Six sisters hailing from Missouri, USA, have officially been recognized for holding the record for the highest combined age among living siblings.
The Overall sisters, whose ages span from 88 to 101 years old, collectively tally an impressive 571 years and 293 days. While the eldest sister, Norma, now resides in Ohio, her five siblings—Lorene, Maxine, Doris, Margaret, and Elma—still call Missouri home.
Throughout their lives, these remarkable women have experienced and endured significant historical events spanning several decades, including the Great Depression, World War II, and most recently, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the occasional disagreement, Elma shared that they have always maintained a close bond, never holding onto grudges. They even have a tradition of wearing numbered shirts indicating their birth order during their joint trips.
To honor their shared heritage and birthdays—three of the sisters were born in July—they continue their childhood tradition of gathering for a summer picnic every year.
“This recognition as record holders has been an exciting time for these sisters, who are now in the twilight of their lives,” expressed Norma’s son, Dean Jacob.
Reflecting on their lifelong friendship, Janet Douglas, a schoolmate of Elma, described them as a tight-knit, vibrant group who deeply cared for their only brother, Stanley.
Tragically, Stanley, who would have turned 102 this year, passed away in a bicycle accident at the age of 81. “We believe he would still be with us today if not for that unfortunate accident,” Dean lamented.
Stanley’s daughter, Gail Agers, expressed how proud her father would have been of his sisters’ achievement. “He would have been thrilled and very proud of all his sisters because they meant the world to him,” she shared with KMOV.
The Overall sisters join other notable sibling groups who have set records for their longevity and familial bonds. Larry A. Brown, Lon B. Brown, and Gene C. Brown of the USA hold the record for being the world’s oldest living male triplets, celebrating their 93rd birthday in 2023. Meanwhile, Umeno Sumiyama and the late Koume Kodama of Japan were the oldest identical twins ever, reaching 108 years of age before Koume’s passing in 2022.
In 2022, the Hernández-Pérez siblings from Spain were recognized for having the highest combined age among 12 living siblings, totaling an impressive 1,058 years and 249 days.
The Overall sisters’ achievement stands as a testament to their enduring sisterhood and the remarkable milestones they have shared throughout their lives.
You Might Be Interested In:
