Edna Parker

While Parker's 100th birthday was celebrated by her family and recognised in the local newspaper,[10] by the time she reached 109, the occasion was noted state-wide.[8] On her 111th birthday in 2004, she received accolades from both the state governor and the president.[11] The Boston University New England Centenarian Study took a sample of Parker's DNA in 2006, as part of a study of the genetics of extreme longevity.[5] In January 2007, Parker became the oldest person in the United States,[12] and seven months later, following the death of Yone Minagawa of Japan on August 13, 2007, she became the oldest person in the world. The occasion is recorded as a "Moment of Indiana History".[13] Parker featured in an episode of Mark Dolan's documentary The World's ... and Me in 2008,[14] and in another documentary called How to Live Forever, released in 2009.[15] On her 114th birthday, she received a letter from Vice-President Dick Cheney, who thanked her for “sharing her wisdom and experiences” with younger generations,[16] received the key to the city of Shelbyville from the Mayor, and was visited by the state Governor and Senator.[17] On April 21, 2007, she met with Bertha Fry of Muncie, who was 113 at the time,[18] which set the highest combined age (227 years 142 days) for a meeting of two supercentenarians; both were awarded certificates in person by a representative of Guinness World Records.[19] Parker lived in the same nursing home as Sandy Allen, the tallest living woman verified by Guinness World Records, until Allen's death on August 13, 2008.[20] Parker reportedly did not offer an explanation for her long life, and simply advised questioners that the most important thing was "more education".[18]

The Heritage House Convalescent Center planned two parties to celebrate her 115th birthday, a public celebration one and a private family one. One hundred fifteen multicolored balloons were released at each, because Parker enjoyed watching them float into the sky.[21] Parker was included in a book for children, Girls are Best (2009), as the oldest woman in the world.[22] She died at her nursing home seven months after her birthday, on November 26, 2008, aged 115 years 220 days. Her death was reported around the world.[23][24][25] Parker is buried in Shelbyville's Miller Cemetery.[26] After her death, a Portuguese woman Maria de Jesus became the world's oldest person.[7]