Hester Ford (Credit: The Ford family) CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Hester Ford, the country’s oldest living citizen, died Saturday at the age of 116, according to the family."It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother Hester McCardell Ford today," the family posted on Facebook. "She was a pillar and stalwart to our family and provided much needed love, support and understanding to us all."According to officials in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Hester McCardell Ford was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina, on August 15, 1904.