on September 11, 2009 at the Western Convalescent Hospital in Los Angeles. Born in Shellman, Georgia, Ms Baines was the daughter of a former slave. Her only child died when she was 18. She also outlived all of her relatives. Last year, she was in the news for voting for Barack Obama in the presidential election.

On Jan 2nd, she became the world's oldest person after the passing of 115 year old Maria de Jesus of Portugal.

She had been at the hospital since breaking her hip at 107. She enjoyed doing interviews and watched television, including the Jerry Springer show.

During her adult life she lived in Ohio, working as a maid at Ohio State University. She later moved to Los Angeles where she lived by herself, with the help of a caretaker, until she turned 107.

With her passing, the oldest person living is Kama Chinen, a 114 year old Japanese woman.