Edna Parker of Shelbyville, Indiana, was born on Apr 20, 1893 - when Queen Victoria still ruled the British empire and before X-rays were even invented.

Parker was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest person in August 2007 following the death of Japanese Yone Minagawa, who was four months her senior.

According to the research group, which maintains a list of the world's oldest people, Parker was the 14th oldest validated supercentenarian in history.

The oldest person on its list is now Ms Maria de Jesus of Portugal, born Sept 10, 1893, and currently 115 years, 78 days old.

By definition a supercentenarian is anyone who has been validated to have lived to be 110 years or older.

The GRG currently recognise 89 validated living supercentenarians around the world, 79 Women and 10 Men. -- AFP