Elizabeth Francis, the oldest living person in the United States, passed away peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 115. At the time of her death, Francis was also the third-oldest person in the world, according to the global database LongeviQuest, which tracks the world’s oldest individuals.
A life spanning 20 U.S. Presidents
“Ms. Elizabeth was a Houstonian icon and a cherished member of the community,” LongeviQuest said in a statement, highlighting her remarkable legacy. Born on July 25, 1909, in Louisiana, Francis lived through 20 U.S. presidents, beginning with William Howard Taft. Though she spent her early years in Louisiana, she moved to Houston, Texas, after her mother died when Francis was just 11. Separated from her five siblings, she was raised by her aunt in Houston, where she lived for the rest of her life.
A family-oriented life in Houston
Francis resided with her 95-year-old daughter, Dorothy Williams, and her granddaughter, Ethel Harrison. She never drove a car but worked outside the home, running a coffee shop at a Houston TV station during the 1970s and 1980s. Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, emphasized the importance of Francis’s family and community. “One thing that she really exemplified, more than almost anyone I’ve met, is the strength of family and community,” Meyers told Fox News Digital.
Francis was also an active member of her local church, which provided her with a strong sense of community. “She lived at home and was the oldest person in the world to do so. It’s really pretty extraordinary,” Meyers added.
Francis’s long life, supported by her close-knit family and church, serves as a testament to the power of community, Meyers noted. “It’s very difficult for people to reach that age in isolation.”