Gainesville — Music minister Daniel Banke’s great-grandmother is one of a select group of individuals known as supercentenarians — individuals who have lived 110 or more years.

Besse Cooper — Banke’s maternal great-grandmother — did more than join the supercentarian population. She has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living person.

The retired teacher lives at a nursing facility in Monroe, Ga. and has “surprisingly few health problems,” he said.

Banke — who serves at First United Methodist Church and is also director of the North Central Texas Chorale — said his  beloved “Memom” has accomplished an astounding feat.

In addition to her status as “Oldest living person,” Cooper — who turned 116 on Aug. 26 —  is one of the ten oldest people ever verifiably recorded and is, according to her Wikipedia page “the last verified living person born in 1896.”

Only Cooper and seven other people have lived to the age of 116 or older.

“It’s amazing really,” Banke said. “It’s staggering.”

Cooper’s unprecedented longevity has brought her fame.

National and international media outlets have told her story. Monroe, Ga. officials named a bridge for her.

Cooper was unable to attend a ceremony at the bridge but reportedly sent a wry comment — “I’m glad I gave them a reason to name it.”

Banke said his great-grandmother has slowed down in the past ten years but hasn’t lost her wit and analytical skills.

“She’s still very direct in the way she talks to you,” he said.

Banke’s memories of his great-grandmother involve family dinners on special days.

“I grew up very close to her,” Banke said. “Her birthday celebrations were like family reunions every year. We always had three big occasions when we’d get together,” he said. “Her birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

As Cooper grew older the notoriety surrounding her advancing age increased.

“There would be enormous get-togethers with 100 people or  more,” he said. “Elected officials would attend. Now just a few go in at a time to see her.”

Banke said his great-grandmother is an independent type who lived in her own home “on a ton of land” until about ten years ago. She credits sensible eating habits with keeping her healthy.

“She’s all about healthy foods,” Banke said. “She says she avoids junk food and so do I for the most part.”

Healthy habits aside, Banke said he remembers his great-grandmother sometimes prepared sumptuous treats for her family his favorite dessert was deliciously simple.

“She made, probably, the best custard in the world,” he said.

Cooper was born Besse Berry Brown in Sullivan County, Tennessee. She was the third of eight children born to Richard Brown and Angeline Brown. Biographical information prepared by Banke’s uncle states that Cooper loved reading as a child and graduated from East Tennessee State Normal School in 1916.

She was a young adult during World War I and Banke said the experience apparently made an impression on the young woman.

“She would talk about World War I the way others talk about War World II,” he said.

Banke said it’s also interesting to note his great-grandmother’s birth year — 1896 — is also the year of the world’s first Olympiad.

She was also a fan of President Theodore Roosevelt and shared memories of traveling the Tennessee River in a houseboat, Banke said, adding, “It was a treasure to hear her stories.”

Cooper’s life has slowed in the past decade, he said, but her faith remains unchanged.

“She’s a very strong Christian,” Banke said. “Her faith has been vital throughout her life.”