( CNN ) -- Mississippi Winn did n't get caught up in the amazing statistics that accompanied someone her age . Only 1 in 5 million people in the industrialized world live to be 110 . About 60 people that age live in the United States , with another 300 or so scattered around the globe . Nine of 10 are women . Winn was believed to be the oldest living African-American when she died Friday afternoon in Shreveport , Louisiana , at 113 . Investigator Milton Carroll of the Caddo Parish Coroner 's Office said he was not permitted to disclose a cause of death , but a relative said Winn -- who was nicknamed `` Sweetie '' -- had been in declining health since last autumn . Robert Young , a senior claims researcher with the Gerontology Research Group and a senior consultant for Guinness World Records , visited Winn at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in July 2010 . `` She looked to be in very good shape , '' he said Saturday . `` It was a surprise she went downhill so fast . '' Young believes Winn 's parents were born into slavery . Her father was born in 1844 and her mother in 1860 . But Winn `` never discussed it , '' said her great-niece Mary C. Hollins of Shreveport . `` She would say , ' I do n't know about that . ' '' Winn , who did not marry and lived independently until 103 , appears to have lived a life that made her especially well-qualified for the elite club of supercentenarians -- those who live to be 110 or older . `` She had always been kind to others , '' Hollins said on Saturday . `` She was always respectful . '' Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover said the city has honored several centenarians . `` We have declared March 31 as Ms. Mississippi Winn Day since her 110th birthday , '' he wrote in an e-mail . `` Our thoughts and prayers are with Miss Winn 's family , relatives , her beloved Pastor Clarence Hicks and her church family and friends who all loved and cherished her , '' he said . The secret to living to and past 110 , besides not having an unhealthy weight , said Young , is a positive attitude and emotional and physical stability . Most supercentenarians take little medication during their lives , he said . `` They do things in moderation , '' he said . `` They do n't get upset . '' Most were still walking at age 105 , he added . Born in Bossier Parish , Louisiana , on March 31 , 1897 , Winn moved with her family to Shreveport after her father died in 1908 . One of 15 children , eight of whom lived to adulthood , Winn had a sister who lived to be 100 and a brother who lived to 95 . She worked as a domestic , cooking and helping families raise children . She worked in Kansas City for a time and lived in Seattle , Washington , from 1957 to 1975 , helping to raise three boys , before returning to Louisiana . Winn had a child who died at age 2 , Hollins said . Before she moved to the nursing home , Winn lived on her own , doing her own laundry and walking around a track for exercise . She never learned to drive . Instead , she got rides or took a bus to the grocery store . She liked bingo and sewing and loved to cook vegetables and stewed chicken . Said Hollins : `` She did n't make much over modern things . '' Winn was clear about what she liked . `` She was a disciplinarian , '' said Hollins . Right or wrong , it was her way . '' A member of Avenue Baptist Church , Winn received visits from church members and was able to attend a service on August 29 . The chuch will hold her funeral next Saturday . She outlived many of her church friends . `` When each one passed I could see part of her leaving with them , '' said Hollins , whose grandmother was Winn 's sister . In time , Winn came to enjoy the attention paid to her age . But she remained even-keeled , said Hollins , recalling what her great-aunt would say . `` I 'm just going to stay here until he 's ready for me . '' The oldest known African-American is now Mamie Rearden of Edgefield , South Carolina , who is 112 . The world 's oldest known living person is Eunice Sanborn , 114 , of Jacksonville , Texas , according to Young .
Mississippi Winn died Friday at age 113 . Her parents were apparently born into slavery . She was independent until 10 years ago . Score: 6