Between Bridge to be Named for World's Oldest Person

Monroe is home to the world's oldest living person on record - . On her next birthday, Cooper will be 116 years old. When she celebrates that major milestone in her life, and in history, Cooper will likely be doing so knowing that the

Cooper moved to Between in 1917, at the age of 19, to teach. She never left and now, at the age of 115, lives in a nursing home in Monroe.

An effort to have a road or bridge in the local area named after her has resulted in the new bridge over the Alcovy River in Between slated to be named the Besse Cooper Bridge. The Walton County Board of Commissioners voted last week to approve the naming of the bridge after Cooper in honor of her status on the world stage, and her contribution over many years to the local community

Construction on the new bridge is close to completion and the hope is it will be ready to do so before her birthday on Aug. 26, 2012. When the bridge is named, it is unlikely that Cooper herself will be able to attend the ceremony. However, her son, Sydney, and other family members will likely be in attendance to acknowledge the honor on her behalf.

Commissioners also voted to name the park in Between after two local WW II veterans, Emmett Holder and Floyd Cook.