Records especially in sports are set and broken depending on the preparedness and natural talent of the athlete.But longevity records are something else. The oldest living person in the world (Guinness World Records) Besse Cooper just turned 116 – one hundred and sixteen years old.

Guinness claims Cooper is one of only eight people who have reached 116. In honour of Cooper's achievement, a bridge was named after her in Monroe, Ga, where she lives by the Walton County Board of Commissioners. 

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday, Aug. 24 for the bridge opening. According to her son Sidney Cooper, she has become wittier with age. She was glad she gave her country a reason to name the bridge after her. 

Besse Cooper was certified as the world's oldest person by Guinness World Records in January 2011, although she briefly had to give up her title when it was discovered that Brazilian-born Maria Gomes Valentin was 48 days older. But when Valentin died six months later, Cooper was reinstated as the world's oldest person.

Cooper was born in Sullivan, Tennessee in 1896.  She moved to Monroe during World War I to become a teacher. In 1924, she married her husband Luther and the couple had four children. Today, Cooper has 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, according to the Guinness World Records.

Besse has a secret to achieving 116 years of life. "I mind my own business," she told the Guinness World Records. "And I don't eat junk food."

A great lesson from a centenarian – avoid junk food and mind your business.