Oldest Living RN Dies on Her 108th Birthday

RICHMOND HEIGHTS — Clyantha Stanford Glover, believed to be America’s oldest living registered nurse, died today on her 108th birthday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights.

Her family and friends had planned to mark the day with a cake and celebration this afternoon.

Mrs. Glover was born Jan. 16, 1901, in Paris, Texas. She outlived three siblings. She came to St. Louis in 1923 to attend nursing school at the Homer G. Phillips School of Nursing. She graduated in 1926 and was thought to be the oldest living graduate. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, the city’s second oldest Black Baptist Church.

She died about 6 a.m. with her son, Julian Frank Glover, 69, by her side. Her second son, David, died in Vietnam.

Glover said his mother was one of the nicest people in the world. He said about a month ago, she experienced shortness of breath and went to St. Mary’s for treatment. She was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.

“She spent about a week in there and then about a couple of weeks in Delmar Gardens and she had difficulties yesterday and we took her back to St. Mary’s,” he said.

Mrs. Glover lived in Northland Senior Apartments last month’s hospitalization.

“She didn’t have too many medical problems,” her son said. “She wanted to see Obama get into the presidency. She came up under the segregation law. She was real proud of Obama… She wanted to see that and she also wanted to see her birthday and she saw that.”

A birthday celebration for family, friends and members of her church had been set for 2 p.m. today at Delmar Gardens North in Florissant. The party was cancelled. Glover picked up his mother’s cake, which had been decorated “Happy 108th Birthday, Mama.”

Mrs. Glover retired from Homer G. Phillips Hospital in 1968, according to her son.

Mike Pagano, activities director at Delmar Gardens, said Glover had all her wit and was a sweetheart of a lady.

© YellowBrix 2009