An elderly woman from Houston has recently been recognized as the oldest living person in the United States by LongeviQuest, a global organization that monitors human longevity.
Elizabeth Francis has become the oldest living American at the age of 114 and 217 days, following the passing of Edie Ceccarelli, the previous oldest living American who died at the age of 116 on Feb. 22 in California, as reported by LongeviQuest.
Francis is currently ranked as the fifth-oldest individual on the planet, as per LongeviQuest.
She is listed among the supercentenarians, individuals aged 110 and above, confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group, an organization that authenticates and monitors the world’s oldest individuals.
This secret doesn’t belong to me. Francis stated in an August 2023 interview that it is the good Lord’s blessing. “I am grateful to be alive.”
Francis came into the world on July 25, 1909, shortly after William Taft took office as president and 11 years prior to women gaining the right to vote in the US.
She has experienced two World Wars, the 1918 Influenza, and the Covid pandemics.
The supercentenarian resides with her 94-year-old daughter, Dorothy Williams, in a private residence where caregivers visit the home daily, according to Francis’ granddaughter Ethel Harrison as reported by TODAY.com.
“It’s simply incredible,” remarked Harrison, 68. “She only had one child, so we’re really thankful that she’s still with us, as is my mom, who is her daughter.”
Centenarian Francis: Longevity Amid Memory Challenges
Francis comes from a family with a history of long life. One of her sisters lived to be 106, and her father passed away at 99, according to Harrison.
Harrison mentioned that Francis is experiencing memory issues and is bedridden, but she remains mentally sharp and can identify her loved ones.
Strive to always do your best for everyone. “Love everybody,” Francis stated.
Harrison revealed some of Francis’ healthy habits in an interview with TODAY.com, such as maintaining social connections and supportive relationships, eating fresh, home-cooked foods, and having faith.
“She attempted various methods to maintain her health,” Harrison stated. Her life was quite straightforward.
She refrained from attending parties and similar events. She preferred staying at home. She was a regular churchgoer.
According to Francis’ granddaughter, her grandmother never smoked or drank alcohol, and she maintained a regular walking routine until her early 90s.