“Six Sisters from Missouri: A World Record for Family Longevity and Unbreakable Bonds”

I have always been fascinated by these families that seem to defy time, those that manage to stay close despite the passing years. It reminds me of my own aunts, who still get together every summer to tell stories of their youth, even after all these years, they never miss an opportunity to reminisce about childhood memories. Well, it seems I am not the only one who has this kind of admiration. Picture this: six sisters from Missouri, who not only share an unbreakable bond, but also hold a world record for the oldest combined age of six living sisters. Yes, you read that right, these incredible ladies have a combined age of almost 571 years old!
Extraordinary Sisters
The sisters, hailing from the Overall family of Farmington, include Norma Jacob (101), Lorene Kollmeyer (98), Maxine Cole (97), Doris Griffith (94), Margaret Norton (90), and Elma Jennings (88). It takes your breath away, doesn’t it? In March 2024, Guinness World Records confirmed their combined age of 570 years and 40 days. When I read that, I couldn’t help but think, “What an incredible longevity and unique family bond!”
But wait a minute, how did these ladies achieve this world record? Well, it wasn’t without effort, believe me! Maxine Cole, one of the sisters, revealed that the idea to apply for the title came from her nephew, Dean—a pretty clever mind, if you ask me. He noticed that their combined ages might make them eligible. And like any good nephew who respects his aunts, he took matters into his own hands. But mind you, it wasn’t just a matter of raising your hand and saying, “Here we are!” The sisters had to provide over 100 documents to prove their ages and their history—birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records, and even photographs. It’s almost like filling out mortgage forms—a real mammoth task!

I don’t know about you, but when I read that these sisters grew up during the Great Depression, it reminded me of how resilient our ancestors truly were. They’ve been through so much together—wars, societal changes, and so many other upheavals. And yet, their bond remains as strong as an old rusty but unbreakable chain. Maxine shared how close they’ve always been, even though some of them have left their hometowns at some point. “We’ve always been close,” she said. “Three of us are still here in Farmington and we get along great.” And I think of my own siblings and I think, if only we could say the same…

Maxine also mentioned that when they were younger, they would travel together, Washington, D.C., to theme parks like Silver Dollar City in Branson. Oh, those trips must have been fun! Maybe a little chaotic with all the different personalities—I mean, six sisters, that’s a lot of arguing about which road to take or what song to listen to in the car! But that’s what makes the memories even more precious, right? Now, with age and different life situations due to their needs and health issues, they continue to cherish their relationship. It reminds me of my Aunt Viviane and her love of travel—even at 83, she never misses a chance to pack her bags and go on an adventure.

So what has kept them so close all these years? Maxine attributes it to their upbringing and their parents, good old fashioned principles. “We were all raised in the church. Our parents taught us to live the Golden Rule, to be kind and to love one another.” And really, in our often torn world, isn’t that a great lesson to learn?

Regarding the impressive record, Maxine said she felt “really blessed” to have been a part of it. She expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity, saying they were “very grateful.” For her and her sisters, this global recognition has opened up “a new world.” And honestly, I think it just goes to show that no matter how old you are, there are always new adventures to be had, new stories to be written.

Ultimately, what this story reminds us of is the importance of family bonds, love, and resilience. She shows us that even through the most difficult times, there is strength to be found in our roots. So thank you, ladies, for our