Violet Moss Brown died Friday in Jamaica. Brown, who was born on March 10, 1900, became the world’s senior senior citizen in April following the death of previous record-holder Emma Morano, who also was 117 at the time of her demise. Russell, 85, said his mother didn’t look well on Saturday and was taken to a doctor who said she was dehydrated. Just days after she was named world’s oldest person in April, her son, Harold Fairweather died at age 97.
Brown’s achievement made her a local celebrity. She had visits from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Dr. Devon Dick, president of Jamaica Baptist Union.