Human Race

DIED: American supercentenarian Edna Parker, who became the world's oldest person in August 2007, died Nov. 26 at the age of 115. Maria de Jesus of Portugal, 115, now holds the title of world's oldest person.

DIED: Odetta Holmes Felious Gordon, known to American folk music fans around the world as just Odetta, died Dec. 2 of heart disease at age 77. Odetta resurrected spiritual songs by American slaves for the '60s generation and civil-rights activists, influencing singers such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

HELPING: When Christian music artist Michael Kelly Blanchard, 60, received an offer in 2006 with the U.S. Army's Strong Bonds Marriage Enrichment Retreat, he says he jumped at the opportunity. During the retreat weekends intended to strengthen Army marriages, Blanchard tells stories and uses his own music to address the hardship couples face after long deployments. Blanchard told WORLD Strong Bonds retreats use music to connect couples to "the merciful heart of God."

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December 13, 2008, Vol. 23, No. 25

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