Gerontology Research Group or census data

Elizabeth Francis, America's Oldest Person Who Lived Through 20 Presidents, Dies at 115

Oct 24, 2024, 01:00 PM

Elizabeth Francis, the oldest living person in the United States, died on Tuesday in Houston at the age of 115. Born on July 25, 1909, in Houston, Texas, Francis was the third-oldest person in the world at the time of her death, the fourth oldest person in US history, and the 54th oldest person ever recorded. She lived through 20 presidents and witnessed more than a century of historical milestones, including the sinking of the Titanic, both World Wars, and the civil rights movement. Francis was known for her joyful and faith-filled demeanor, and her motto was 'Treat people like you want to be treated.' She is survived by a daughter in her 90s, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her older sister, Bertha Johnson, died at age 106 in 2011, making them one of the oldest sibling pairs. Francis was considered 'America's Grandmother' and a 'Houstonian icon.'