Michigan's oldest resident dies at 114

Bonita B. Gibson, believed to be Michigan's oldest living resident, has passed away at the age of 114. Her death marks the loss of a remarkable life spanning over a century, positioning her as the second oldest person in the United States and the seventh oldest globally.

A life forged through depression and dancing

Born on July 4, 1911, in Missouri, Gibson’s early years were shaped by a farming upbringing. She recounted to CBS Detroit in 2023 meeting her future husband, Kenneth, during high school. Their marriage lasted 72 years, a testament to enduring partnership. The couple navigated the hardships of the Great Depression, sustained by their own produce and livestock—a stark contrast to the widespread scarcity of the era.

The family later relocated to Idaho, engaging in the state's prominent potato industry. Gibson fondly recalled the social vibrancy of the 1950s and 1960s, a period marked by regular weekend dances with friends. She and Kenneth had one son, Richard, who survives her.

“The birth was exceedingly hard, so I thought, I don’t think I want to do this again,” Gibson reportedly quipped, a testament to her resilient spirit. After Kenneth's passing, she moved to Metro Detroit to be closer to her grandchildren, eventually welcoming ten great-great-grandchildren into the family.

Visitation and services are scheduled for March 24th at John N. Santeiu & Son in Garden City, Michigan, with burial to follow in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Her long life offers a tangible link to a bygone era, a reminder of strength and adaptability in the face of profound change.