115-year-old Elizabeth Francis passed away peacefully. Francis, the third oldest person in the world, lived a long and extraordinary life. Born in 1909, Francis witnessed 20 U.S. presidents throughout her lifetime. Born in Louisiana, she moved to Houston to live with her aunt after losing her mother at the age of 11, and spent the rest of her life there. Active in her working life, Francis managed a television station's cafeteria in the 1970s and 80s. She never drove a car, but was always active in social life. She had particularly strong ties with the community at her church, which she attended regularly. In her later years, Francis lived with her 95-year-old daughter Dorothy Williams and her granddaughter Ethel Harrison. She had three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, stated that the secret to Francis's long life was her strong family and community ties. Meyers said, "It is very difficult for people to reach this age alone. What allowed Francis to live so long were the strong bonds she had with her family and the people around her." A beloved member of the Houston community, Francis left behind a large and loving family.
|