Hester Ford, who was the oldest living American, has died at the age of 116 - leaving behind no less than 108 great-grandchildren.
According to the Gerontology Research Group, at 116 years old, Ford was the oldest living American - although some believed she was actually born in 1905, making her 115.
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Ford's family said she passed away at her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she had been a key member of the community since the 1950s.
Announcing her death in a statement, which was shared on Facebook, her family said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother Hester McCardell Ford today.
"She was a pillar and stalwart to our family and provided much needed love, support and understanding to us all. She was the seed that sprouted leaves and branches which is now our family.
"God saw fit to make her the matriarch of our family and blessed us to be her caretakers and recipients of her legacy."
Born in Lancaster County, South Caroline, Ford grew up on a farm planting and picking cotton, ploughing fields and cutting wood.
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She married her husband in 1921 and went on to have 12 children, 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.
The family's statement continued: "Her light shined beyond her local area and she lived beyond a century with memories containing real life experience of over 100 years.
"She not only represented the advancement of our family but of the Black African American race and culture in our country. She was a reminder of how far we have come as people on this earth. She has been celebrated all over the world by local governments, community leaders, social media, foreign dignities and Presidents as a cherished jewel of society for holding the honour of being the oldest living person in America.
"Although she has passed, her legacy and memory will continue to live on through her family and everyone she has touched to make the world a better place for generations to come.
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"In closing, we would sincerely like to thank everyone for their support, extended gratitude as we keep her legacy alive. As we pause from our day-to-day activities let us reflect on how far we have come and where we are aspiring to go in the name and legacy of Mother Hester McCardell Ford."
The family added that funeral arrangements would be announced soon.
Her death makes a Nebraska woman called Thelma Sutcliffe - who was born 1 Oct 1906 - the nation's oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
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