America’s oldest living person, Elizabeth Francis, has died at the age of 115

Texas resident Elizabeth Franciszkaoldest known living person in America, died.

The supercentenarian died on Tuesday at the age of 115.

“It is with sadness that we announce the death of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Francis”, according to LongeviQuest, an organization that monitors and tracks the world’s oldest people. “Ms. Elizabeth was a Houston icon and valued member of the community“

The organization reported that at the time of her death, Francis was the third oldest known living person in the world and one of the longest-living people in United States history.

said Francis’ primary caregiver and granddaughter, Ethel Harrison Washington Post. her mother celebrated her 115th birthday in July with a large cake covered with flowers and vanilla cream.

Born in 1909 in Louisiana, Francis lived with her daughter Dorothy Williams in their Houston home.

After her mother died, she and her five siblings were sent to different homes, and Francis ended up in Houston, where she was raised by her aunt.

Francis gave birth to Williams in 1928, raised her alone and ran a coffee shop in Houston. She ran the company for almost two decades and retired in 1975.

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Francis’ secret for long life

Francis attributed her longevity to her faith in God, expressing her thoughts, and eating whatever she wanted. She didn’t need a wheelchair to get around until she was almost 108 years old.

“If the Good Lord gave it to you, use it. “Speak what you think, don’t hold your tongue,” she said last year, citing her best advice.

She said she does not smoke or drink, except for the occasional glass of wine.

Elizabeth Francis’ sister lived to be 106 years old

Francis wasn’t the only relative in her family who lived to be well over 100 years old. According to LongeviQuest, her older sister Bertha Johnson died at the age of 106 by 2011, making them “one of the oldest pairs of siblings”.

In February, after his death, Francis became the oldest living person in the United States Edie Ceccarelli California which died on February 22 according to LongeviQuest – 116.

Who is the oldest known living person in America?

Oldest living person in America, by organizationis now Naomi Whitehead114, born September 26, 1910

Who is the oldest living person in the world?

Japan Tomiko ItookaAt 116 years old, he is the oldest known living person in the world. She was born on May 23, 1908.

This story has been updated to correct an age typo.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her at X @nataliealund.