Elizabeth Francis, the oldest known living person in America, passed away at the age of 115. She was the third-oldest person in the world and one of the 21 longest-lived people in U.S. history. Francis credited her longevity to her faith in God and the freedom to eat whatever she wanted, while also speaking her mind. She lived with her daughter Dorothy Williams in Houston, where she ran a coffee shop for nearly two decades before retiring in 1975. Francis’ sister, Bertha Johnson, lived to be 106, making them one of the oldest sibling pairs. Following Francis’ death, America’s oldest living person is now Naomi Whitehead, who is 114 years old. The world’s oldest living person is Tomiko Itooka of Japan, who is 116 years old.
Francis celebrated her 115th birthday with a sheet cake and attributed her mobility to her wheelchair use only beginning at the age of almost 108. She led a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking and drinking, with the exception of an occasional glass of wine. Her daughter spoke highly of her mother’s strong character and the impact she had on Houston as an icon in the community. Before Francis, the oldest living person in the U.S. was Edie Ceccarelli, who passed away at the age of 116 in February. Elizabeth Francis will be remembered for her long and impactful life.
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